NEW ORLEANS — Adults with obesity and an autoimmune disease who took glucagon-like peptide-receptor 1 agonist (GLP-1RA) medications had lower rates of emergency department visits and serious cardiac events. The research also indicated a decreased risk of all-cause mortality compared to similar adults not taking the medications.
The findings were presented on June 6 at the American Diabetes Association 2026 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans. Researchers analyzed electronic health record data from the OneFlorida+ network, spanning 2014 to 2024.
The study cohort included 26,408 adults diagnosed with obesity and at least one autoimmune condition. Of these, 13,204 patients received GLP-1RA medications, while 13,204 matched controls did not. The average age of participants was 55 years, with approximately 73% identifying as female and 53% as non-Hispanic white. The average body mass index at enrollment was 37 kilograms per square meter.
Patients on the medication showed a 17% lower risk of venous thromboembolism and a 31% lower risk of pulmonary embolism. They also exhibited a 21% lower likelihood of emergency department visits compared to the control group. The analysis also found a 44% decreased risk of all-cause mortality among those taking the medication.
The study also indicated a 13% lower relative risk reduction for stroke. There was a not statistically significant 14% lower relative risk reduction for heart attack. GLP-1RA medications are commonly prescribed for weight management and Type 2 diabetes treatment.
Amy Sheer, an associate professor of medicine and director of the Obesity Medicine Fellowship program, said, "In this real-world analysis, we found a consistent signal toward fewer serious complications including blood clots and lower mortality among patients treated with GLP-1RA. For clinicians, we hope these findings may prompt a more thoughtful, individualized approach when considering these therapies in higher-risk patients who have both obesity and autoimmune disease." Sheer added, "I am excited about the combination of medications for these diseases – pairing medicines with known benefits to treat the autoimmune disease with a GLP-1RA. For people who are overweight or living with obesity and an autoimmune disease, this study offers a hopeful signal that medications already in use today may be beneficial in reducing their risk of CVD."
Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, said, "The 44% reduction in all-cause mortality observed among patients with obesity and co-occurring autoimmune disease is a striking finding that demands our attention. As an obesity medicine physician scientist who regularly cares for patients with complex inflammatory conditions, this study reinforces what many of us have suspected clinically – that the benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists extend well beyond blood sugar control and weight loss and may fundamentally alter the disease trajectory for some of our highest-risk patients."
The researchers noted that the retrospective review of electronic health records cannot establish cause and effect. They indicated that factors such as weight loss or improved blood sugar levels might have contributed to the observed outcomes. The OneFlorida+ network comprises 14 health care organizations, containing records for 21 million adults across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. The study categorized autoimmune conditions by primary organ system, including skin, gastrointestinal, endocrine, musculoskeletal, systemic, nervous system, blood, and cardiovascular diseases.