Association Between Preoperative GLP-1 Receptor Analog Use and Postoperative Complications and Mortality Following Lumbar Fusion Surgery

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Abstract

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study. Objectives: This study evaluates the association between preoperative GLP-1 RA (glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor antagonist) use and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery. Methods: TriNetX database identified patients undergoing lumbar fusion within 20 years using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). Patients were categorized by GLP-1 RA use within 1 year preoperatively. 1:1 propensity score match (PSM) balanced demographics and comorbidities including race/ethnicity, age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, nicotine dependence, sleep apnea, ischemic heart diseases, chronic kidney disease, acute kidney failure, mood disorders, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, alcohol dependence, anemia, and vitamin D deficiency. Primary outcomes were 1-year complications postoperatively. Chi-square analysis, risk ratios (RRs), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and P-values were calculated; significance was P < 0.05. Results: 4331 patients using preoperative GLP-1 RA were propensity score-matched with 179,268 controls without GLP-1 RA use, resulting in 4331 patients in each cohort after matching. At 1 year, GLP-1 RA users had significant reductions in DVT (1.4% vs 2.3%, RR = 0.64, 95% CI [0.464-0.883], P = 0.0061), PE (1.1% vs 1.6%, RR = 0.689, 95% CI [0.476-0.997], P = 0.0466), sepsis (4.0% vs 5.0%, RR = 0.811, 95% CI [0.66-0.995], P = 0.0447), all-cause mortality (2.1% vs 4.6%, RR = 0.46, 95% CI [0.36-0.589], P < 0.0001), pneumonia (2.4% vs 3.3%, RR = 0.716, 95% CI [0.548-0.936], P = 0.0139), and pseudoarthrosis (8.9% vs 13.8%, RR = 0.642, 95% CI [0.564-0.732], P < 0.0001) compared to non-users. Conclusions: Preoperative GLP-1 RA use is associated with a reduction in postoperative complications following lumbar fusion surgery. Further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and evaluate long-term outcomes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number21925682251391693
JournalGlobal Spine Journal
DOIs
StateAccepted/In press - 2025

Keywords

  • GLP-1 analogs
  • lumbar arthrodesis
  • lumbar fusion surgery
  • postoperative complications
  • postoperative outcomes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Clinical Neurology

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