Study: Dermatologists Rarely Prescribe GLP-1 Agents in Psoriasis, HS Cohort

Key Takeaways

• New research suggests more than half of psoriasis (54.9%) and nearly three-quarters of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) patients (72.3%) met criteria for GLP-1 receptor agonist eligibility, but most have not had a conversation with their providers.
• Only 36.4% of eligible patients received counseling and 22.1% were prescribed a GLP-1 agent, illustrating what the authors called a substantial gap in care.
• Dermatologists accounted for 0.6% of prescriptions, despite frequent contact with high-risk patients.

A new retrospective review identified a significant gap in care between eligibility for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and real-world utilization among patients with psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

Investigators evaluated 1,490 adult patients (1,144 with psoriasis and 346 with HS) seen between January 2020 and December 2024 and assessed eligibility based on established metabolic criteria, including body mass index (BMI) thresholds and associated comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease.

According to the results, 54.9% of patients with psoriasis and 72.3% with HS met criteria for GLP-1 therapy. Despite this, only 36.4% of eligible patients received any documented counseling, and 22.1% were prescribed a GLP-1RA. Prescribing patterns were primarily driven by primary care (64.5%) and endocrinologists (21.9%), with dermatologists accounting for just 0.6% of prescriptions. Notably, 18.0% of eligible patients had no primary care provider, representing a population with limited access to metabolic management. The poster’s discussion (page 5) also highlighted demographic disparities, with HS patients more likely to be younger, female, non-White, and publicly insured.

"Despite the high prevalence of metabolic dysfunction among patients with psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa, GLP-1RA remain underrecognized as a potential adjunctive therapeutic strategy, especially for medically complex patients with treatment refractory disease," the authors wrote in their poster. "As front-line providers for these patients, dermatologists are uniquely positioned to recognize appropriate candidates and begin the conversation."

Source: Granovsky R, et al. GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use in Psoriasis & Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Poster 71660. Presented at: 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in Denver; March 27-31, 2026; Denver.