EFFECT OF GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS ON OFFICE BLOOD PRESSURE LEVELS AMONG OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE SUBJECTS TREATED WITH ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS: A META-ANALYSIS

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Objective: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) constitute a drug class primarily developed for the treatment of subjects with type 2 diabetes. Subjects suffering from psychotic disorders and receiving antipsychotic drug treatment are prone to developing obesity, which is a major contributing factor to elevated blood pressure (BP) levels. Herein we sought to determine whether treatment with GLP-1RAs among overweight/obese subjects treated with antipsychotic drugs has any beneficial impact on BP levels. Design and method: We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Library from inception to 1 December 2022, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling obese or overweight adult subjects with an underlying psychotic disorder treated with antipsychotic drugs, randomized either to GLP-1RAs or control. Effect of GLP-1RA treatment on office systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP, respectively) levels was assessed. Results: We pooled data from 4 RCTs (2 utilizing liraglutide and 2 utilizing exenatide) in a total of 199 enrolled subjects. GLP-1RA treatment compared to control resulted in a non-significant effect on office SBP (p = 0.47). Similarly, GLP-1RA treatment compared to control failed to produce a significant decrease in office DBP (p = 0.53). Conclusions: Despite their significant weight loss properties in overweight or obese subjects, preliminary evidence suggests that GLP-1RAs do not confer a significant effect on BP levels among overweight/obese subjects treated with antipsychotic drug classes. Further, large-scale trials are required to clarify this interesting clinical aspect.