Back to 2026 Abstracts
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy is Not Associated With Increased Complications After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for Distal Radius Fractures in Diabetic Patients
Brooke S Halpin, BS
1, Alejandro M Holle, BS
2, Annika N Hiredesai, BA
1, Jens T Verhey, MD
3, Kevin J Renfree, MD
4; Shelley S. Noland, MD
3(1)Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, (2)Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Scottsdale, AZ, (3)Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, (4)Orthopaedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ
Introduction: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) are commonly used in the management of diabetes, yet their effects on surgical outcomes following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for distal radius fractures remain underexplored. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of GLP-1s on postoperative outcomes in patients with diabetes undergoing ORIF for distal radius fracture.
Methods: A retrospective matched cohort study was conducted using the PearlDiver database. Patients who underwent ORIF for distal radius fracture were identified with Current Procedural Terminology Codes. Only patients with diabetes and those with at least 2 years of follow-up in the database were included. Patients who were on GLP-1s were propensity score matched to those not on GLP-1s based on age, gender, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and its components. After matching, 707 patients were included in each group, with no significant differences in baseline demographics or comorbidities. Ninety day and two-year complications were analyzed using chi-square tests and odds ratios.
Results: The pooled 90-day complication rate was 6.4% in the control group and 6.6% in the GLP-1 group (OR 1.05, 95% CI: 0.69-1.60, p=0.91). There were no significant differences in emergency department visits within 90 days (13.7% vs. 11.9%, OR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.62-1.15, p=0.14) or hospital readmissions (4.5% vs. 5.0%, OR 1.10, 95% CI: 0.67-1.80, p=0.80). At two years, the rate of nonunion was similar between groups (2.0% vs. 2.5%, OR 1.29, 95% CI: 0.63-2.64, p=0.48). There were no significant differences in any other 2-year surgical complications between groups.
Conclusion: GLP-1 use was not associated with an increased or decreased risk of perioperative or long-term complications following ORIF for distal radius fractures in patients with diabetes. These findings suggest that GLP-1 use may not significantly impact surgical or post-surgical fracture outcomes and should be investigated more broadly in fracture care.
Back to 2026 Abstracts
