GLP-1 RAs May Ease Psoriasis, PsA Data Limited

Published evidence linked liraglutide and semaglutide to improvements in psoriasis severity, inflammatory markers, and metabolic outcomes, while evidence in psoriatic arthritis remained sparse.

By
Andrea Surnit
June 27, 2026
4 min

MDSpire News

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Approach:

Review Methodology: A narrative review synthesizing preclinical, clinical, and mechanistic studies on GLP-1 RAs in psoriasis and PsA.

Key Findings:

GLP-1 RAs, particularly liraglutide and semaglutide, were associated with improvements in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores.
Reductions in inflammatory markers and improvements in metabolic measures were observed.
Histologic improvements in skin lesions and reductions in cytokines such as IL-17, IL-23, and TNF-alpha were reported in some studies.
Evidence for GLP-1 RAs in PsA was limited, with only two open-label trials identified.
Some benefits of GLP-1 RAs may extend beyond weight loss, indicating potential direct immunomodulatory effects.

Interpretation:

The findings indicate potential benefits of GLP-1 RAs in managing psoriasis, but evidence for PsA is limited.

Limitations:

The review was narrative rather than systematic, which may affect the strength of conclusions.
Most studies were small, observational, open-label, or case-based.
Short follow-up periods and participant characteristics (obesity/type 2 diabetes) may limit generalizability.
Distinguishing metabolic effects from direct immunomodulatory effects is challenging.