Chronic Kidney Disease — Another Step Forward

This editorial discusses advancements in managing chronic kidney disease (CKD), focusing on the role of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, particularly empagliflozin, in slowing CKD progression. The EMPA KIDNEY trial demonstrated that empagliflozin reduced the risk of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in a broad range of patients, including those with or without diabetes and varying levels of albuminuria. While the benefits were most pronounced in patients receiving renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockers and those with higher albuminuria, the trial supports expanding the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in CKD management. The editorial highlights the need for further research to clarify the efficacy of these drugs in patients with normoalbuminuria and their mechanisms of renoprotection.

This editorial discusses advancements in managing chronic kidney disease (CKD), focusing on the role of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, particularly empagliflozin, in slowing CKD progression. The EMPA KIDNEY trial demonstrated that empagliflozin reduced the risk of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in a broad range of patients, including those with or without diabetes and varying levels of albuminuria. While the benefits were most pronounced in patients receiving renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockers and those with higher albuminuria, the trial supports expanding the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in CKD management. The editorial highlights the need for further research to clarify the efficacy of these drugs in patients with normoalbuminuria and their mechanisms of renoprotection.