Top in endocrinology: Semaglutide linked to optic neuropathy; CGM helps keep HbA1c down

Semaglutide was associated with an increased risk for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy — a form of optic neuropathy that can cause blindness — in adults with type 2 diabetes or obesity, recent data show.

Researchers conducted a single-center retrospective study of neuro-ophthalmic adult patients with a follow up of 3 years. They found that the risk for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy events was higher with semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy, Novo Nordisk) than non-GLP-1 receptor agonist medications.

“The best approaches to confirm, refute, or refine our findings would be to conduct a much larger, retrospective, multicenter population-based cohort study; a prospective, randomized clinical study; or a post-market analysis of all GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs,” Joseph F. Rizzo III, MD, a professor of ophthalmology and director of neuro-ophthalmology service at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston, and colleagues wrote.

It was the top story in endocrinology last week.

Another top story was about the beneficial impact of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) on adults with type 2 diabetes, who experienced significant reductions in HbA1c that were sustained for up to 1 year, according to a presentation at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions.

Read these and more top stories in endocrinology below:

Adults prescribed semaglutide may have increased risk for form of optic neuropathy

Adults with diabetes or obesity using semaglutide may have an increased risk for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, a common form of optic neuropathy, according to data published in JAMA Ophthalmology. Read more.

Sustained reduction in HbA1c for adults with type 2 diabetes after starting CGM

Adults with type 2 diabetes experienced a reduction in HbA1c within 3 months of starting CGM, regardless of insulin therapy, a presenter reported at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions. Read more.

Q&A: AI in diabetes care poses many challenges, benefits to patients and clinicians

AI in diabetes care is becoming more popular with various potential benefits for patients and clinicians as well as important challenges to keep in mind, according to a conversation between two diabetes experts. Read more.

Intensive therapy may blunt higher CVD risk for younger women with hypertension, diabetes

Women with type 2 diabetes diagnosed with hypertension at younger than age 50 years have an increased risk for CVD and could benefit from intensive antihypertension therapy according to data published in Diabetes Care. Read more.

GLP-1s tied to lower risk for 10 types of cancer compared with insulin in type 2 diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes who use a GLP-1 receptor agonist have a lower risk for 10 types of obesity-associated cancer compared with those who use insulin, according to data published in JAMA Network Open. Read more.