Finerenone for CKD May Reduce Cardiac Issues Associated with Type 2 Diabetes

Research has shown that there is a relationship between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, an umbrella of diseases that include damaged blood vessels, blood clots, and other issues. In patients with both chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease highly affects quality of life (QOL) and survival rates. However, shares Diabetes In Control, a drug called finerenone could be the key to addressing these issues.

Finerenone

According to the American Heart Association, common forms of cardiovascular disease include:

Heart attack
Arrhythmia
Heart disease
Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke
Heart valve problems

In clinical trials, finerenone reduced cardiac failure and mortality rates in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Researchers want to continue evaluating how effective finerenone is in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease in these patients.

5674 patients enrolled in one study, with an average follow-up time of 2.6 years. To enroll, patients had to be at least 18 or older with a heightened albumin-to-creatinine ratio. Patients were also required to have type 2 diabetes. Those with diabetic retinopathy, an ocular issue caused by diabetes, were included in the study. Additionally, patients were required to have taken either an ACE inhibitor or ARB for one month. Those with CKD who did not have type 2 diabetes were not included. Of the patients who enrolled, 46% (2610) had both type 2 diabetes and CKD.

Findings from the study include:

Patients taking finerenone had less cardiovascular disease-related issues, lower mortality and hospitalization rates, and a lesser chance of cardiovascular disease than those taking a placebo.
Those taking finerenone were more likely to have a stroke than those taking a placebo. However, because there was only a 0.1% difference between the groups, the data is not statistically significant.
Hyperkalemia, or high levels of potassium in the blood, was a side effect of finerenone.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Typically, chronic kidney disease (CKD), or chronic kidney failure, is caused by kidney damage and impaired kidney function, usually resulting from another condition. Thus, CKD is defined as progressively worsening kidney damage. Because the kidneys fail to filter waste out of the body, electrolytes, fluids, and waste accumulate. An estimated 26 million Americans have CKD. Some of the conditions which can cause CKD include type 1 or 2 diabetes, polycystic kidney disease, pyelonephritis, and high blood pressure. Symptoms include:

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
High blood pressure
Spleen and liver enlargement
Nausea and vomiting
Appetite loss
Stunted growth
Muscle pain and twitching
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Changes in urination
Shortness of breath / difficulty breathing
Pruritus (intense and persistent itching)
Swelling of the lower extremities
Sleep interruptions