Association of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists with acute pancreatitis and biliary disease in individuals with diabetes and obesity: a propensity-weighted, population-based cohort study.

What the researchers found

GLP-1 receptor agonists showed no increased risk of acute pancreatitis (HR 0.56) or biliary disease (HR 1.12) compared to SGLT-2 inhibitors in a population-based study of diabetes and obesity patients.

Why it matters

Pancreatitis and gallbladder problems have been safety concerns for GLP-1 drugs. This large real-world comparison against another diabetes drug class found no increased risk, providing reassurance.

The numbers in context

Acute pancreatitis: HR 0.56 (95% CI 0.17-1.91). Biliary disease: HR 1.12 (95% CI 0.79-1.58). Population-based study in Valencia, Spain, 2015-2021.

How the study worked

Population-based, propensity-weighted, new user, active comparator cohort study. Compared GLP-1 RA initiators to SGLT-2 inhibitor initiators.

Who was studied

Adults with diabetes and obesity initiating GLP-1 RA or SGLT-2 inhibitor therapy in Valencia, Spain

What this study cannot tell us

Observational design. Wide confidence intervals for pancreatitis suggest limited events. Single Spanish region. Claims-based diagnoses may miss mild cases. Residual confounding possible.

Read the original research

Association of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists with acute pancreatitis and biliary disease in individuals with diabetes and obesity: a propensity-weighted, population-based cohort study.

Gaceta sanitaria, 39, 102444

Citation

Robles Cabanillas, Celia; Hurtado Navarro, Isabel; García-Sempere, Aníbal; Llopis-Cardona, Fran; Sánchez-Sáez, Francisco; Rodríguez-Bernal, Clara; Sanfélix-Gimeno, Gabriel. (2025). Association of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists with acute pancreatitis and biliary disease in individuals with diabetes and obesity: a propensity-weighted, population-based cohort study.. Gaceta sanitaria, 39, 102444. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2024.102444