Objective:

To evaluate the impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on symptom burden in patients with fibromyalgia.

Approach:

• Study Design: Real-world evidence analysis using data from the TriNetX research network over a 5-year follow-up period.
• Cohort Comparison: Comparison between two cohorts: patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists and those with no documented use.
• Outcome Measures: Outcomes included opioid use, fatigue, chronic pain, ongoing fibromyalgia care, disability, BMI, and hemoglobin A1c levels.

Key Findings:

• Patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists had significantly lower opioid use (OR = 0.6, risk difference = -12.6%, P < .001).
• Fatigue and malaise were lower in the GLP-1 group (OR = 0.576, risk difference -10.8%, P < .001).
• Reduced chronic and unspecified pain in the GLP-1 group (OR = 0.682, risk difference = -9.1%, P < .001).
• Lower need for ongoing fibromyalgia care and subsequent diagnoses in the GLP-1 group (OR = 0.512, risk difference = -16.6%, P < .001).
• No significant difference in disability (OR = 0.953, risk difference = 0%, P = .827).

Interpretation:

Limitations:

• Observational study design limits the ability to establish causality.
• Further evaluation through randomized controlled trials is recommended.

Conclusion:

Sources:

• EULAR Congress 2025