Research Awards Recipients

Lay Abstract

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in Canada, and the number of people living with end-stage kidney disease has grown by 35% since 2009. New medications including a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists have been developed for the treatment of diabetes. These medications have been shown to improve blood sugar control, reduce blood pressure, and promote weight loss. Most importantly, large studies have shown that these medications also prevent people with diabetes from dying from cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in people receiving long-term dialysis. Despite this, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists have not been well studied in people living with advanced kidney disease. Therefore, it is currently unknown whether people on dialysis will benefit from this medication. This pilot study will randomize dialysis patients with diabetes to either receive a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist or placebo. This randomized controlled trial will be the first step in determining if glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists can be used safely in people with end-stage kidney disease. This will allow for a definitive study to be designed to answer whether these medications are effective in preventing events such as heart attacks and strokes in people with end-stage kidney disease.