JAMA Netw Open
GLP-1s may reduce infection and respiratory disease risk—and more
Clinical takeaway: In patients at higher risk for infections or respiratory disease, GLP-1s may offer added value, with additional emerging signals for fracture and dementia risk.
In a review of 60 meta-analyses spanning 1,751 randomized trials (about 3.6 million patients), GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with lower risk of serious infections and reduced incidence of respiratory disease, with additional signals suggesting possible reductions in fracture risk and all-cause dementia.
Across other domains—including cancer, neurologic, psychiatric, hepatic, and endocrine outcomes—evidence was largely inconclusive or low certainty. Adverse events were consistent with known effects, with increased nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and exploratory signals for gallbladder and biliary disease.
The findings suggest “potential neuroprotective and respiratory benefits” of GLP-1s, pointing to broader therapeutic roles beyond cardiometabolic disease.
Clinical testing (in phase 2 and/or phase 3) for GLP-1s and related incretin therapies is ongoing in neurodegenerative disease, metabolic liver disease, and addiction. Initial data will continue to emerge over the next few years.
Source: Yang K, et al. (2026, March 31). JAMA Netw Open. GLP-1 receptor agonists and noncardiometabolic outcomes: An umbrella review of meta-analyses