In the longest trial yet of a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, dulaglutide has been shown to reduce major adverse events when added to usual therapies for patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease or CVD risk factors.

Writing in the Lancet, the authors say the study shows a reduction in the number of patients developing macroalbuminuria compared with those on placebo over a mean follow-up of 5.4 years.

The REWIND study, funded by drug manufacturer Eli Lilly, included around 9900 people with type 2 diabetes, with and without CVD, who were randomised to either a weekly injection of dulaglutide (1.5mg) or placebo.

At baseline, all patients were aged over 50 (mean age 66, 46% female), median HbA1c was 55mmol/mol, and 22% of patients had an estimated eGFR of <60mL/min/1.73m².