Obesity as a risk factor of CKD progression: is there a role for GLP-1RA? | Peter Rossing, MD

In this insightful ERA Symposium video, Dr. Peter Rossing, MD, explores the complex relationship between obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD), highlighting the potential role of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) in managing CKD progression. As obesity rates are projected to soar globally, with over 1.5 billion people expected to be affected by 2035, the incidence of CKD is also on the rise, already impacting more than 800 million people worldwide.

Dr. Rossing delves into the interconnectedness of these conditions, explaining how obesity serves as a major driver for both diabetes and hypertension—leading causes of CKD—while also directly contributing to CKD through adipokine activity. Despite the challenges of sustaining weight loss through diet and exercise, recent advances in metabolic surgery and pharmacological interventions, particularly GLP-1RA-based therapies, have shown promising results in achieving and maintaining significant weight loss.

This presentation examines the potential of GLP-1RA therapies not only in reducing obesity but also in slowing CKD progression, though controversies remain regarding the best methods to evaluate kidney function during weight loss. Dr. Rossing discusses current studies and anticipates the outcomes of ongoing research, particularly regarding semaglutide, which has already demonstrated early efficacy in type 2 diabetes with CKD and is being further studied in non-diabetic obesity.

Join Dr. Rossing as he unpacks the challenges and opportunities in treating obesity-related CKD, providing valuable insights into the future of CKD management.