New research shows that two common drugs for type 2 diabetes may not provide the same benefits for Black individuals. Cardiovascular disease and kidney problems are major complications of type 2 diabetes. The study reveals that these drugs, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-Is) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs), help reduce the risk of these issues in White and Asian populations, but not in Black patients.

The findings, published by the Royal Society of Medicine, came from an analysis of 14 clinical trials. Researchers from the University of Leicester discovered that Black populations did not experience the same improvements in blood pressure, weight, or kidney function seen in other racial groups.

Lead researcher Professor Samuel Seidu expressed concern about this gap. He noted that Black populations tend to develop diabetes earlier and face more severe complications. The study suggests that better access to care and more targeted treatments are essential for at-risk groups.

The team believes multiple factors might explain this discrepancy. One issue could be the small sample size of Black participants in the trials, which ranged from 2.4% to 8.3%, compared to 66.6% to 93.2% for White populations. However, the consistent lack of benefit for Black individuals indicates there may be other reasons, possibly involving how the drugs interact with different racial groups.

Professor Seidu emphasized that doctors should not rush to stop prescribing these drugs to Black patients based solely on this research. More investigation is needed to understand the full reasons behind these disparities.

The study highlights the need for more inclusive clinical trials and personalized care in diabetes treatment.

Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240923/Research-reveals-disparities-in-diabetes-drug-efficacy-for-Black-populations.aspx