Concomitant use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in patients with psoriasis or hidradenitis suppurativa receiving bimekizumab: Cross-sectional analysis of US claims data
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Patients with psoriasis (PSO) and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have higher rates of comorbid obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than the general population. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are indicated for obesity/T2DM. Bimekizumab (BKZ), a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody selectively inhibiting IL-17F in addition to IL-17A, is approved for moderate-to-severe plaque PSO and HS. Evaluating the extent of concomitant GLP-1RA/BKZ use in routine practice, and characterizing patients receiving both treatments, can inform management of PSO/HS and comorbid obesity/T2DM. We assessed the prevalence of concomitant GLP-1RA use in BKZ-treated patients with PSO/HS and the characteristics of those receiving both treatments in a cross-sectional analysis of US claims data. Procedure: Data were taken from the Komodo Health database, including open/closed claims from Medicare and Commercial insurances (BKZ US approval: Oct 2023 for PSO; Nov 2024 for HS). Eligible patients: ≥18 years, with a PSO/HS diagnosis, and ≥1 BKZ claim in the selection period (Nov 1, 2023–Dec 7, 2025). Concomitant GLP-1RA/BKZ use was defined as any treatment overlap in this period; index date was first overlap day. For overlap before Nov 1, 2023, index date was Nov 1, 2023; in patients with multiple episodes of concomitant GLP-1RA/BKZ use, first overlap was index date. Primary endpoint was prevalence of concomitant GLP-1RA/BKZ use for the whole selection period and by year, evaluated per indication. Data are reported as observed with 95% CI. Subgroup analyses were performed by sex, age group, and comorbidity; sensitivity analysis was restricted to closed claims. Secondary endpoint was patient characteristics at index date for those receiving concomitant GLP-1RA/BKZ treatment. Results: During selection period, 18,665 and 5,082 patients with PSO and HS received BKZ treatment, respectively. Prevalence (95% CI) of concomitant GLP-1RA use was 20.1% (19.5–20.7%) and 23.0% (21.9–24.2%). GLP-1RA use was higher in females and those ≥46–≤65 years. Patients with obesity and T2DM had higher prevalence of GLP-1RA use vs patients with neither (PSO/HS: 48.1%/49.5% vs 4.2%/4.3%); sensitivity analysis provided similar results. Among PSO/HS patients receiving both GLP-1RA and BKZ (N=3,754/N=1,170), mean age: 53.6/46.5 years; females: 62.2%/74.3%. For both PSO/HS groups, most patients (76.7%/82.5%) started GLP-1RA before BKZ, 89.6%/84.6% were biologic-experienced; >95% had a cardiometabolic condition. Semaglutide and tirzepatide accounted for ~40% and ~50% of prescribed GLP-1RAs in all BKZ-treated patients, respectively. Dermatologists often prescribed BKZ (PSO: 39.8%; HS: 50.9%) but rarely GLP-1RAs (PSO: 0.4%; HS: 1.3%). Conclusion: In routine clinical practice during study period, concomitant GLP-1RA use (>20% overall) in bimekizumab-treated patients with PSO/HS increased. This, along with the high comorbidity rates in patients receiving concomitant treatment, reflects a complex and multimorbid population. Most PSO/HS patients initiated bimekizumab after GLP-1RAs, suggesting continued need for effective treatment of these inflammatory diseases alongside management of metabolic comorbidities.
DOI: 10.25251/5xcv9n94
Language: English
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7225730992