GLP-1s May Reduce Asthma Exacerbations in Non-Diabetic Overweight Patients

GLP-1s were linked to a significant reduction in asthma exacerbations among non-diabetic patients who are overweight or obese in a study presented at the recent American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology meeting.

The trial, which was based on data from the TriNetX global collaborative network, included 710 overweight participants, 1,515 obese participants, and 1,249 morbidly obese participants. The body mass index was used to define the three categories.

Asthma exacerbation rates were compared over a three-year period between those who began treatment with a GLP-1 and those who did not.

Specific findings showed:

• In the overweight group, GLP-1 initiation was associated with a 14.6% reduced risk of asthma exacerbation.
• In the obese group, GLP-1 use was associated with 12.2% reduced risk of asthma exacerbation.
• In the morbidly obese group, GLP-1 initiation was associated with a 13.3% reduced risk of asthma exacerbation. 
• All the results were statistically significant.

The authors note this is the largest real-world retrospective cohort comparison study to date to examine the effect of GLP-1 treatment in this patient population. They believe these results highlight the role weight loss may play in reducing asthma exacerbations in overweight or obese patients without diabetes and identify a potential benefit of using GPL-1 therapy to treat these patients.

“Asthma exacerbations can be disruptive for patients, especially those living with obesity, who often have fewer effective treatment options,” said study author Ruchi Patel, MD, from Rutgers NJMS, who conducted the research along with colleagues from the Drexel University College of Medicine and the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“Our findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists may be associated with fewer asthma exacerbations in non-diabetic patients, pointing to a promising new direction that could ultimately improve day-to-day asthma control and quality of life,” she said. 

Highlighted in RC Buzz March 16, 2026