Analysis: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Linked with Reduced Surgical/Hospitalization Burden in HS

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with a 65% reduced risk of surgery in HS patients, new real-world data indicate.

• Hospitalization rates also decreased slightly in the GLP-1 RA cohort.

• The authors said the findings suggest potential value for GLP-1 RAs in dermatologic care.

New real-world data suggest that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are linked with reduced surgical interventions and hospitalizations in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). 

Researchers using real-world data from the TriNetX research network performed a propensity score-matched cohort analysis looking at outcomes in HS patients on GLP-1 RAs compared with matched controls not taking the medications. The study population included individuals with diagnosed HS, with or without concurrent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Study subjects were then stratified by GLP-1 RA prescription status.

According to the data, patients receiving GLP-1 RAs had a reduced hazard ratio (HR) for surgical abscess repairs (HR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.25 to 0.50) and for hospitalizations (HR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.82 to 0.92) compared to controls. 

The anti-inflammatory properties of GLP-1 RAs—previously explored in cardiovascular and metabolic disease contexts—may contribute to this observed benefit in HS, although the exact mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

“Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists reduce surgeries and hospitalizations in hidradenitis suppurativa, demonstrating their potential therapeutic value in dermatology patient care,” the authors wrote.

Source: Gupta N, et al. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(9): doi:10.36849/JDD.8926