Is Diabetes Medication Making You Prone To Depression Risk?

Diabetes and the medicines to treat it has been long in the news. All thanks to the GLP-1RAs, and Ozempic, Wegovy, and many more, that brought more attention to diabetes than it was getting before. However, managing diabetes requires lifelong care, and studies show that people with diabetes are more likely to experience depression than those without the condition. This was something that has led researchers to explore whether diabetes medications can influence mental health. A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine examined how certain diabetes drugs impact depression risk, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), which are commonly used to manage blood sugar levels.

How Was the Study Conducted?

The study's main goal was to investigate the mental effects of GLP-1RAs, specifically their relationship with depression risk. Researchers compared the effects of GLP-1RAs (marketed under brand names such as Ozempic) to two other diabetic treatments.

SGLT2is and DPP4is inhibit the sodium glucose cotransporter 2.

To offer a fair comparison, researchers employed a technique known as target trial emulation. Participants were not randomly assigned to therapies, so the researchers matched them based on their age, pre-existing medical conditions, and previous medication use.

Why is it important to consider participants' involvement in the study?

• The experiment focused on elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. The trial included 14,665 patients who used GLP-1RAs and 14,665 who took SGLT2 inhibitors.
• 13,711 people use GLP-1RAs, compared to 13,711 persons who take DPP-4is. Participants aged 66 and up, with no history of depression or recent antidepressant usage.
• Patients who had not used any of these drugs within the past year.

Key findings: A 10% reduction in depression risk.

The study discovered that the risk of depression was the same for those taking GLP-1RAs and SGLT2is. However, when comparing GLP-1RAs to DPP4is, a slight difference emerged:

• 963 GLP-1RA users reported feeling depressed.
• 1,075 DPP4 individuals had depression.

This suggests that the GLP-1RA group was 10% less likely to experience depression than the DPP4i group. Researchers also discovered that the longer people used GLP-1RAs, the lower their risk of depression appeared to be.

Is the data reliable?

There is no information on BMI or blood glucose levels. These concerns, which may affect both diabetes and mental health, were not addressed.

Concentrate on older persons: The findings may not be relevant to younger adults or those who use GLP-1RAs to reduce weight.

Potential selection bias: The study had a diverse group of participants, which may have influenced the results.

Short follow-up period: Because the trial lasted just two years, it may not reflect these drugs' long-term impact on depression.

Why Might GLP-1 Drugs Lower Depression Risk?

Experts believe the reduced depression risk may not be directly due to GLP-1RAs but rather their effects on overall health. Possible reasons include:

• Improved blood sugar control, which can stabilize mood
• Weight loss, which has been linked to lower depression risk
• Better appetite regulation, reducing stress-related eating habits
• Fewer diabetes-related symptoms, leading to an improved quality of life