The association between GLP-1 receptor agonist and diabetic ketoacidosis in the FDA adverse event reporting system

Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitor-Related Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Case Series

Objectives: Sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are commonly used for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, offering additional benefits in non-diabetic patients with conditions such as chronic kidney disease and heart failure. However, SGLT2i have been associated with an increased risk of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This case series describes three cases of patients who developed euglycemic DKA while taking SGLT2i. Key Findings: Each of the three patients with euglycemic DKA were taking SGLT2i for the treatment of diabetes and all had additional risk factors for the development of DKA. These factors included reduced oral intake, major acute illness, chronic pancreatitis, and a history of previous DKA episodes. Unfortunately, the absence of hallmark symptoms like hyperglycemia, polyuria, and polydipsia led to delayed diagnosis of euglycemic DKA in two of the three patients. Conclusion: Early recognition of risk factors and a high level of suspicion are critical in identifying euglycemic DKA in patients taking SGLT2i. Healthcare providers should conduct thorough medication reconciliation upon admission and closely monitor patients for concurrent issues, especially in cases of minimal oral intake, acute illnesses, and chronic pancreatitis. Prompt diagnosis and management of euglycemic DKA can significantly improve patient outcomes.

Safety of SGLT2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, and GLP-1 receptor agonists in US veterans with and without chronic kidney disease: a population-based study

Background

We examined the real-world comparative safety of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) vs. other newer anti-glycemic medications (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors [DPP4i], glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists [GLP1a]) in patients with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

Among US Veterans with diabetes receiving care from the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system over 2004-19, we identified incident users of SGLT2i vs. DPP4i vs. GLP1a monotherapy. In analyses stratified by CKD status, defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria, we examined associations of SGLT2i vs. DPP4i vs. GLP1a use with risk of infection-related (primary outcome) and genitourinary infection hospitalizations (secondary outcome) using multivariable Cox models.

Findings

Among 92,269 patients who met eligibility criteria, 52% did not have CKD, whereas 48% had CKD. In the overall and non-CKD cohorts, compared to DPP4i use, SGLT2i use was associated with lower infection-related hospitalization risk (HRs [95% CIs] 0.74 [0.67-0.81] and 0.77 [0.67, 0.88], respectively), whereas GLP1a use demonstrated comparable risk. However, in the CKD cohort SGLT2i and GLP1a use were each associated with lower risk (HRs [95% CIs] 0.70 [0.61, 0.81] and 0.91 [0.84, 0.99], respectively). Propensity score-matched analyses showed similar findings in the non-CKD and CKD cohorts. In the overall, non-CKD, and CKD cohorts, SGLT2i use was associated with lower genitourinary infection hospitalization risk whereas GLP1a use showed comparable risk vs. DPP4i use.

Interpretation

In a national cohort of Veterans with diabetes, compared with DPP4i use, SGLT2i use was associated with lower infection-related and genitourinary infection hospitalization risk.

Funding

VA Health Services Research and Development, USA.

Pharmacovigilance study of GLP-1 receptor agonists for metabolic and nutritional adverse events

Aims: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are employed extensively in the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, there is a paucity of real-world data on their safety and tolerability for metabolic and nutritional adverse events in large sample populations. This study aimed to analyse the metabolic and nutritional safety signatures of different GLP-1 RAs by exploring the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Methods: AEs data were extracted from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database for each GLP-1 RA from the time of its launch until the second quarter of 2023. The reported odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Empirical Bayesian Geometric Mean and Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network were employed to identify AE signals. Results: A system organ class of metabolism and nutrition disorders was employed to filter AE reports, resulting in the identification of 10,450 reports for exenatide, 2,860 reports for liraglutide, 240 reports for albiglutide, 4,847 reports for dulaglutide, 2,905 reports for semaglutide, 1,089 reports for tirzepatide, and 13 reports for lixisenatide. Semaglutide (ROR, 3.34; 95%CI, 3.22), liraglutide (ROR, 2.78; 95%CI, 2.69), and exenatide (ROR, 2.15; 95%CI, 2.11) were associated with metabolism and nutrition disorders. The number of AE signals detected were as follows: albiglutide (n = 1), lixisenatide (n = 2), tirzepatide (n = 11), exenatide (n = 12), liraglutide (n = 16), semaglutide (n = 20), dulaglutide (n = 22). Dehydration was the most frequent AE contributing to serious outcomes for liraglutide (n = 318, 23.93%), dulaglutide (n = 434, 20.90%), semaglutide (n = 370, 25.10%) and tirzepatide (n = 70, 32.86%). The time to onset (TTO) of AE was statistically different between exenatide and the other GLP-1 RAs (p < 0.001), and the Weibull parameters for dehydration for liraglutide, dulaglutide, and semaglutide analyses all showed an early failure-type profile. Conclusion: Our study suggests that exenatide, liraglutide, and semaglutide are more susceptible to metabolic and nutritional AEs than other GLP-1 RAs. Liraglutide, dulaglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepaptide's potential to induce dehydration, necessitates special attention. Despite certain deficiencies, GLP-1 RAs have considerable potential for the treatment of eating disorders.

Psychiatric adverse events associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists: a real-world pharmacovigilance study based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database

Background

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are widely used due to their profound efficacy in glycemic control and weight management. Within real-world contexts, the manifestation of certain psychiatric adverse events (AEs) has been observed, which is potentially linked to the administration of GLP-1 RAs. The objective of this study was to undertake a comprehensive investigation and characterization of the psychiatric AEs associated with GLP-1 RAs.

Methods

We retrieved reports of AEs associated with treatment with GLP-1 RAs during the period from the first quarter (Q1) of 2004 to Q1 2023 from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. Descriptive analysis was performed to examine the clinical characteristics and time to onset of the psychiatric AEs caused by GLP-1 RAs. Moreover, disproportionality analyses were performed using the reporting odds ratio (ROR) to identify GLP-1 RA-related psychiatric AEs.

Results

A total of 8,240 reports of psychiatric AEs were analyzed out of 181,238 AE reports with treatment with GLP-1 RAs. Among these cases, a higher percentage was represented by women compared to men (65.89% vs. 30.96%). The median age of these patients was 56 years, with an interquartile range (IQR) of 48-67 years, based on data available in 286 case reports. This study showed that the median time to onset of the overall GLP-1 RA-related AEs was 31 days (IQR = 7-145.4 days), which varied among GLP-1 RA regimens. Specifically, exenatide had a significantly longer onset time at 45 days (IQR = 11-213 days), with statistically significant differences from the onset times of the other five GLP-1 RAs (p< 0.0001). Moreover, eight categories of psychiatric AEs, namely, nervousness (ROR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.85-2.11), stress (ROR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.19-1.38), eating disorder (ROR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.40-1.77), fear of injection (ROR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.60-2.40), sleep disorder due to general medical condition-insomnia type (ROR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.60-2.52), binge eating (ROR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.75-4.16), fear of eating (ROR 3.35, 95% CI = 1.65-6.78), and self-induced vomiting (ROR = 3.77, 95% CI = 1.77-8.03), were defined as GLP-1 RA-related psychiatric AEs through disproportionality analysis.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate a significant association between GLP-1 RAs and the development of specific psychiatric AEs. Despite the observational nature of this pharmacovigilance study and the inherent limitations of the FAERS database, our preliminary findings in this work could provide a better basis for understanding the potential psychiatric AEs that may occur with GLP-1 RA treatment, assisting clinicians to focus on these AEs and provide early intervention for optimal risk management.

Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Analogues as Adjunctive Therapy for Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

CONTEXT

Concomitant obesity is common among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), yet adjunctive therapy options are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

We assess the efficacy and adverse outcomes of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogues when used as adjunctive therapy for T1DM.

METHOD

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, and Scopus databases were searched for randomized controlled trials up to December 2022. Efficacy outcomes were A1c level, body weight, and total daily insulin (TDI) after ≥12 weeks of GLP-1 therapy. We also assessed 12 different adverse outcomes. Subgroup analysis was done for newly diagnosed or C-peptide positive (C-pos) patients. We report the certainty of evidence based on the GRADE assessment tool.

RESULTS

A total of 24 studies using 4 different GLP-1 analogues with a total of 3377 patients were included. Liraglutide had the most substantial evidence with effect sizes on A1c (-0.09%/mg), weight (-2.2 kg/mg), and TDI (-4.32 IU/mg). Liraglutide dose was the greatest predictor of greater average weight loss and TDI decrease but was associated with higher odds of nausea (OR 6.5; 95% CI, 5.0-8.4) and ketosis (OR 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-2.8). Odds of severe (OR 0.67; 95% CI, 0.43-1.04) or symptomatic hypoglycemia (OR 0.89; 95% CI, 0.53-1.51) were not significantly elevated. Among C-pos patients, greater A1c decrease (-0.51% vs -0.28%) but similar weight loss and TDI were seen. Effect sizes for exenatide were similar, but studies had higher risk of bias and safety data were sparse.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis supports therapeutic benefits of liraglutide for patients with T1DM mainly for weight loss and insulin dose reduction. Newly diagnosed or C-pos patients do not appear to experience greater weight loss benefits.

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis after the initiation of dulaglutide in patient with type 2 diabetes

RATIONALE

Diabetic ketoacidosis is rarely observed when the blood glucose level is <250 mg/dL. This is referred to as euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EDKA). EDKA can present diagnostic and management challenges for physicians, especially when dealing with unusual triggers such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) receptor agonists and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors. With this case report, we wanted to raise the knowledge and understanding of EDKA and its triggering factors.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 45-year-old man was admitted to hospital for epigastric pain, loss of appetite, and vomiting 3 days after the initiation of dulaglutide. The results of laboratory examination showed EDKA.

DIAGNOSES

The patient was diagnosed with EDKA after the initiation of GLP1 receptor agonists.

INTERVENTIONS

Intravenous fluid and insulin infusion were immediately started.

OUTCOME

The patient was discharged after treatment.

LESSONS

In this case report describes the use of GLP1 receptor agonists along with Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes patients whose extreme restriction of carbohydrate intake may have triggered EDKA. Therefore, physicians should use diabetes medications in a stepwise manner and advise their patients not to over-restrict their carbohydrate intake while they are being treated with GLP1 receptor agonists.

Euglycemic Diabetic Keto Acidosis in a Type 1 Diabetic Patient After Glucose Like Peptide-1 Administration: A Case Presentation

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) occurs when insulin-producing beta cells are destroyed. Destruction of these cells and subsequent loss of insulin signaling can cause diabetic keto acidosis (DKA). This case describes a type 1 DM patient who presented to the emergency department (ED) with nausea and vomiting after glucose like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist administration. The patient was noted to have elevated anion gap and elevated beta-hydroxybutyrate with euglycemic blood glucose levels. The patient was confirmed to have a functioning insulin pump and then was sent home with nausea control. The patient was not able to consume food without vomiting and therefore did not administer any postprandial insulin. These symptoms were attributed to the GLP-1 agonist. It contributed to suppression of the patient's appetite while also inhibiting gluconeogenesis, and glycogenolysis resulting in small amounts of blood glucose entering the blood stream, negating the need for a bolus of insulin. The patient was admitted and given dextrose with an insulin drip until the anion gap was returned to normal. As GLP-1 agonists become more popular, this presentation may become more common. If not easily recognized this can lead to patient endangerment and unnecessary medical costs.

Safety of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists: A Real-World Study Based on the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System Database

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are used as adjunctive therapy to lifestyle intervention and metformin treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, as most GLP-1RAs have cardiovascular benefits; however, a number of adverse events (AEs) have been reported in postmarketing surveillance.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the AEs associated with GLP-1RA monotherapy and identify important medical event (IME) signals for GLP-1RAs.

METHODS

Data from 1 April 2005 to 31 December 2021 from the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database were extracted to conduct disproportionality analysis and Bayesian analysis. AEs and IMEs were classified by system organ classes (SOCs) and preferred terms (PTs) according to the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA^®). The reporting odds ratio (ROR) and information component (IC) were used to indicate the disproportionality.

RESULTS

A total of 71,515 records involving GLP-1RA monotherapy were submitted to the database, of which 16,350 records were GLP-1RA/IME pairs. Significant disproportionality emerged in five SOCs: 'gastrointestinal disorders' (n = 13,104; lower end of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the IC [IC₀₂₅] = 1.34), 'investigations' (n = 6889; IC₀₂₅ = 0.64), 'metabolism and nutrition disorders' (n = 2943; IC₀₂₅ = 0.44), 'neoplasms benign/malignant' (n = 1989; IC₀₂₅ = 0.01), and 'hepatobiliary disorders' (n = 1497; IC₀₂₅ = 0.38). The most common AEs were pancreatitis, nausea, and weight decrease. Unexpected significant AEs were detected, such as ileus, osteomyelitis, renal cell carcinoma, nephrolithiasis, and drug-induced liver injury.

CONCLUSION

The majority of AEs have been listed in the prescribing information or reported in previous studies, however we found significant disproportionality in some specific tumor- and liver-related AEs. Clinicians should pay more attention to the newly detected disproportionality that may be triggered by GLP-1RAs, especially in the vulnerable population after long-term use. Considering the limitations of the FAERS database, there is a need for additional pharmacoepidemiological approaches to validate the results of this study.