GLP-1s Lower Pancreatitis Complications, Mortality in T2D
Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who received glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists had a significantly lower risk of developing local or systemic complications — even if they developed acute pancreatitis — and showed more than a 50% reduction in risk for all-cause mortality than those who did not receive these medications. METHODOLOGY: Patients with T2D may experience heightened local and systemic complications from acute pancreatitis, often requiring prolonged and intensive care; however, data on outcomes among those treated with GLP-1s remain limited, highlighting a significant knowledge gap.
Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study using population-based data to evaluate the influence of GLP-1s on acute pancreatitis risk and associated outcomes in patients with T2D identified between January 2015 and October 2023.
The analysis included 20,459 patients with T2D who received GLP-1s including semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, or tirzepatide (mean age, 58.1 years; 49.85% women); the patients were propensity score–matched with those not receiving these medications.
The primary outcome was the development of acute pancreatitis and the subsequent clinical trajectory of affected patients, including the need for parenteral nutrition, the occurrence of systemic complications, and the incidence of local pancreatic complications. The secondary outcome was all-cause mortality. TAKEAWAY: Patients who received GLP-1s tended to have a lower risk for acute pancreatitis than those who did not, although this finding was not statistically significant.
However, among patients with acute pancreatitis, those who received GLP-1s had a significantly lower risk of developing complicated pancreatitis (hazard ratio [HR], 0.32; P = .05) and a reduced need for parenteral nutrition (HR, 0.28; P = .01) than those who did not receive these GLP-1s.
= .05) and a reduced need for parenteral nutrition (HR, 0.28; = .01) than those who did not receive these GLP-1s. The risks for systemic complications, including sepsis, acute kidney injury, shock, and the need for mechanical ventilation, were significantly lower in patients who received GLP-1s than those who did not ( P < .001 for all).
< .001 for all). The risk for all-cause mortality was 55% lower in those who received GLP-1s than in those who did not (HR, 0.45; P < .001). IN PRACTICE:
'[The study] results provide a compelling rationale for reconsidering GLP-1s as not only antidiabetic agents but also as key components in the management of diabetes-related complications, including AP [acute pancreatitis],' the study authors wrote. SOURCE:
This study was led by Luis M. Nieto, MD, Division of Digestive Diseases, Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta. It was published online in The American Journal of Gastroenterology . LIMITATIONS:
This study did not discuss any limitations. DISCLOSURES:
This study received no specific funding. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
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Medscape Medical News © 2025 WebMD, LLC
Cite this: Edited by Archita Rai. GLP-1s Lower Pancreatitis Complications, Mortality in T2D - Medscape - May 23, 2025.
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