GLP1RAs tied to greater risk of diabetic retinopathy progression than SGLT2is

Medical Xpress / HealthDay / Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism ^ | July 26, 2024 | Lori Solomon / Donna Shu‐Han Lin et al

[ConservativeMind]

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.

Donna Shu-Han Lin, M.D. 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.

[ConservativeMind]

If you are a diabetic with diabetic retinopathy, when your doctor suggests one of the latest diabetes drugs, between SGLT2is (Jardiance & Farxiga) and GLP1RAs (Trulicity & Ozempic), you want to favor SGLT2is.

The difference in risk of progression is 50% higher with GLP1RAs.

[ConservativeMind]

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