Nephrology: What You May Have Missed in 2025.

PubMed14 Apr 2026Annals of internal medicine● 3/10i

Nephrology: What You May Have Missed in 2025.

Akbari S, Alharbi S, Al-Magooshi A, Jarrar F, Sehgal AR

Finerenone plus empagliflozin combination data emerged alongside other nephrology findings including AI models for AKI prediction and interventions for patients on dialysis. Annual review article covering multiple 2025 nephrology studies across AKI management, kidney function factors, and dialysis complications. This provides the first mention of dual finerenone-empagliflozin use data, potentially signaling combination therapy development in chronic kidney disease.

Strategic Signal

The mention of finerenone-empagliflozin combination therapy signals potential label expansion discussions for Bayer's Kerendia beyond its current heart failure and CKD indications. This combination approach could strengthen Bayer's position against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly's GLP-1 agents in cardiorenal protection. US CMS and EU HTA bodies will likely require dedicated combination studies with hard outcomes data, not just review article mentions, to support reimbursement for dual SGLT2-MRA therapy.

KidneySGLT2Bayer Boehringer Ingelheim

Original Abstract

This article highlights some important nephrology studies published in 2025 that are relevant for many nonnephrologist physicians. Two studies examined aspects of acute kidney injury (AKI), including the use of sodium bicarbonate infusion to treat severe metabolic acidemia and the use of artificial intelligence models to predict AKI onset, severity, and complications. Three studies examined factors that may influence kidney function, including high-intensity long-term physical exercise, pregnancy, and the combined use of finerenone and empagliflozin. Three studies examined interventions to address common problems among patients receiving maintenance dialysis, including cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain, factor Xa inhibitors for atrial fibrillation, and fish oil for cardiovascular events.

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GLP-1CardiovascularKidneyType 2 diabetesDrug comparisonsEli Lilly Novo Nordisk

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Liver/NASHGLP-1Boehringer Ingelheim Novo Nordisk

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GLP-1SGLT2Type 2 diabetesCardiovascularReal-world evidenceNovo Nordisk Eli Lilly

Strategic Signal

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SGLT2CardiovascularKidneyAstraZeneca