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Association between GLP-1 receptor agonist use and worsening mental illness in people with depression and anxiety in Sweden: A national cohort study
The dual burden of diabetes and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety raises critical questions about effective treatment strategies. Within this context, GLP-1 receptor agonists, commonly prescribed for diabetes and obesity management, have been evaluated for their influence on mental health outcomes.
This investigation utilized data from Sweden’s national electronic health registers, focusing on 95,490 individuals diagnosed with depression or anxiety and treated with antidiabetic medications between 2009 and 2022. The primary aim was to assess whether these medications, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, exacerbate or alleviate mental health conditions.
Using a within-individual design to minimize confounding, the study found that semaglutide (aHR 0.58, 95% CI 0.51–0.65) and liraglutide (0.82, 0.76–0.89) were linked to a reduced risk of worsening mental illness compared to non-use. Semaglutide, in particular, showed notable efficacy in reducing risks of worsening depression (0.56, 0.44–0.71), anxiety (0.62, 0.52–0.73), and substance use disorder (0.53, 0.35–0.80). Liraglutide also demonstrated a protective effect against depression (0.74, 0.64–0.87).
Conversely, exenatide and dulaglutide did not present a statistically significant impact on mental health outcomes. As a broader category, GLP-1 receptor agonists collectively reduced the risk of self-harm (0.56, 0.34–0.92).
These findings suggest that semaglutide and liraglutide might serve as promising dual-purpose therapeutics for individuals suffering from diabetes in tandem with mood disorders. Future randomized controlled trials are necessary to further elucidate these preliminary results. [NPID: GLP-1, diabetes, mental health, anxiety, depression]
Year: 2026
