Cited by 128Diabetes Treatment and ManagementDiabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and LipoproteinsHeart Failure Treatment and Management

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 43 of the 47 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 5 of the 50 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: A Review

Open access

Abstract

Importance: Recent randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) reduce cardiovascular events in at-risk individuals with type 2 diabetes. Despite these findings, GLP-1RAs are underused in eligible patients, particularly by cardiologists. Observations: To date, randomized clinical trials of albiglutide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, and injectable semaglutide have reported favorable cardiovascular outcomes. Most recently approved for clinical use, oral semaglutide has a favorable safety profile and is currently undergoing regulatory evaluation and further study for cardiovascular outcomes. Professional society guidelines now recommend GLP-1RA therapy for cardiovascular risk mitigation in patients with type 2 diabetes and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or multiple ASCVD risk factors, independent of glucose control or background antihyperglycemic therapy (other diabetes medications being used). Additional conditions suitable for GLP-1RA therapy include obesity and advanced chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73 m2), for which cardiovascular risk-reducing options are limited. Out-of-pocket costs and secondary advantages (eg, weight loss) may inform shared decision-making discussions regarding potential therapies. GLP-1RA therapy has a favorable safety profile. Its most common adverse effect is gastrointestinal upset, which typically wanes during the early weeks of therapy and may be mitigated by starting at the lowest dose and escalating as tolerated. Depending on baseline glycemic control, sulfonylureas and insulin may need to be decreased before GLP-1RA initiation; without concurrent use of insulin or sulfonylureas, GLP-1RAs are not associated with hypoglycemia. Multidisciplinary follow-up and collaborative care with primary care physicians and/or endocrinologists are important. Conclusions and Relevance: Findings from this review suggest that GLP-1RAs are safe, are well tolerated, and improve cardiovascular outcomes, largely independent of their antihyperglycemic properties, but they remain underused by cardiologists. This review provides a practical resource for cardiologists for initiating GLP-1RAs and managing the therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes and established ASCVD or high risk for ASCVD.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

GLP-1 receptor agonists are safe, well tolerated, and improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes, largely independent of glycemic control, but remain underused by cardiologists. This review provides practical guidance for cardiologists on initiating and managing GLP-1RA therapy in patients with established ASCVD or high ASCVD risk.

Key findings

  • Across cardiovascular outcomes trials, GLP-1RAs reduced mean relative risk of MACE by 12%, cardiovascular death by 12%, all-cause mortality by 12%, stroke by 16%, myocardial infarction by 9%, and composite kidney events by 17% (driven by albuminuria improvements).
  • Uptake is low: less than 8% of individuals with type 2 diabetes and ASCVD received GLP-1RA prescriptions in 2 US observational studies, and less than 5% of GLP-1RA prescriptions in tertiary care centers were attributable to cardiologists.
  • Safety and tolerability: gastrointestinal upset occurs in 15% to 40% of patients within the first 4 weeks and is typically transient; hypoglycemia is rare without concurrent insulin or sulfonylureas; weight loss was 1.5 to 4.3 kg in trials with follow-up of 1.3 to 5.4 years.
  • Special considerations include use of liraglutide, dulaglutide, and injectable semaglutide in advanced CKD at any eGFR without dose adjustment; albiglutide reduced HF hospitalization (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.53–0.94; P < .001); and injectable semaglutide was associated with retinopathy complications in SUSTAIN-6 (3.0% vs 1.8%).

Methods

  • Narrative/practical review for cardiologists; PubMed was searched for English-language studies published January 1, 2005, to October 31, 2019, identifying 7 cardiovascular outcomes trials of GLP-1RA therapy; the search was conducted August 1, 2019, to October 31, 2019.
  • Evidence was synthesized from primary trial publications, key secondary analyses, summary meta-analyses, US Food and Drug Administration labels, and professional society guidelines.
  • The review focuses on marketed GLP-1RAs with FDA indications for cardiovascular risk reduction: liraglutide, dulaglutide, and injectable semaglutide.

Limitations

  • Stated in the paper: data are limited for GLP-1RA use in end-stage kidney disease (eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m²), HF subtype data are lacking, head-to-head cardiovascular outcome trials between GLP-1RAs and SGLT2 inhibitors are absent, and data on incremental cardiovascular advantage of concurrent GLP-1RA plus SGLT2 inhibitor use are lacking.
  • Stated in the paper: oral semaglutide and efpeglenatide cardiovascular outcomes were still being assessed, and comparative cost-effectiveness/value studies are needed.
  • Evident from the text: this is a narrative review without systematic review or meta-analysis methods, relies on a PubMed-only English-language search through October 2019, and reports no new primary patient data.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1001/jamacardio.2020.1966

Cites

43 of 43 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

30 Not checked yet · 11 No basis given · 3 Own interpretation · 2 Partly supported · 1 Mixed support · 1 Own method · accuracy not yet measured

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Show all 36 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 11
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 1
12 of 12
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The most common adverse effect of GLP-1RA therapy is gastrointestinal upset, which typically wanes during the early weeks of therapy and may be mitigated by starting at the lowest dose and escalating as tolerated.

    “Its most common adverse effect is gastrointestinal upset, which typically wanes during the early weeks of therapy and may be mitigated by starting at the lowest dose and escalating as tolerated.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Without concurrent use of insulin or sulfonylureas, GLP-1RAs are not associated with hypoglycemia.

    “Depending on baseline glycemic control, sulfonylureas and insulin may need to be decreased before GLP-1RA initiation; without concurrent use of insulin or sulfonylureas, GLP-1RAs are not associated with hypoglycemia.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    GLP-1RAs delay gastric emptying.

    “Because GLP-1RAs delay gastric emptying, caution should be used in prescribing these agents to patients with gastroparesis, chronic nausea, or previous gastric surgical procedure.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    GLP-1RAs have pharmacological properties that increase heart rate.

    “Given the pharmacological properties of GLP-1RA that increase the heart rate (which may be detrimental in HF), the safety of its use in patients with HF with reduced EF remains uncertain.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    SGLT2 inhibitors are associated with increased risk for genital mycotic infections.

    “Because SGLT2 inhibitors are associated with increased risk for genital mycotic infections, a history of recurrent genital mycotic infections may additionally favor GLP-1RA over SGLT2 inhibitors.”
5 of 5

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Metadata

Authors
Honigberg, M. C., Chang, L.-S., McGuire, D. K., Plutzky, J., Aroda, V. R., & Vaduganathan, M.
Affiliations
  • Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
  • The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (US)
Venue
JAMA Cardiology
Published
2020-10-01
Volume
5
Issue
10
Pages
1182
ISSN
2380-6583 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3036179581
Cited by
127
References
47
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 2
FWCI
2.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • JAMA Cardiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (T32HL094301)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Treatment and Management
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Failure Treatment and Management
Keywords
GLP-1 receptor agonists, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular risk reduction, semaglutide, albiglutide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, obesity, chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal adverse effects, hypoglycemia, sulfonylureas, insulin, multidisciplinary care, shared decision-making
MeSH terms
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor, Contraindications, Drug, Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Heart Failure, Humans, Hypoglycemic Agents, Obesity, Overweight, Renal Insufficiency, Chronic

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