# P-226. GLP-1 Use and Outcomes in Persons with and without HIV

**Authors:** Cassidy Boomsma, Jacob Sinkowitz, Angela T Perez Villalobos, Sainabou Jallow, Rajeev Agrawal, Amanda B Spence

PMC · DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaf695.448 · 2026-01-11

## TL;DR

This study compares GLP-1 medication use and outcomes in people with and without HIV, finding similar comorbidities but differing results in BMI reduction.

## Contribution

The study provides real-world evidence on GLP-1 use in people with HIV, highlighting demographic and outcome differences.

## Key findings

- PWH had shorter GLP-1 use and lower BMI reduction compared to non-HIV individuals.
- Semaglutide injection was the most commonly prescribed GLP-1 in PWH.
- Comorbidities were similar between groups, but outcomes and demographics differed.

## Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are approved for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. Their benefits include cardiovascular risk reduction, renal protection, and potential prevention of cognitive dysfunction. Early clinical trials in persons with HIV (PWH) showed improvements in lipohypertrophy and steatotic liver disease. Given the high burden of cardiometabolic comorbidities among PWH, GLP-1 receptor agonists may offer significant health benefits. Evaluation of real-world GLP-1 medication use and efficacy in PWH is needed.

Using electronic health record data, we identified all PWH seen at a MedStar Health infectious disease or primary care clinic between 2013 – 2024 who were prescribed a GLP-1. PWH were age-matched (2:1) to individuals without HIV. Demographics, HIV status, body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), comorbidities (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia), and GLP-1 type and duration of use were extracted. We compared GLP-1 indications and health outcomes by HIV status.

A total of 625 PWH and 1,235 age-matched persons without HIV were included. The mean age was 58 years (SD 11.8). The PWH had higher proportion of males (56% vs. 38%) and African American population (82% vs. 48%). Baseline BMI, HbA1c, and prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were similar across groups. However, PWH had lower prevalence of obesity (68% vs 78%) and shorter mean duration of GLP-1 use (19 vs. 22 months). Initial review of PWH using GLP-1 from 2020-2024 (n=91) indicates the most commonly prescribed GLP-1 is semaglutide injection (59%). Among patients with >3 months of GLP-1 use, a smaller proportion of PWH experienced a BMI reduction (45.1% vs. 50.5%), with a lower mean BMI change (–0.06 vs. –1.5).

Persons with and without HIV had similar comorbidities, but differences in demographics and outcomes require further assessment. Ongoing studies in this population are needed to evaluate medication access, tolerance, and long-term cardiometabolic outcomes.

All Authors: No reported disclosures

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** GLP-1 (PubChem CID 16133831), semaglutide (PubChem CID 56843331)
- **Diseases:** diabetes (MONDO:0005015), obesity (MONDO:0011122), hyperlipidemia (MONDO:0021187)

## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12792302/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12792302