Common blood-pressure meds may raise kidney risk for type-2 diabetics

At the 63rd European Renal Association Congress, investigators reported that dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers, a widely prescribed class of blood-pressure medicines, were associated with a 33% increase in major adverse kidney events among individuals with type-2 diabetes. The analysis covered more than 31,000 patients between 2016 and 2021, all of whom were already on renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors.

Approximately 12,000 of the participants also received the calcium-channel blockers, while the remainder used alternative antihypertensives. The study defined adverse kidney events as either a 40% or greater decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate or progression to end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis or transplantation. Researchers hypothesize that the drugs may disproportionately relax afferent renal vessels, raising intraglomerular pressure and potentially worsening kidney damage. Dr. Timna Agur emphasized the need for further prospective trials to determine the safest blood-pressure regimen for patients with diabetic kidney disease.