Ozempic being a household name, GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), a class of medications have garnered significant attention for their ability to treat diabetes, promote weight loss, and reduce cardiovascular risks. With their growing popularity and expanded indications, researchers have emphasized the need for a comprehensive understanding of their effects on various body systems. In a comprehensive study published in Nature Medicine, researchers aimed to evaluate the health outcomes associated with these medications while carefully accounting for potential confounders.
This meticulous approach included factors such as age, race, BMI, blood pressure, and glycemic control, as well as the presence of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, kidney dysfunction, and thyroid disorders. Additionally, health behaviors such as smoking status and vaccination history were incorporated to provide a comprehensive picture of patient characteristics. They ultimately found that patients on GLP-1RAs were associated with reduced risk of psychiatric conditions, seizures, neurological disorders, blood clotting disorders, infections, and respiratory conditions. However, patients on GLP-1RAs were also at higher risk of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastric issues, low blood pressures, kidney issues, and more.
The study highlighted the potential for GLP-1RAs to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), as well as markers of kidney disease progression (MAKE). However, the findings also underscored the importance of continuous monitoring, particularly as the drugs are prescribed to a growing population of patients. As Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, a clinical epidemiologist and nephrologist at the WashU Medicine-affiliated John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital in St. Louis, put it: “Given the drugs’ newness and skyrocketing popularity, it is important to systematically examine their effects on all body systems — leaving no stone unturned — to understand what they do and what they don’t do.”
The study serves as a reminder that even well-regarded medications require ongoing scrutiny. By leaving no stone unturned, researchers ensure that patients and clinicians have access to evidence-based guidance, maximizing benefits while minimizing risks. As GLP-1RAs continue to evolve as a cornerstone of diabetes and obesity management, studies like this one will play a critical role in shaping their future applications.
Sources: Nature Medicine, WashU Medicine
