Abstract Title Investigating the Association Between Ozempic Use and Psoriasis: An Analysis of FDA Adverse Event Reporting System Data from 2019-2024.

Background GLP-1 agonists, including Ozempic, are prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. While it is used for blood glucose control, the added advantage of Ozempic is weight reduction in patients with and without diabetes; because of this, its usage has increased over the years and has run into a shortage issue. Even though Ozempic is very effective for weight reduction and diabetes management, there have been cases described with adverse events, including psoriasis. This study aims to investigate a potential association between using Ozempic and psoriasis as an adverse event by analyzing cases of reported adverse events from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System from 2019-2024.

Methods In the FAERS database, the search terms "Ozempic" and "psoriasis" were used to identify reported cases of psoriasis in patients treated with Ozempic from 2019 to 2024. Non-plaque psoriasis variants, including pustular, guttate, and erythrodermic psoriasis, were excluded during data retrieval. Descriptive statistics, including Chi-Square tests, correlation analysis, and trend visualizations, were used to analyze case counts, age, gender, and severity.

Results In the FAERS database, from 2019 to June 2024, a total of 20 cases of psoriasis associated with Ozempic use were identified. Most cases lacked specified age data. The gender distribution was nearly equal, with 10 cases in males, 9 in females, and 1 with unspecified gender. Hospitalization was reported in one case. Statistical analysis using a Chi-Square test revealed no significant association between age, gender, and the development of psoriasis (χ² = 4.52, p = 0.34, dof = 4). A statistically significant association between Ozempic use and the development of psoriasis was observed (χ² = 5.75, p = 0.026, dof = 1). A trend analysis signified a slight increase in psoriasis cases over time, with the highest reported cases occurring in 2023. However, the correlation was weak (r = 0.147).

Conclusion The study's findings imply that Ozempic use may be related to the development of psoriasis. However, the study is significantly limited by its small sample size, lack of detailed patient demographics, and potential reporting biases. Furthermore, confounding factors, such as the use of other medications or comorbid conditions, were not analyzed, further limiting the study’s initial findings. Additionally, to validate our study's preliminary findings and understand the potential biological mechanism involved in Ozempic leading to psoriasis, more extensive, controlled studies are required. The studies can help improve patient management strategies and risk assessment for Ozempic treatment.