GLP-1RA treatment significantly lowers mortality and cardiovascular risks in psoriasis patients

Researchers report that patients with psoriasis treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have achieved a 78% reduced risk of death and a 44% reduced risk of major cardiovascular events compared to similar patients using other diabetes or weight-loss drugs.

The findings were presented on Sept. 17, 2025 at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2025.

Lead author Ralf Ludwig, MD, Professor and Director at the Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Germany, said, “Our findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists may offer benefits beyond their effects on weight and glucose control, particularly for cardiovascular and psychiatric outcomes in people with psoriasis.”

For this retrospective study, the investigators extracted data from the global TriNetX database. They compared 3,048 adult subjects with psoriasis who were treated for diabetes or obesity with GLP-1RA during a follow-up period of 2 years to 3,049 similar subjects treated with other systemic anti-diabetic or obesity drugs for the same period of time.

In matched cohorts of patients with psoriasis treated with GLP-1RA (60.37% females, mean age 56.94 years) versus other antidiabetic and obesity drugs (61.91% females, mean age 56.42 years), GLP-1RA treatment was associated with significantly decreased all-cause mortality (78% decrease, p<0.0001) and reduced risk for major adverse cardiac events (44% decrease, p<0.0001).

Additionally, the investigators reported lower risks for alcohol and substance abuse among subjects with psoriasis treated with GLP-1RA

Adverse drug events were not more frequent in the GLP-1RA cohort.

The authors concluded, “GLP-1RA treatment was safe and associated with reduced risks of cardiovascular and psychiatric comorbidities, as well as lower mortality in patients with psoriasis, with risk reductions markedly higher than in cohorts without psoriasis. Physicians should consider this drug class for patients with psoriasis and comorbid obesity or type 2 diabetes.”

Ludwig added, “Psoriasis management has traditionally focused on controlling skin symptoms, but these findings emphasise the need to consider the wider health risks faced by patients. GLP-1RAs may offer a valuable dual benefit, improving both metabolic control and long-term health outcomes, representing an important step forward in holistic care for people living with psoriasis.”