Effect of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Dry Eye Disease in Type 2 Diabetes: A Retrospective Study
Author: Giovanni Ottonelli
Base Hospital / Institution: Humanitas Research Hospital
ePoster presentation
Abstract ID: 25-454
Purpose
Dry eye disease (DED) is a common ocular condition linked to systemic diseases like diabetes mellitus (DM). New diabetes medications, such as GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs), have shown promising benefits for glycemic control, but their impact on ocular health remains unclear. This study investigates the association between GLP-1 RAs with DED in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods
This single-center, retrospective case-control study included 35 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) undergoing glucose-lowering therapy. The patients were divided into two groups: 21 patients receiving a GLP-1 RAs, alone or in association with other anti-diabetic medication (cases), and 14 patients taking other glucose-lowering agents but not a GLP-1 RAs (controls). Ocular surface parameters, including Schirmer I test and tear breakup time (TBUT), were assessed in all patients and compared in the two groups.
Results
Patients treated with GLP-1 RAs had higher Schirmer I test values (median 15 mm, range 1-33) compared to patients not treated with GLP-1 RAs (median 7.5 mm, range 0-40; p-value 0.016). A significant difference was found in TBUT between the two groups (median 10 sec, range 6.7-17 versus median 5.85 sec, range 1-11; p-value <0.01). Moreover, a significant difference was found in the Schirmer I test between patients treated with GLP-1 RAs alone (median 15 mm, range 1-25), SGLT2 inhibitors alone (median 7.5 mm, range 0-40) or both GLP-1 RAs and SGLT2 inhibitors (median 13 mm, range 2-33; Kruskal-Wallis test, p-value=0.016).
Conclusion
Patients treated with GLP-1 RAs showed better tear production and stability, suggesting a protective role against DED in patients with T2DM. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Additional Authors
| First name | Last name | Base Hospital / Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Novella | Montericcio | Humanitas Research Hospital |
| Vittoria | Ortfeldt | Humanitas Research Hospital |
| Costanza | Tredici | Humanitas Research Hospital |
| Alessandra | Di Maria | Humanitas Research Hospital |
