Diabetic macular edema and GLP-1 receptor agonist use: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Salem Abu Al-Burak, Vitaliy Voznyy, Mouad Elganga et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the risk of diabetic macular edema (DME) in individuals with diabetes using GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs). Thirteen studies were analyzed, revealing a pooled DME incidence of 0.14 among GLP-1RA users. Compared to mixed antihyperglycemic therapies, GLP-1RA use showed no increased DME risk (pooled HR: 0.81).
Key findings
- Pooled proportion of incident DME among GLP-1RA users was 0.14 (95% CI: 0.07-0.23).
- GLP-1RA use was not associated with increased DME risk compared to mixed antihyperglycemic therapies (pooled HR: 0.81).
- GLP-1RAs had a higher relative risk of DME compared to SGLT-2 inhibitors (HR: 1.50).
Why it matters
Understanding the retinal safety of GLP-1RAs is crucial for clinicians managing diabetes, as these medications are commonly prescribed for their cardiometabolic benefits. Clarifying their association with DME can inform treatment decisions and patient monitoring.
What to keep in mind
Evidence certainty was very low, and the studies included were observational, which may limit the reliability of the findings.