GLP-1 agonists reduce risks for CV, all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes

A recently published meta-analysis found that GLP-1 agonists substantially reduced both cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The researchers noted that GLP-1 agonists are approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and have been known to reduce body weight and triglycerides, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, while also increasing heart rate.

“Outcome trials investigating CV effects of GLP-1 agonists reported conflicting results,” Pasquale Perrone-Filardi, MD, PhD, of the department of clinical medicine and surgery at the University of Naples, Italy, and colleagues wrote.

The researchers performed a meta-analysis of 77 randomized trials comparing GLP-1 agonists with placebo or active treatments in patients with diabetes (n = 60,434). Perrone-Filardi and colleagues evaluated rates of CV-related death, all-cause death, myocardial infarction, diabetic retinopathy, stroke, nephropathy and heart failure in all studies.

Patients assigned to GLP-1 agonists had a significantly lower risk for all-cause death (RR = 0.888; 95% CI, 0.804-0.979) as well as CV-related death (RR = 0.858; 95% CI, 0.757-0.973), the researchers reported.

However, Perrone-Filardi and colleagues wrote, GLP-1 agonists did not affect risks for MI (RR = 0.917; 95% CI, 0.830-1.014), heart failure (RR = 0.967; 95% CI, 0.803-1.165), stroke (RR = 0.882; 95% CI, 0.759-1.023), retinopathy (RR = 1; 95% CI, 0.807-1.238) or nephropathy (RR = 0.866; 95% CI, 0.625-1.199).

“Treatment with GLP-1 agonists in [type 2 diabetes] patients is associated with a significant reduction of all-cause and CV mortality,” the researchers wrote. “Although no significant effect on retinopathy was observed in trials comparing GLP-1 agonists with other active treatments or placebo, the significant increased risk associated with more severe reduction of HbA1c needs to be assessed in future studies.” – by Andy Polhamus

Disclosures: Perrone-Filardi reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a complete list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.