Key result
Dulaglutide reduces stroke risk by ~23% compared to placebo in meta-analysis.
Why the study?
Do GLP-1 RAs reduce stroke risk and cerebrovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus?
Meta-Analysis (n=67,769)
Do GLP-1 RAs reduce stroke risk and cerebrovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus?
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
In patients with type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 RAs demonstrate a favorable safety profile, with dulaglutide reducing stroke risk and semaglutide lowering cardiovascular mortality.
Background and aims Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at an increased risk of cerebrovascular events. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of various Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) in reducing stroke risk and other cerebrovascular events, and assessing their safety profiles. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search of four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL) up to 12 November 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy and safety of GLP-1 RAs compared to placebo in patients with T2DM were included. A frequentist network meta-analysis was performed, and data were pooled using R software to calculate risk ratios (RRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Ten studies (67769 patients) were included, evaluating seven GLP-1 RAs: dulaglutide, efpeglenatide, exenatide, semaglutide, liraglutide, albiglutide, and lixisenatide. Compared to placebo, dulaglutide significantly reduced the risk of any stroke (RR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.63; 0.95), whereas semaglutide was associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular mortality (RR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.58; 0.96) and serious adverse events (RR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86; 0.95). No significant differences were observed between the interventions in terms of ischemic stroke, hypoglycemia, all-cause mortality, or treatment discontinuation. Conclusions The use of GLP-1 RAs in patients with T2DM may reduce the risk of stroke and appears to have a favorable safety profile, as evidenced by semaglutide’s association with a significantly lower risk of mortality and serious adverse events. Further RCTs comparing different GLP-1 RAs are needed to strengthen this conclusion. Conflict of interest Tasneem Hetta: nothing to disclose, Abdallah Abbas: nothing to disclose, Haneen Sabet: nothing to disclose, Ahmed Wahdan Kasem: nothing to disclose, Yassmeen Ahmed Rizk: nothing to disclose, Abdallah Khatatbeh: nothing to disclose, Gergis Altalab: nothing to disclose, Kenzy Rabie: nothing to disclose, Mohamad Marey: nothing to disclose, Hager Youssif: nothing to disclose, Fawaz Al-Mufti: nothing to disclose, Mohammad El-Ghanem: nothing to disclose.
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Hetta et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=67,769). Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) vs. placebo was evaluated on any stroke (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63-0.95). Compared to placebo, dulaglutide reduced the risk of any stroke, and semaglutide lowered cardiovascular mortality risk.
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