Study compares weight loss with semaglutide versus liraglutide after one year

In clinical practice, only limited data are available on long-term weight loss achieved with semaglutide or liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes or obesity. To further examine this issue, U.S. researchers aimed to document weight loss achieved with semaglutide or liraglutide subcutaneous injection and identify factors associated with weight reduction of 10% or more at one year.The retrospective cohort study used electronic health records from a large, integrated health system in Ohio and Florida. Participants included adults with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 who initiated treatment with semaglutide or liraglutide for type 2 diabetes or obesity over a seven-year period. The main outcomes were the percentage weight change and weight reduction of ≥ 10% at one year.Results showed the following:The study included 3,389 patients (mean age, 50.4 years; 54.7% female). Of the 3,389 patients, 1,341 received semaglutide for type 2 diabetes; 1,444 received liraglutide for type 2 diabetes; 227 received liraglutide for obesity; and 377 received semaglutide for obesity. The mean percentage weight change at one year was −5.1% with semaglutide vs −2.2% with liraglutide (p < 0.001).The mean percentage weight change at one year was −3.2% for patients with type 2 diabetes vs −5.9% for patients with obesity (p < 0.001).The mean percentage weight change at one year was −5.5% in patients with persistent medication coverage (i.e., a cumulative gap of < 90 days) vs −2.8% with 90–275 medication coverage days and −1.8% with fewer than 90 medication coverage days (p < 0.001). Overall, 141 patients (37.4%) receiving semaglutide for obesity achieved ≥ 10% body weight reduction vs 223 (16.6%) of those receiving semaglutide for type 2 diabetes. This compared to 33 (14.5%) of those receiving liraglutide for obesity, and 134 (9.3%) of those receiving liraglutide for type 2 diabetes.High dosage of the medication vs low dosage (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.58 [95% CI, 1.11–2.25]) and female sex (AOR, 1.57 [95% CI, 1.27–1.94]) were associated with achieving a 10% or greater weight reduction at one year. The authors conclude that in this retrospective cohort study of 3,389 patients with obesity, weight reduction at one year differed based on the medication, dosage, treatmentindication, persistent medication coverage and patient sex. The authors suggest that high out-of-pocket costs, insurance coverage-related issues, medication supply shortages, adverse effects, and weight reduction not meeting the patient’s expectations could be the reasons for nonpersistent use of these medications They suggest that future research should focus on identifying the reasons for discontinuation of medication use, as well as interventions aimed at improving long-term persistent use.Reference1. Gasoyan H, Pfoh ER, Schulte R, et al. One-year weight reduction with semaglutide or liraglutide in clinical practice. JAMA Netw Open 2024;7(9):e2433326. (accessed September 17, 2024).

Study compares weight loss with semaglutide versus liraglutide after one year

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