Common blood pressure drug class linked to 33% higher kidney risk in people with type 2 diabetes
A widely prescribed class of blood pressure drugs, DCCBs, was linked to a 33% higher risk of major kidney decline in people with type 2 diabetes, per a study presented at the European Renal Association Congress.
Research presented at the 63rd European Renal Association Congress found that dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers (DCCBs), a widely prescribed class of blood pressure medication, were associated with a 33% higher risk of major adverse kidney events in people with type 2 diabetes, even when patients were already taking newer kidney-protective drugs (RAS and SGLT2 inhibitors). The study tracked 31,031 adults with type 2 diabetes from 2016 to 2021; 12,172 (39.2%) were also taking DCCBs, while 18,859 were on other blood pressure medications. Patients were followed for a median of about 3.5 years. A major kidney event was defined as a drop of 40% or more in kidney filtration capacity (eGFR) or progression to dialysis or transplant. Lead author Dr. Timna Agur said the findings raise questions about whether DCCBs are always the best choice for patients already on modern kidney-protective therapy; researchers note the study was observational and call for further trials. Source: European Renal Association / EurekAlert, presented at the 63rd ERA Congress, Glasgow.