Research
Study links GLP-1 use with nail disorders and hair loss
The study found more reported nail and hair problems among GLP-1 users, but did not establish causation, and a new-onset nail analysis found no association.
A study presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology meeting found more reported nail and hair problems among users of GLP-1 receptor agonists than among people who had not used the drugs. Researchers compared 575 users with 1,329 controls with type 2 diabetes and/or obesity. MedPage Today reported that 66.3% of users and 52.8% of controls reported a nail disorder. Healio reported new-onset hair loss in 26.1% of users and 11.6% of controls.
The reports differ on a nail finding: Healio said nail detachment affected 39.3% of users and 8.7% of controls, and reported onycholysis at 49.2% and 29.7%, respectively. MedPage Today described the 39.3% and 8.7% figures as onycholysis. MedPage also reported that an analysis limited to nail problems starting after treatment began found no association.
The findings do not establish that the drugs caused the changes. MedPage reported that about half of users had nail problems before treatment and that the results came from an online survey without dermatologists examining participants. Healio reported that researchers plan a prospective study to track changes from treatment start.
