GLP-1 ⁣Receptor Agonists Show Promise in Reducing Risk⁢ of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Psoriasis in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

TOPLINE:

New research suggests that treatment with glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications may be associated with‍ a lower risk ⁢of developing hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) or psoriasis in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODOLOGY:

A comprehensive study analyzed data from 74,910 patients diagnosed with type ​2 diabetes, drawn from the All of Us Database between‌ May 2018 and October 2023. The​ patient cohort had a mean age of 65 years,with 56% being women and a demographic breakdown of 45% White and 23% Black individuals. Within this group, 19.5% of patients were receiving GLP-1 RA ⁤medications. The primary focus of the research was ⁢to evaluate the risks‍ for HS and psoriasis, with adjustments made to account for‌ the medications’ effects on⁤ diabetes control and weight loss.

KEY FINDINGS:

The study revealed significant associations between GLP-1 RA use and reduced risks for both HS and psoriasis.

Psoriasis ⁣and HS Prevalence: 1601 ⁢patients in ‍the study cohort were ​diagnosed with psoriasis, ⁢with a mean age of 68 years, 56.4% women, and a demographic split​ of 62.4% White and⁣ 12.2% Black individuals. Hidradenitis suppurativa was diagnosed in 601 patients, who ‍were younger on average (mean age 55 years), with a higher proportion of women (77.2%) and a ⁢different demographic profile (32.9% White and 41.3% Black individuals).
Reduced Risk for HS: Patients treated with GLP-1 RAs demonstrated a statistically significant lower risk of a future HS diagnosis. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 0.61, with a ​p-value ‌less than .001, indicating a protective‌ effect.
Reduced Risk for Psoriasis: Similarly, GLP-1 RA treatment was linked to a substantial reduction in the risk for​ a future psoriasis diagnosis. ‍The adjusted odds‍ ratio was 0.41, also with a p-value less than .001, underscoring its potential benefit.
Disease Onset: The average time from a T2D diagnosis to an HS diagnosis was 3.98‌ years, and to a psoriasis diagnosis was 3.44 years.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE:

“These⁤ findings support a protective effect against HS and psoriasis in patients with T2DM taking GLP-1 RAs autonomous of weight loss, ⁣smoking status, or glycemic control,” stated ‌the study authors. They⁣ further⁤ suggested that “future research should focus on prospective studies exploring the use of GLP-1 RAs as therapeutic tools to ​treat HS or psoriasis, prevent disease progression, and evaluate their effect in patients without diabetes.” ​this research opens avenues for considering GLP-1 RAs not just for diabetes management but also for their potential dermatological benefits.

SOURCE:

This groundbreaking study was led by Lauren ​M. Ching from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. The findings were published online on July 23, ‍2025, in the journal Jaad International.

STUDY LIMITATIONS:

The researchers acknowledged several limitations that⁤ could influence the interpretation of the‍ results.These include variations in data harmonization‍ across different study sites, a lack of detailed facts regarding disease severity, and potential⁣ selection ⁤bias inherent in the study design.

DISCLOSURES:

The study received no external ​funding. One author reported receiving financial support as ⁢an investigator, consultant, and speaker from pharmaceutical companies‌ including AbbVie, BMS, and ⁣Eli Lilly, as well as other drug manufacturers. ⁢All other authors declared no conflicts of interest.