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Maria Eduarda A Carvalho, MD; Olga Saletska, APN; Alisha Wilson APN; Silvana Pannain, MD.
University of Chicago, Pontificial Catholic University of Paraná
ABSTRACT:
The Impact of GLP-1 RAs on Alcohol Consumption: A Case Study Analysis
Maria Eduarda A Carvalho, MD; Olga Saletska, APN; Alisha Wilson APN; Silvana Pannain, MD.
Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) affects 280 million people globally, leading to significant health impacts and high relapse rates, even with treatment. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs), used for type 2 diabetes and obesity, have shown potential in reducing alcohol consumption in preclinical studies. The aim of this study was to Investigate the association and the impact of GLP1RA on alcohol consumption through a case study analysis.
Methods: A prospective chart review was conducted to assess the impact of GLP1RAs treatment on alcohol intake in patients seeking treatment for obesity at an US outpatient clinic. All patients seeking care at our clinic are asked to complete an intake survey, which includes the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), a 10-item screening tool developed by the World Health Organization to assess alcohol consumption, drinking behaviors, and alcohol-related problems. The AUDIT score categorizes individuals into risk levels: Low Risk (0–7); Hazardous Use (8–15): Harmful Use (16–19); Possible Alcohol Dependence (20 or higher). Patients with baseline AUDIT score ≥ 8 were included in this study. All patients were prescribed a GLP1RAs for the treatment of obesity and had a follow-up AUDIT score and weight assessment while on maintenance treatment.
Results: The cohort included 4 men and 8 women, with a mean age of 49.2 ± 12.6 years and a mean BMI of 39.3 ± 13kg/m2. Initial AUDIT scores averaged 15.4 ± 7.1 (range 8 to 29, with scores of 8-15 indicating moderate-risk drinking, 16-19 high-risk and ≥ 20 suggesting likely alcohol dependence). Eight patients received semaglutide, one patient received liraglutide, and three patients received tirzepatide. After a follow-up of 9.5 months, patients showed a mean weight loss of 15.7 ± 7.4kg and a mean AUDIT score reduction of 12 ± 7.4 points (P value < 0.001), indicating a shift to low-risk drinking.One patient with severe dependency achieved an AUDIT score of 0 after combined therapy with tirzepatide and oral naltrexone.
Conclusion: All patients experienced significant reductions in both weight and alcohol intake, with follow-up AUDIT scores indicating low-risk drinking. These findings align with preclinical studies, suggesting GLP1RAs may reduce alcohol consumption. Randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm these results and establish causality
Limitations of the study are a small and non-randomized sample and, as a descriptive study, it can highlight trends or associations, but it cannot confirm cause-and-effect relationships.
# ALCOHOL USE DISORDER #GLP-1RA #OBESITY
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