A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that GLP-1 diabetes medications could help reduce the risk of depression compared to other diabetes treatments. The research compared the depression risk associated with GLP-1 drugs, SGLT2 inhibitors, and DPP-4 inhibitors.
Diabetes is a complex, chronic condition that requires constant management. The demands of managing diabetes, from the discomfort of insulin injections to the challenges of dietary control and regular exercise, can significantly affect a person’s quality of life. As a result, depression is a common comorbidity among people with diabetes.
GLP-1 receptor agonists have recently become more widely used due to their multiple benefits, including effective blood sugar control, cardiovascular protection, and improved kidney function. These medications are increasingly seen as a valuable part of diabetes treatment.
A study is currently investigating whether GLP-1 medications can help prevent depression, a common issue for people managing diabetes. Researchers analyzed Medicare patient data to assess the impact of GLP-1 medications on depression rates, comparing them to other diabetes treatments such as SGLT2 inhibitors and DPP-4 inhibitors.
The study was conducted in two parts. One part compared depression incidence between 14,665 patients on GLP-1 medications and 14,665 patients on SGLT2 inhibitors. The other part compared depression rates between 13,711 patients on GLP-1 medications and 13,711 patients on DPP-4 inhibitors.
All participants were aged 66 or older, had type 2 diabetes, and had no previous history of depression or use of antidepressants.
The results revealed that the risk of developing depression was similar between patients taking GLP-1 medications and those using SGLT2 inhibitors. A total of 961 patients on GLP-1 medications developed depression, which was 59 more than those taking SGLT2 inhibitors. However, GLP-1 medications were found to significantly reduce the risk of depression when compared to DPP-4 inhibitors. Among the patients on GLP-1 medications, 963 developed depression, which was 112 fewer than those on DPP-4 inhibitors.
This suggests that the risk of depression for patients on GLP-1 medications is approximately 10% lower compared to those on DPP-4 inhibitors. Additionally, the researchers observed similar results in subgroup analyses, noting that the longer patients were on GLP-1 medications, the lower their risk of developing depression.
In conclusion, the researchers determined that while the risk of depression was similar between GLP-1 medications and SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 medications significantly lower the risk compared to DPP-4 inhibitors.
