Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and asthma and COPD exacerbations in adults with diabetes: A systematic review.

Objective: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are antihyperglycemic agents used to control type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recently, there has been increased recognition of the potential pulmonary protective effects of GLP-1RA. Given the bidirectional association between T2DM and obstructive lung disease (OLD) incidence and progression, our systematic review aimed to determine if GLP-1RA therapy for comorbid T2DM was associated with a decreased risk of asthma and COPD exacerbations, relative to other T2DM treatments.

Methods: We systematically searched for English-language articles published in Ovid Medline, Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL and CINAHL databases from inception to June 25, 2024. Random effects meta-analysis was used to aggregate data where feasible.

Results: Of 23 full-text manuscripts considered for inclusion, six retrospective observational studies were selected (total N = 62,678). The pooled incidence rate ratios (IRR) of asthma or COPD exacerbations demonstrated a statistically significant lower risk of exacerbations associated with GLP-1RA compared to sulfonylureas (IRR, 95 %CI: 0.52, 0.42-0.64) or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4I) (IRR 0.63, 0.47-0.86), but not sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2I) (IRR 0.66, 0.21-2.05). The risk of exacerbations rate was also lower in GLP-1RA users relative to insulin in a single study (IRR 0.39, 0.26-0.58) and higher compared to metformin in a single Japanese cohort (IRR 1.24, 1.08-1.43).

Conclusions: Our systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence for a reduced risk for asthma and COPD exacerbations associated with GLP-1RA use in adults with OLD and T2DM, relative to sulfonylureas or DPP-4I medications. Future research should focus on confirming our observed relationships in prospective trials.