Khaberni - A recent study showed that innovative weight loss medications, such as semaglutide, the active ingredient in popular drugs like "Ozempic" and "Wegovy", give end-stage kidney failure patients a new opportunity to qualify for a kidney transplant.
The study, conducted by the School of Medicine at Saint Louis University in collaboration with SSM Health doctors, explained that semaglutide helped patients lose significant weight; participants lost an average of 9.3 kilograms after one year of treatment.
According to the results, about half of the patients (48.3%) who were previously ineligible were listed on kidney transplant waiting lists.
More than a third of the patients who were dependent on insulin completely stopped using it, according to "Medical Express".
The lead researcher, Dr. Francis J. Wade, an assistant professor of internal medicine and a specialist in obesity medicine, said: "Obesity is a major barrier in the field of organ transplantation. Many patients are ideal candidates, but if their body mass index is too high, they are often overlooked. These results show that new medical treatments can help bridge this gap."
Dr. Krista Lentine, the study's author and assistant director of the nephrology department at Saint Louis University, said: "The results show great potential for semaglutide as a promising non-surgical option to support weight loss and help more patients qualify for organ transplantation."
The study indicated that the drug is generally well tolerated, with gastrointestinal symptoms being the most common among patients, forcing about 16.7% of them to stop the treatment because of them.
The study emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary care; patients receive comprehensive support including dietary consultations, exercise guidelines, regular follow-ups, along with pharmacotherapy, to enhance the chances of success and achieve optimal results.
