North Texas Research Forum 2026

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Division

North Texas

Hospital

Medical City Denton

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2026

Keywords

total knee arthroplasty, TKA, GLP-1, glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Orthopedics | Surgical Procedures, Operative

Abstract

Introduction Glucagon-Like-Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1a) medications are commonly prescribed to treat diabetes and obesity, however, their effects on the outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) remain largely unclear. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the outcomes of patients undergoing TKA while using a GLP-1a medication.

Methods A search was conducted across MEDLINE/Pubmed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Embase databases. The search used a combination of keywords and Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms. Titles and abstracts were screened for eligibility. Full texts were then screened and included if they met eligibility criteria. Demographics and results were extracted from the articles that met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate outcomes.

Results Twelve studies, including over one million TKA patients, met inclusion criteria; eleven were retrospective and one was a prospective study. All included studies were of moderate quality. Six studies were applied to our meta-analysis, which showed GLP-1a use significantly reduced postoperative infection risk (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62–0.96; p=0.02) without increasing readmission, periprosthetic fracture, or overall complication rates. Limited long-term data showed GLP-1a use resulted in no detriment and possible benefits in revision reduction and discharge disposition.

Conclusion GLP-1a appear to be a safe adjunct for patients undergoing TKA, with consistent evidence of reduced infection risk and no increase in revision or overall complication rates. While certain subgroups may be more susceptible to short-term adverse events, the overall risk-benefit profile favors their use, particularly in obese and diabetic patients who face the highest perioperative risks. These findings support the growing role of GLP-1a medications in surgical optimization and highlight the need for prospective evaluation to guide standardized perioperative protocols.

Original Publisher

HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education

Outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) in Patients on Glucagon-Like-Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1a): A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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