Tirzepatide versus other glucose-lowering therapies and risk of COPD exacerbations in patients with comorbid type 2 diabetes: a retrospective cohort study

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) frequently coexist, sharing inflammatory and metabolic pathways. Tirzepatide (TZP), a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, has demonstrated metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its impact on pulmonary outcomes in patients with COPD and T2D remains uncertain. Methods Using the TriNetX global research network, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults with coexisting COPD and T2D prescribed TZP, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i), or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA). Propensity score matching (1:1) was performed separately for each comparison. Primary outcome was COPD exacerbation; secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, acute respiratory failure, and lower respiratory tract infection. Outcomes were assessed during a prespecified observation period from day one through day 365 after the index date. Results Matched populations included 6,080 patients per group (TZP–SGLT2i), 4,684 (TZP–DPP-4i), and 6,727 (TZP–GLP-1RA). In the independently matched comparisons, median follow-up was 232 versus 365 days for TZP versus SGLT2i, 235 versus 365 days for TZP versus DPP-4i, and 233 versus 365 days for TZP versus other GLP-1RAs; incidence rates were expressed per 1,000 person-years. Compared with SGLT2i and DPP-4i, TZP significantly reduced COPD exacerbation risk (hazard ratio [HR] 0.73 [95% CI 0.64–0.82] and 0.72 [95% CI 0.63–0.82], respectively) and all-cause mortality (HR 0.30 [95% CI 0.23–0.38] and 0.24 [95% CI 0.18–0.31], respectively). TZP also reduced acute respiratory failure and lower respiratory tract infection risks. Outcomes were similar between TZP and GLP-1RA, except TZP showed lower mortality (HR 0.55 [95% CI 0.42–0.72]). Conclusion Among patients with COPD and T2D, TZP use was associated with lower risks of COPD exacerbations, respiratory complications, and mortality compared with SGLT2i and DPP-4i, findings that warrant confirmation through randomized clinical trials.