Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have been hypothesized to lower complications related to peripheral arterial disease (PAD) through systemic and vascular effects. This meta-analysis assessed whether GLP-1 RAs reduce major adverse limb events (MALE) among individuals with diabetes and diagnosed PAD. The study was published in Diabetes Therapy.

A structured search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and SCOPUS through 16 June 2025 identified randomized controlled trials reporting PAD-related limb outcomes. Five trials met predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, contributing data from 25,067 participants. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently in duplicate. Random-effects models were used for pooled analyses, and meta-analyses were performed using Cochrane-RevMan.

Across trials, 433 revascularization events were reported. GLP-1 RA treatment was not associated with a statistically significant difference in revascularization compared with control (log odds ratio 0.87; 95% confidence interval 0.73–1.05; p = 0.13). Two studies reported amputation outcomes comprising 224 events, with no statistically significant association observed (log odds ratio 0.82; 95% confidence interval 0.53–1.27; p = 0.37). 

In this meta-analysis of randomized trials, GLP-1 RAs were not associated with statistically significant differences in limb outcomes among individuals with diabetes and PAD.