Likelihood of Psych Disorders Lower With Weight-Loss Surgery Versus GLP-1 RAs
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, June 20, 2025 -- People undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) are less likely to develop psychiatric disorders than those treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), according to a study presented the annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, held from June 15 to 19 in Washington, D.C.
Abdallah Attia, M.D., from the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, and colleagues compared the risk for psychiatric disorders among patients treated with GLP-1 RAs (semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide) versus MBS during a five-year follow-up in a retrospective cohort analysis. Each cohort included 33,600 patients after propensity score matching.
The researchers found that compared with treatment with GLP-1 RAs, MBS was associated with a significantly lower risk for anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and cognitive deficits (hazard ratios, 0.60, 0.61, and 0.36, respectively). No significant differences were seen for psychotic disorders or posttraumatic stress disorder. No meaningful differences were seen between the groups for rare conditions, including dissociative and impulse-control disorders.
"The data supports embedding psychiatric screening and support within both surgical and medical obesity programs to help reduce the potential mental health burden after treatment," coauthor Shauna Levy, M.D., also from Tulane University School Medicine, said in a statement. "Further investigation is needed, however, to determine why the psychological impact is so different between treatment modalities."
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted June 2025
Read this next
People With Disabilities Have High Rates of Loneliness
FRIDAY, Aug. 8, 2025 -- Loneliness among people with disabilities (PWD) is high, according to a study published online Aug. 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Maggie...
Higher Intake of Total Potatoes Linked to Type 2 Diabetes Risk
THURSDAY, Aug. 7, 2025 -- A higher intake of total potatoes, especially French fries, is associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a study...
Oseltamivir for Flu Tied to Reduced Risk for Serious Neuropsychiatric Events in Children
THURSDAY, Aug. 7, 2025 -- Oseltamivir treatment during influenza episodes is associated with a reduced risk for serious neuropsychiatric events among children and teens, according...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.