New Study Links Diabetes Drugs to Slower Frailty in Older Adults

A recent study reveals that older adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can benefit from specific medications that may help slow the progression of frailty. Those who initiated treatment with sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, such as empagliflozin (Jardiance) and dapagliflozin (Farxiga), or glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic) and liraglutide (Victoza), showed a reduction in frailty progression over the course of one year. This finding suggests these therapies may play a role beyond their established effects on blood sugar control and cardiovascular health.

The study, titled “Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists, and Frailty Progression in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes,” was published in Diabetes Care in March 2025. The research focused on older adults who had just begun different types of diabetes medications and followed their health outcomes for one year. Researchers noted that individuals taking SGLT-2 inhibitors or GLP-1 receptor agonists experienced less frailty, characterized by symptoms such as weakness, reduced mobility, and fatigue, compared to those starting other diabetes medications.

Strong evidence supported these findings, with participants using GLP-1 receptor agonists demonstrating a mean change in a validated claims-based frailty index (CFI) of –0.007 (95% CI: –0.011 to –0.004) and those on SGLT-2 inhibitors showing a mean change of –0.005 (95% CI: –0.008 to –0.002). In contrast, users of DPP-4 inhibitors did not show significant differences in frailty progression. Notably, the analysis indicated that cardiovascular or other safety events accounted for only a small portion of the effect, hinting at a direct benefit of these medications on frailty itself.

The implications of this research are significant, especially considering that frailty affects approximately 10% to 15% of individuals over the age of 65, with even higher rates among those with type 2 diabetes. The chronic inflammation, muscle loss, and cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes contribute to this vulnerability. Frailty is linked to falls, disability, hospitalizations, and a decreased lifespan, making its management crucial in geriatric care.

Dr. Chanmi Park, the lead author of the study and Assistant Scientist I at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, emphasized the importance of these findings. “While SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists are primarily prescribed for blood sugar control and heart protection, our findings show they may also help older adults with diabetes stay stronger and less vulnerable to health setbacks,” she stated.

As frailty can be challenging to reverse once it develops, identifying effective strategies to slow its progression is essential for improving the quality of life in aging populations. The study’s results suggest that clinicians may need to reassess medication choices for older patients with diabetes, taking into account the potential benefits of these therapies in maintaining strength and functional ability.

With a growing emphasis on healthy aging, these findings could lead to changes in treatment protocols, underscoring the need for continued research into the multifaceted benefits of diabetes medications. More information is available in the full study published in Diabetes Care.