Developing a Comprehensive Approach for Managing Cardiorenal Metabolic Diseases (CRMD) in Saudi Arabia: Thinking beyond Single Disease-Literature Review and Multidisciplinary Consensus Report.
Alshaikh. Abdulrahman A; Alshehri. Ali A; Alzubaidi. Lamya L; Elbadawi. Hussein H; Alsaeed. Abdulghani A; Almehthel. Mohammed M; Aldahash. Raed R; Alsabaan. Fahad F; Alotaibi. Metib M; Alghamdi. Khalid K; Alamri. Hussein H; Bakhsh. Abdulmohsen A; Evans. Marc M; Issak. Emad R ER; Alsifri. Saud S
Key Findings
- Semaglutide cuts HbA1c by about 1‑1.5% and drives 10‑15% sustained weight loss.
- It reduces major cardiovascular events by roughly 20‑26% in large trials (SUSTAIN‑6, SELECT).
- It slows kidney function decline and lowers liver fat, suggesting benefits for CKD and fatty‑liver disease.
Practical Outcomes
- Start semaglutide early if you have obesity, diabetes, or related heart/kidney/liver issues, using the recommended dose‑titration schedule. Monitor blood sugar, weight, kidney function, and liver health regularly. Combine the drug with lifestyle changes for the best multi‑organ benefits.
Summary
The paper says semaglutide, a GLP‑1 drug, not only lowers blood sugar but also helps you lose weight, protects your heart, kidneys and liver, and is safe enough to be used as a core treatment for people with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or fatty liver. It recommends early screening and personalized dosing, fitting well into Saudi Arabia’s health plans, but the ideas apply to anyone looking to improve metabolic health.
Abstract
Cardiorenal metabolic disease (CRMD) encompasses a cluster of interrelated conditions-including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)-that share common pathophysiologic pathways and amplify morbidity and mortality risks. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, has demonstrated robust evidence across randomized controlled trials and real-world studies in improving glycemic control (mean glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] reduction of 1.0-1.5%), inducing sustained weight loss (average 10-15%), and reducing major adverse cardiovascular events (by 26% in SUSTAIN-6 and 20% in SELECT). Its potential renal and hepatic benefits, including slower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline and reduction in liver fat content, highlight its suitability for integrated CRMD management. This consensus report was developed through a structured, multiphase Delphi process involving endocrinologists, cardiologists, nephrologists, hepatologists, and public health experts from across Saudi Arabia. A comprehensive literature search (PubMed, Scopus, and Saudi Digital Library [2016-2024]) prioritized high-quality evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and regional data. The panel reached consensus on key recommendations: (1) early identification and holistic management are critical for effective CRMD control; (2) adults at risk should undergo systematic screening for metabolic, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, and cognitive complications; and (3) semaglutide should be positioned as a cornerstone therapy given its multiorgan benefits and favorable safety profile. Implementation strategies emphasize the careful selection of patients, individualized dosing, patient education, and integration into national pathways. In alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, incorporating semaglutide into CRMD management, supported by provider training, multidisciplinary care models, and cost-effectiveness analyses, can significantly reduce the national burden of metabolic disease and CVD.
Study Information
pubmed
2025
2025-11-29T00:00:00.000Z
10.1007/s13300-025-01826-4
48