PREDICTORS OF GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONIST USE AMONG U.S. ADULTS WITH COMORBID DEPRESSION AND TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Author(s)

Michael C. Okonkwo, BPharm, Samuel C. Ofili, BPharm, Peterkings E. Jokoh, MPH, Douglas Thornton, PharmD, Ph.D, Sujit Sansgiry, MS, PhD;
University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
OBJECTIVES: Depression is often associated with weight gain and metabolic complications, partly due to the condition itself and the adverse effects of antidepressant therapies, and frequently coexists with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), approved for T2DM and obesity, are increasingly used to address weight-related concerns; however, their use among adults with comorbid depression and T2DM remains poorly characterized. This study identified predictors of GLP-1RA use among U.S. adults with comorbid depression and T2DM.
METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2019-2023. Adults with depression and T2DM were identified using ICD-10-CM code F32 and E11, respectively, and GLP-1RA use was identified via Multum Lexicon code 373. Descriptive statistics comparing GLP-1RA users and non-users were performed, followed by multivariable logistic regression to determine independent predictors. Analyses accounted for the complex MEPS survey design using sampling weights to ensure national representativeness and were conducted using SAS version 9.4.
RESULTS: The analytic sample included 974 adults with comorbid T2DM and depression, representing approximately 2.26 million U.S. adults, of whom 27.7% (601,127) used GLP-1 receptor agonists. In multivariable analyses, doctoral-level education (OR = 5.14; 95% CI: 1.45-18.16) and a bachelor's degree (OR = 2.76; 95% CI: 1.31-5.82), relative to no degree, were associated with greater use. Cardiovascular disease (OR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.31-3.96) and female sex (OR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.12-2.78) were also associated with an increased odds of use. Age was associated with lower odds of GLP-1RA use (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96-0.99).
CONCLUSIONS: Among U.S. adults with comorbid T2DM and depression, GLP-1RA use was associated with female sex, cardiovascular disease, and higher educational attainment, while increasing age was associated with lower use. Future research should examine clinical and policy implications of GLP-1RA use in adults with co-occurring mental and metabolic conditions.

Conference/Value in Health Info

2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6

Code

EPH8

Topic

Epidemiology & Public Health

Topic Subcategory

Safety & Pharmacoepidemiology

Disease

SDC: Cardiovascular Disorders (including MI, Stroke, Circulatory), SDC: Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity)

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