Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist use is associated with increased risk of perioperative complication and readmission following shoulder arthroplasty.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, increasingly used for diabetes management and weight loss, have been linked to lower readmission rates after knee and hip arthroplasty. However, their impact on total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) outcomes remains unclear. This study investigates the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on major complications and revisions following TSA.

Methods: A retrospective query of the TriNetX database from 2010 to 2023 was performed to identify patients who underwent anatomic or reverse TSA and were prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists. GLP-1 receptor agonist users were 1:1 propensity score-matched to controls for demographic factors and comorbidities, yielding 1259 patients in each group. Outcomes included 90-day postoperative medical complications and readmission and revision surgery at 2 years. Odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals, and P values were calculated. After Bonferroni correction, P < .005 was considered significant.

Results: GLP-1 receptor agonist users (n = 1259) experienced significantly higher rates of deep vein thrombosis (1.6% vs. 0.9%; OR 3.0; P = .001), myocardial infarction (1.60% vs. 0.9%; OR 2.84; P = .003), pneumonia (3.34% vs. 1.50%; OR 2.25; P = .003), transfusion (7.1% vs. 4.3%; OR 1.7; P = .003), and readmission (8.1% vs. 5.2%; OR 1.6; P = .004) in the 90-day postoperative period compared to patients not taking GLP-1 receptor agonists. There were no differences in the rates of stroke, pulmonary embolism, postoperative anemia, or renal failure. In patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up (n = 776), there was no difference in revision rate (3.2% vs. 1.8%; OR 1.8; P = .07).

Conclusion: GLP-1 receptor agonist use during TSA was associated with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, pneumonia, need for transfusion, and readmission. Further investigation into the perioperative risk assessment and medical optimization of patients utilizing GLP-1 receptor agonists may be warranted.