Skip to main content

GLP1RAs Tied to Greater Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy Progression Than SGLT2is

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on July 26, 2024.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, July 26, 2024 -- In patients with diabetes and established diabetic retinopathy (DR), treatment with glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs) is associated with increased risks of DR progression compared with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), according to a study published online July 19 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.

Donna Shu-Han Lin, M.D., from Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, and colleagues examined the effects of GLP1RAs and SGLT2is on the development or progression of DR. Analysis included 1,517 patients treated with a GLP1RA with DR and 9,549 without DR and 3,034 patients treated with an SGLT2i with DR and 19,098 without DR.

The researchers found that in patients with preexisting DR, the incidence of any DR progression event was significantly higher in the GLP1RA group than the SGLT2i group (subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.50). This risk of progression was driven by increased risk of tractional RD. In patients without DR at baseline, the groups had similar risk for all ocular outcomes.

"The hazards of retinal events associated with GLP1RA use are probably accentuated in those with a higher baseline risk; whether this is related to more rapid glycemic control with GLP1RA use remains to be elucidated," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Racial Disparities Identified for Time to Diagnosis of Huntington Disease

FRIDAY, July 26, 2024 -- Black individuals are diagnosed with Huntington disease (HD) at least one year later than White individuals, according to a study published online June 21...

Widespread Brain Structural Alterations Seen in Conduct Disorders

FRIDAY, July 26, 2024 -- There are widespread brain structural alterations apparent in conduct disorders, mostly in surface area, according to a study published in the August...

Gender-Based Variation Seen in Medicare Reimbursement for Surgery

THURSDAY, July 25, 2024 -- Considerable gender-based variation is seen in practice patterns and reimbursement among different surgical subspecialties serving the Medicare...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.