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Diabetes therapy

GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy Offers Cardiovascular and Renal Benefits in Type 2 Diabetes Patients Aged 80 and Older

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research conducted at the Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, has demonstrated the efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) in improving glycemic control and reducing adverse outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) aged 80 and older. The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, analyzed de-identified records from the TriNetX United States database, identifying 284,417 patients aged 80 with T2DM, including 12,032 new GLP-1 RA users and 28,230 new dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) users.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that GLP-1 RA users had significantly lower risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.81-0.91), major adverse kidney events (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.82-0.91), all-cause hospitalization (HR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84-0.97), and all-cause mortality (HR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.77-0.88) compared with DPP4i users.
  • The study also found that GLP-1 RAs may offer substantial cardiorenal and survival benefits in patients aged 80 years and older with T2DM.
  • The study's findings support the use of GLP-1 RAs as a therapeutic option in this high-risk, older population.
  • The study analyzed data from 2018 to 2022, averaging 3.2 years of follow-up per participant.
  • The results were based on a retrospective cohort study with a new-user and active comparator design.
  • Propensity score matching was used to minimize baseline differences.
  • Sensitivity analyses were performed to validate the findings.
  • The study was conducted at the Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, and involved a collaboration with the TriNetX United States database.

Statistics:

  • 284,417 patients aged 80 with T2DM were identified in the study.
  • 12,032 new GLP-1 RA users and 28,230 new DPP4i users were analyzed.
  • The mean age of the participants was 81.6 years, with 47.7% female and 67% White.
  • GLP-1 RA users had a significantly lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.81-0.91).
  • GLP-1 RA users had a significantly lower risk of major adverse kidney events (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.82-0.91).
  • GLP-1 RA users had a significantly lower risk of all-cause hospitalization (HR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84-0.97).
  • GLP-1 RA users had a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.77-0.88).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Reports from Shin-Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital Describe Recent Advances in Type 2 Diabetes (GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy and Cardiorenal Outcomes in Patients 80 Years Old With Type 2 Diabetes). Diabetes Week. November 3, 2025; p 354.
  • Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy and Cardiorenal Outcomes in Patients 80 Years Old With Type 2 Diabetes. 2025.

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