A new study has found that some diabetes medications may do more than just control blood sugar.
Older adults with type 2 diabetes who started taking certain newer medications—such as empagliflozin (Jardiance), dapagliflozin (Farxiga), semaglutide (Ozempic), or liraglutide (Victoza)—were less likely to become frail over time.
These medications, known as SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists, appear to help patients maintain strength, movement, and energy as they age.
Frailty is a condition where a person becomes weaker, slower, and more tired. It can lead to falls, disability, hospital stays, and even early death.
It is especially common in older adults with type 2 diabetes, because this disease can damage the heart, muscles, and overall health over many years. Once frailty sets in, it is very hard to reverse, so doctors are looking for ways to slow it down before it becomes serious.
The new research followed older adults for one year after they started taking different diabetes medications. The researchers wanted to see if some drugs were better than others at slowing the progression of frailty.
They used Medicare health records from across the U.S. and focused on changes in something called a “frailty index,” which is a way of measuring how much a person’s health has declined.
The results showed that people who began taking SGLT-2 inhibitors or GLP-1 receptor agonists had a slower decline in their frailty index compared to people who started other types of diabetes medications, like DPP-4 inhibitors or sulfonylureas.
This means they were less likely to become weak, slow, or tired over the year. Interestingly, the researchers found that the benefits could not be explained entirely by heart health improvements, which suggests these drugs may have a direct effect on preventing frailty.
The study measured the average change in the frailty index, and those on the newer drugs had smaller increases in their scores, meaning they stayed healthier.
For example, people on GLP-1 receptor agonists had a slightly lower change in their frailty score compared to those on DPP-4 inhibitors. Although the difference was small, it was meaningful because it showed a slower health decline in a group that is often at high risk.
About 10 to 15 percent of people over age 65 experience frailty, and the number is even higher for those with type 2 diabetes.
These patients often face many challenges, such as inflammation, muscle loss, and heart disease, all of which can make frailty worse. Finding ways to slow down frailty is very important, especially because there is no easy cure once it starts.
This study gives doctors a new reason to consider these newer medications for older adults. Dr. Chanmi Park, the lead author, explained that while these drugs are mostly used to manage blood sugar and protect the heart, they may also help older people stay stronger and avoid some of the worst problems related to aging with diabetes.
This could change how doctors choose medications for older patients.
In summary, this research adds to growing evidence that SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists may offer valuable benefits beyond diabetes control. They may help older adults maintain independence and live healthier lives for longer.
While more research is needed, this study is an encouraging step forward in the care of aging people with diabetes.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about diabetes and vitamin B12, and the right diet for people with type 2 diabetes.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat smart with diabetes, and turmeric and vitamin D: a duo for blood pressure control in diabetic patients.
The study is published in Diabetes Care.
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