New research indicates that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, may offer an added benefit for individuals with diabetes: a reduced risk of developing dangerous blood clots. The study, presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting, found a 20% decrease in the odds of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in diabetes patients using GLP-1 drugs compared to those using DPP4i medications. Given the prevalence of GLP-1 agonists, these findings suggest a potential to reduce the overall burden of VTE at a population level.
VTEs, including pulmonary embolisms and deep vein thromboses (DVTs), are serious conditions that can lead to hospitalization and death if untreated. To investigate the potential protective effect of GLP-1 medications, researchers tracked outcomes for over 558,000 individuals in a major healthcare database. Patients were divided into two groups of approximately 279,000 each: those taking a GLP-1 agonist and those taking a DPP4i, an older class of diabetes medication that does not typically result in weight loss.
After one year, the incidence of VTE was 6.5 per 1,000 patients in the GLP-1 group, compared to 7.9 per 1,000 in the DPP4i group. This translated to a 20% reduction in clot risk with GLP-1 use. The observed decline included both pulmonary embolisms and DVTs. Notably, the clot risk reduction appeared consistent regardless of the patient's obesity status, suggesting that the mechanism may not be solely weight loss-related. Further studies are needed to determine the precise mechanism by which GLP-1 agonists influence clotting risk.
Implications and Future Research
While this retrospective study demonstrates a significant association, it cannot confirm causation. According to Dr. Rushad Patell, lead author of the study, a prospective clinical trial is necessary to validate these findings. Nevertheless, the current data may inform treatment decisions for diabetes patients at risk of thrombosis. "If you’re selecting an antidiabetic agent for a patient and thrombotic risk comes into play, this data suggests that there may be some advantage to choosing a GLP-1 receptor agonist," Patell stated.
The study's findings, while preliminary, offer a promising avenue for further research into the pleiotropic effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists beyond glycemic control and weight management. Further investigation into the mechanisms underlying the observed reduction in VTE risk could lead to improved strategies for preventing thromboembolic events in high-risk populations.
