Arabic version: أدوية السكري مرتبطة بتحسين نتائج الصحة النفسية
Research indicates that GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly semaglutide, may help mitigate worsening anxiety and depression among patients with diabetes. These findings are significant given that type 2 diabetes affects more than 800 million individuals worldwide, with those suffering from the condition being about twice as likely to experience depression compared to the general population.
According to The Guardian, international researchers analyzed Swedish health records of almost 95,000 individuals diagnosed with anxiety or depression who were on various diabetes medications from 2009 to 2022. The study compared the mental health of patients during periods when they were using GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide and liraglutide, against times when they were not.
The findings, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, revealed that semaglutide was associated with a 42% lower risk of worsening mental health, while liraglutide showed an 18% reduction in risk. Additionally, semaglutide was linked to a 44% lower risk of worsening depression and a 38% lower risk of worsening anxiety. Other GLP-1 medications, including exenatide and dulaglutide, did not exhibit similar benefits.
Experts have called for caution regarding these findings. Dr. Markku Lähteenvuo from the University of Eastern Finland suggested that improvements in mental health could stem from multiple factors, including better glycemic control and changes in body image. While the results are promising, they do not imply that GLP-1 receptor agonists should be used solely as treatments for anxiety or depression at this time.
The research coincides with another study highlighting potential risks associated with GLP-1 medications during pregnancy, indicating an increased risk of preterm birth among women who took semaglutide or liraglutide prior to knowing they were pregnant. This underscores the need for further investigation into the overall safety and efficacy of these drugs in various populations.
