From the Journals

Surgery Versus GLP-1: Long-Term Diabetes Outcomes

Metabolic surgery associated with lower mortality and retinopathy risk versus glucagon-like peptide-1 therapy in diabetes and obesity.

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A 10-year study published in Nature Medicine reveals that metabolic surgery significantly outperforms glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist medications in reducing death rates among patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Analyzing 3,932 adults treated at the Cleveland Clinic from 2010–2017, the study found that surgery reduced all-cause mortality by one-third compared to medication. It showed lower rates of major cardiovascular events, nephropathy, and retinopathy, while also leading to greater weight loss and improvements in hemoglobin A1c levels. These findings highlight the added survival benefits of metabolic surgery amidst advancing medical treatments.

Original Source(s)

Surgery Versus GLP-1: Long-Term Diabetes Outcomes

Metabolic surgery associated with lower mortality and retinopathy risk versus glucagon-like peptide-1 therapy in diabetes and obesity.

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • September 24, 2025

  • 2 min

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