Advances in therapyFeb 23, 2023

Use of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Real-World Medical Practice in Spain

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Mar 19, 2026

Abstract

Only a limited number of patients with (T2D) worldwide are benefiting from glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 ), despite their potential cardiovascular and renal benefits.

Guidelines recommend GLP-1 RAs for T2D patients at high risk of or with established cardiovascular disease (CVD), independent of blood sugar control.
There is a significant gap between expert guidelines and real-world use of GLP-1 RAs in Spain.
Administrative issues, lack of awareness regarding cardiovascular benefits, clinical inertia, rejection of injectable treatments, and costs may contribute to this gap.
Strategies to improve GLP-1 RA usage could involve a multidisciplinary approach among healthcare providers, increased awareness of comorbidities, and better education on the cardioprotective effects of these drugs.

Simplified

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 ) are a class of drugs with potent glucose-lowering activity. Additionally, some GLP-1 RAs have demonstrated cardiovascular and renal benefits. Current guidelines recommend their use in patients with (T2D) at high risk of or with established cardiovascular disease (CVD), regardless of glycaemic control, with lifestyle modification and metformin. However, several studies have recently highlighted the limited number of patients with T2D benefiting from these medications worldwide. Given the huge burden of CVD among patients with T2D, efforts should be made to bring clinical practice closer to expert guidelines. This review describes the current situation of GLP-1 RA use in Spain and the reasons behind the gap between guidelines and real-world practice and suggests possible solutions. Administrative issues, lack of awareness of the cardiovascular benefits, clinical inertia, rejection of injectable medication and costs could be some of the reasons for the current situation. Possible strategies that could help to close the gap include encouraging a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of diabetes which involves cardiologists, endocrinologists, nephrologists, primary care providers and pharmacists; improved awareness of comorbidities and earlier evaluation and treatment or risks; and better education of healthcare providers regarding the cardioprotective benefits of these drugs.

Key numbers

3.2%

GLP-1 RA Prescription Rate

Percentage of patients in Spain starting GLP-1 RA treatment.

21.8%

CVD Presence at Initiation

Proportion of patients with CVD when initiating GLP-1 .

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Use of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Real-World Medical Practice in Spain

Abstract

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You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

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