Blood test predicts heart and kidney risk in type 2 diabetes.
Blood test predicts heart and kidney risk in type 2 diabetes.
Blood Test Predicts Risk of Progressive Heart and Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Patients
A blood test could help predict the risk of progressive heart and kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, according to research published today in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers analyzed biomarker data from blood samples of 2,627 participants, who were part of the Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes with Established Nephropathic Passage Clinical Evaluation (CREDENCE) trial. The goal was to assess the effects of the drug canagliflozin on disease severity.
The scientists checked the biomarkers at the start of the study, the one-year mark, and the three-year mark. Based on the levels of the biomarkers, the researchers divided the participants into low, medium, and high-risk categories.
The results showed that people with the highest risk category demonstrated higher rates of progressive kidney failure and cardiovascular complications throughout the three-year follow-up period. This means that the blood test results can accurately predict the severity of heart and kidney issues in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
The study also found that participants taking canagliflozin had lower biomarker levels after one year and three years compared to those taking a placebo. After one year, all biomarkers in participants taking canagliflozin rose to only 10%, whereas those taking a placebo had an increase of 29%. These findings indicate that canagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor commonly used for type 2 diabetes treatment, can help reduce certain risks in individuals with the highest chance for complications.
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Canagliflozin, sold under the brand name Invokana, has some side effects like increased thirst, constipation, dry mouth, and increased urination. However, the benefits of reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks, stroke, and heart failure, outweigh the potential side effects.
Understanding Biomarkers
In this study, researchers used biomarkers to measure baseline conditions and examine how canagliflozin affected these biomarkers over a three-year follow-up period. Biomarkers are objective measures of a person’s health at a given moment, commonly used in diagnosing and treating specific conditions.
Some commonly used biomarkers include blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, cholesterol values, blood count, and hormone levels. By tracking biomarker concentrations and their changes from year to year, researchers can accurately predict cardiovascular and kidney outcomes.
The study findings indicate that biomarkers can be used to detect varying levels of risk and to target treatments more efficiently for individuals with kidney disease. Additionally, biomarkers can help doctors determine the effectiveness of treatments and assess a patient’s response over time.
Future Implications and Benefits
The results of this study further strengthen the accumulating data on the significant cardiovascular risk faced by people with type 2 diabetes. It also highlights the value of using biomarkers to predict major complications in these individuals and the consistent benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors like canagliflozin in reducing such events.
Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, an interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, California, commended the study, saying, “This study gives us tools to help us potentially risk-stratify our diabetic patients, identifying those with elevated biomarkers that might benefit the most from taking canagliflozin.”
Moving forward, biomarkers offer significant potential in monitoring the health outcomes of individuals with type 2 diabetes. By identifying biomarkers that correlate with the risk for adverse outcomes, doctors can better predict and prevent complications. The study showed how changes in biomarkers, seen after treatment with canagliflozin compared to a placebo, translated into a reduction in adverse outcomes.
It is essential to note that this study had some limitations, such as not all participants having available samples for biomarker measurement, representative bias, and missing values in biomarker data. Future research should address these limitations and further investigate the potential of biomarkers in personalized medicine and disease management.
In conclusion, this study highlights the significant role of biomarkers in predicting the risk of heart and kidney disease progression in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Being able to identify the severity of these complications and assess treatment effectiveness through a simple blood test can greatly benefit patients and healthcare providers alike. With further research and advancements in personalized medicine, biomarkers hold immense promise for improving the lives of individuals with type 2 diabetes.
