A recent analysis of health records found that long-term use of GLP-1 drugs for diabetes was associated with an increased risk of disturbances in smell and taste. The study, published in JAMA–Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, reviewed electronic health records from nearly 900,000 patients with type 2 diabetes, half of whom used GLP-1 drugs.

Findings

Over the next two years, GLP-1 users had an 81% higher risk of developing smell disturbances and a 52% higher risk of taste disturbances compared with patients using other drugs to treat their diabetes. The actual rates of smell and taste disturbances were quite low at 0.37% in the GLP-1 group and 0.22% in the control group.

Smell and taste are subtle but critical markers of systemic well-being, with smell dysfunction one of the most reliable warning signs of neurodegenerative conditions. GLP-1 drugs that impact the sensory world that surrounds eating might also change the way in which we experience travel, family gatherings, milestones, and the family dinner.

Implications

The findings highlight the need for closer monitoring and greater public health awareness, as well as for future research to explore the mechanisms underlying this association. For patients with uncontrolled diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or severe obesity, the risk of adverse effects, including sensory disturbance, may be acceptable. However, this may not be the case for marginal weight loss or cosmetic purposes.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.