GLP-1s Lower Mortality Risk in Type 1 Diabetes
- Adults with type 1 diabetes who used a GLP-1 receptor agonist or other incretin-based drug had lower risk for all-cause mortality, hospitalization and other clinical health outcomes than...
- Samita Garg, MD, associate professor of medicine at Cleveland clinic Lerner College of Case Western Reserve University and of the depNew research suggests that incretin-based drugs, initially developed...
- Researchers analyzed data from a large cohort of individuals with type 1 diabetes, comparing those who had been prescribed an incretin-based drug - including semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy, Novo nordisk),...
Key takeaways:
- Adults with type 1 diabetes who used an incretin-based drug had lower risk for all-cause mortality than nonusers.
- GLP-1 use was tied to lower odds for hospitalization and ED visits.
Adults with type 1 diabetes who used a GLP-1 receptor agonist or other incretin-based drug had lower risk for all-cause mortality, hospitalization and other clinical health outcomes than those not using a GLP-1, according to study data.
Samita Garg, MD, associate professor of medicine at Cleveland clinic Lerner College of Case Western Reserve University and of the dep
New research suggests that incretin-based drugs, initially developed for type 2 diabetes, may offer notable benefits for adults with type 1 diabetes as well. The study, presented at the recent American Diabetes Association (ADA) 84th Scientific Sessions, indicates a lower risk of mortality and hospitalizations among type 1 diabetes patients prescribed these medications.
Researchers analyzed data from a large cohort of individuals with type 1 diabetes, comparing those who had been prescribed an incretin-based drug – including semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy, Novo nordisk), tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound, Eli Lilly), liraglutide (Victoza/Saxenda, Novo Nordisk), dulaglutide (Trulicity, Eli Lilly), albiglutide (Tanzeum, GlaxoSmithKline; discontinued in the U.S.), exenatide (byetta/Bydureon, AstraZeneca; discontinued in the U.S.) and lixisenatide (Adlyxin, Sanofi-Aventis; discontinued in the U.S.) – to a control group who had never used such a drug. After adjusting for potential confounding factors using propensity score matching, the researchers found that those prescribed an incretin-based drug had a significantly lower risk for all-cause mortality (HR = 0.18; 95% CI,0.11-0.3; P < .0001) and reduced odds of hospital admission (OR = 0.3; 95% CI, 0.2-0.45; P < .0001), emergency department (ED) visits (OR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.43-0.71; P < .0001), endoscopy (OR = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.38-0.7; P < .0001), prokinetic prescriptions (OR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.57-0.96; P = .0238), and laxative prescriptions (OR = 0.52; 95% CI,0.43-0.63; P < .0001).
The benefits appeared consistent across different BMI categories. Adults without obesity, those with class I obesity (BMI: 30-34.99 kg/m2),and those with class II obesity (BMI: 35-39.99 kg/m2) all experienced fewer hospital admissions, ED visits, endoscopic procedures, prokinetic prescriptions, and laxative prescriptions when using an incretin-based drug. Furthermore, adults with any level of obesity had lower odds of needing antiemetics if they were on an incretin-based medication. Even among those with class III obesity (BMI: 40 kg/m2), the drugs were associated with fewer endoscopic procedures and laxative prescriptions.
Researchers emphasize the need for further investigation. “Long-term prospective studies will be essential” for assessing the safety and durability of these drugs in the type 1 diabetes population, according to researcher Dr. Garg. As off-label use of these agents grows, particularly in patients with obesity or insulin resistance, continued research is warranted.