GLP-1 receptor agonists efficacy in managing comorbidities associated with diabetes mellitus: a narrative review

ObjectivesDiabetes mellitus (DM) is often accompanied by various comorbidities, including cardiovascular diseases, Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), renal dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), neurological disorders, psychiatric conditions, and others. These comorbidities complicate diabetes management and contribute to worsened health outcomes. This narrative review explores the efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in managing a broad range of diabetes-related comorbidities, assessing their therapeutic potential beyond glycemic control.MethodsA comprehensive review of the literature was conducted by searching scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Additionally, AI-based tools like ChatGPT were employed from September 2024 to January 2025 to enhance the accuracy of data collection and analysis. The search was conducted using keywords such as "GLP-1 receptor agonists", "diabetes and comorbidities", "cardiovascular diseases", "MASLD", "renal dysfunction", "PCOS", "neurological disorders", "psychiatric disorders", "sleep apnea", "osteoarthritis", and "diabetic retinopathy". Boolean operators (AND/OR) were used to combine the keywords for efficient searching. Studies were selected and analyzed based on predefined criteria to evaluate the efficacy of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs) in managing diabetes-related comorbidities.ResultsGLP1RAs have demonstrated significant benefits in managing various comorbidities, including cardiovascular diseases, liver conditions (such as MASLD), renal dysfunction, and metabolic disorders like PCOS. They also show promise in addressing neurological and psychiatric disorders, likely due to their anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and metabolic effects.ConclusionGLP1RAs offer a multifaceted approach to treating not only diabetes but also its associated comorbidities, improving patient outcomes across multiple health domains. However, further research is required to confirm these benefits and optimize treatment strategies for diverse patient populations.