Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Scoping Review of Metabolic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Cardioprotective Effects

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder associated with a substantially increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, driven by both persistent systemic inflammation and a high burden of traditional cardiometabolic risk factors. In recent years, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), licensed for type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity, have attracted attention for their broader metabolic and cardiovascular benefits, raising the question of their potential role in RA. This scoping review summarizes current evidence on the impact of GLP-1RAs on RA disease activity, CV comorbidities, and the underlying immuno-metabolic mechanisms. Experimental studies suggest that GLP-1RAs could modulate key inflammatory pathways in synovial cells, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, oxidative stress, and tissue-degrading enzymes, while improving mitochondrial function. Although clinical data remains limited, observational studies report improvements in disease activity, inflammatory markers, and pain in patients with RA treated with GLP-1RAs in addition to immunosuppressive treatment. Extensive evidence from randomized trials in metabolic populations demonstrates that GLP-1RAs improve glycemic control, induce significant weight loss, and reduce modestly but consistently blood pressure and atherogenic lipids, ultimately lowering major CV events and mortality. Although this evidence cannot be directly translated to RA populations, early real-world data specific to the disease suggest similar favorable trends, including reductions in cardiometabolic risk factors and thromboembolic events. Taken together, these findings suggest that GLP-1RAs may offer dual benefits in RA by addressing both metabolic dysfunction and inflammation. However, the current evidence base is heterogeneous and largely non-randomized, underscoring the need for dedicated trials.