Abstract
BACKGROUND: A major concern has recently emerged about a potential link between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and increased risk for suicidal ideation and behaviors based on International Classification of Diseases codes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between GLP-1 RAs, compared with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is), and risk for suicidal ideation and behaviors in older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). DESIGN: Two target trial emulation studies comparing propensity score (PS)-matched cohorts for GLP-1 RAs versus SGLT2is and GLP-1 RAs versus DPP4is. SETTING: U.S. national Medicare administrative data from January 2017 to December 2020. PATIENTS: Older adults (≥66 years) with T2D; no record of suicidal ideation or behaviors; and a first prescription for a GLP-1 RA, SGLT2i, or DPP4i. MEASUREMENTS: The primary end point was a composite of suicidal ideation and behaviors. New GLP-1 RA users were matched 1:1 on PS to new users of an SGLT2i or DPP4i in each pairwise comparison. A Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CIs within matched groups. RESULTS: This study included 21 807 pairs of patients treated with a GLP-1 RA versus an SGLT2i and 21 402 pairs of patients treated with a GLP-1 RA versus a DPP4i. The HR of suicidal ideation and behaviors associated with GLP-1 RAs relative to SGLT2is was 1.07 (95% CI, 0.80 to 1.45; rate difference, 0.16 [CI, -0.53 to 0.86] per 1000 person-years); the HR relative to DPP4is was 0.94 (CI, 0.71 to 1.24; rate difference, -0.18 [CI, -0.92 to 0.57] per 1000 person-years). LIMITATIONS: Low event rate; imprecise estimates; unmeasured confounders, such as body mass index; and potential misclassification of outcomes. CONCLUSION: Among Medicare beneficiaries with T2D, this study found no clear increased risk for suicidal ideation and behaviors with GLP-1 RAs, although estimates were imprecise and a modest adverse risk could not be ruled out. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America Foundation, National Institute on Aging, and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.