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# Older GLP-1 starters were younger and healthier than those starting other diabetes drugs
- URL: https://www.coios.me/older-glp-1-starters-were-younger-and-healthier-than-those/
- Published: 2026-10-06T12:55:32.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-06T17:09:33.000Z
- Description: Among 58,754 adults aged 65 and over with type 2 diabetes in one regional health system, GLP-1 receptor agonist initiators were on average 75.2 years old against 77.7 for SGLT2 inhibitors and 79.5 for DPP-4 inhibitors, with mean BMI 33.8 against 29.7 and 28.6 kg/m2.
- Author: Daniel Ryan
- Tags: Behavioural science, Adherence and persistence, Obesity, diabetes and GLP-1, United States, #preprint, #confirms, #item, #source-2026-10

A retrospective cohort in a regional health system compared new initiators of GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors and DPP-4 inhibitors among 58,754 adults aged 65 and over with type 2 diabetes, 2018-2026\. GLP-1 initiators were younger (17.7% aged 80 and over against 35.0% and 47.6%), heavier (72.1% with BMI 30 or above against 41.9% and 34.0%) and had less dementia, heart failure and renal disease, with fewer hospitalisations in the prior year. BMI above 27 kg/m2 was the strongest positive predictor of GLP-1 initiation, and heart failure and prior hospitalisation the strongest negative ones.

*Why it is interesting: Quantifies how far GLP-1 starters differ at baseline from starters of other diabetes drugs, in age, adiposity and comorbidity.*

Source

[medRxiv, 5 October 2026](https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.09.29.26364340?ref=coios.me)

DOI

10.64898/2026.09.29.26364340

Type

Preprint

Design

Retrospective cohort of 58,754 adults aged 65+ with type 2 diabetes in one regional health system, 2018-2026, comparing new initiators of GLP-1RA (n=5,095), SGLT2i (n=5,483) and DPP-4i (n=1,516)

Verdict

Confirms prior evidence

Driver

[Adherence and persistence](https://www.coios.me/d-adherence/)

Driver

[Obesity, diabetes and GLP-1](https://www.coios.me/d-obesity-diabetes/)