Why carry out this study?

We previously demonstrated that a premorbid prescription of either glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i), compared to dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP-4i), is associated with reduced severity of COVID-19 through analyses of observational data from the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C).

With access to a sixfold larger N3C cohort gathered over approximately 3 years of the pandemic (1 January 2020–15 September 2022), we reassessed the association of GLP-1RA or SGLT-2i prescriptions alone and in combination with COVID-19 severity.

What was learned from this study?

Prescriptions for GLP-1RA and SGLT-2i continue to be associated with lower COVID-19 mortality compared to prescriptions for DPP-4i.

When compared to the use of SGLT-2i alone, concomitant prescription of GLP-1RA/SGLT-2i is associated with lower odds of secondary outcomes, including emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and mechanical ventilation, suggesting that there may be additive, protective effects from the concomitant use of GLP-1RA/SGLT-2i in the context of COVID-19.