Investigation of GLP-1RA semaglutide and systemic inflammation index ratios in type 2 diabetes with and without retinopathy: a retrospective study

The study aims to investigate systemic inflammation index ratios among patients with type 2 diabetes receiving GLP-1RA. This retrospective cohort study included patients with type 2 diabetes who received at least 1 mg of Semaglutide (GLP-1RA) after 3 months at the outpatient clinics of King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Inflammatory biomarker data were collected from the BestCare patients’ electronic medical records system at two time points, pre-GLP-1RA and post-GLP-1RA, and correlational analyses were performed to identify predictors of retinopathy among patients with type 2 diabetes. Participants were divided into two groups: Pre-GLP-1RA and post-GLP-1RA. Laboratory data were collected, including leukocyte counts (neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, and monocytes), lipid profile components (total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides), and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and albumin). Systemic inflammation index ratios were subsequently calculated. Following GLP-1RA therapy, LDL-C, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels decreased significantly. In the post-treatment period, the correlation between CRP and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte-to-platelet ratio (NLPR) varied by retinopathy status. A total of 99 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in the study, 55 males (55.6%) and 44 females (44.4%), with a mean age of 57.2 ± 10.48 years. In T2D patients receiving GLP-1RA therapy, laboratory findings showed statistically significant increases in post-GLP-1RA levels of some systemic inflammatory biomarkers: albumin, NLR, PLR, and NLPR. In the correlation study, CRP and NLPR showed distinct correlation patterns by retinopathy status; negative in patients without retinopathy and positive in those with retinopathy, with no statistically significant differences. An increase in inflammatory biomarkers was observed following GLP-1RA treatment, suggesting a potential alteration in systemic inflammation, a potential predictor of retinopathy progression in patients with type 2 diabetes. Not applicable.