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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Sep 1;5(9):e2231982.
doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31982.

Weight Loss Outcomes Associated With Semaglutide Treatment for Patients With Overweight or Obesity

Wissam Ghusn  1 , Alan De la Rosa  1 , Daniel Sacoto  1 , Lizeth Cifuentes  1 , Alejandro Campos  1 , Fauzi Feris  1 , Maria Daniela Hurtado  1   2 , Andres Acosta  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Weight Loss Outcomes Associated With Semaglutide Treatment for Patients With Overweight or Obesity

Wissam Ghusn et al. JAMA Netw Open. .

Abstract

Importance: No retrospective cohort study has assessed the effectiveness of semaglutide at doses used in randomized clinical trials to treat obesity (ie, 1.7 and 2.4 mg).

Objective: To study weight loss outcomes associated with semaglutide treatment at doses used in randomized clinical trials for patients with overweight or obesity.

Design, setting, and participants: This cohort study, conducted at a referral center for weight management, retrospectively collected data on the use of semaglutide for adults with overweight or obesity between January 1, 2021, and March 15, 2022, with a follow-up of up to 6 months. A total of 408 patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or more were prescribed weekly semaglutide subcutaneous injections for 3 months or more. Patients with a history of bariatric procedures, taking other antiobesity medications, and with an active malignant neoplasm were excluded.

Exposures: Weekly 1.7-mg or 2.4-mg semaglutide subcutaneous injections for 3 to 6 months.

Main outcomes and measures: The primary end point was the percentage of weight loss. Secondary end points were the proportion of patients achieving weight loss of 5% or more, 10% or more, 15% or more, and 20% or more after 3 and 6 months and the percentage of weight loss for patients with or without type 2 diabetes after 3 and 6 months.

Results: The study included 175 patients (132 women [75.4%]; mean [SD] age, 49.3 [12.5] years; mean [SD] BMI, 41.3 [9.1]) in the analysis at 3 months and 102 patients at 6 months. The mean (SD) weight loss after 3 months was 6.7 (4.4) kg, equivalent to a mean (SD) weight loss of 5.9% (3.7%) (P < .001), and the mean (SD) weight loss after 6 months was 12.3 (6.6) kg, equivalent to a mean (SD) weight loss of 10.9% (5.8%) (P < .001 from baseline). Of the 102 patients who were followed up at 6 months, 89 (87.3%) achieved weight loss of 5% or more, 56 (54.9%) achieved weight loss of 10% or more, 24 (23.5%) achieved weight loss of 15% or more, and 8 (7.8%) achieved weight loss of 20% or more. Patients with type 2 diabetes had a lower mean (SD) percentage weight loss at 3 and 6 months compared with those without type 2 diabetes: 3.9% (3.1%) vs 6.3% (3.7%) at 3 months (P = .001) and 7.2% (6.3%) vs 11.8% (5.3%) at 6 months (P = .005).

Conclusions and relevance: The results of this cohort study suggest that weekly 1.7-mg and 2.4-mg doses of semaglutide were associated with weight loss similar to that seen in randomized clinical trials. Studies with longer periods of follow-up are needed to evaluate prolonged weight loss outcomes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Acosta reported receiving grants from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases during the conduct of the study; holding stock in Gila Therapeutics and Phenomix Sciences; and serving as a consultant for Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, General Mills, and Amgen Pharmaceuticals outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Flowchart of the Study
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Percentage Weight Loss and Categorical Percentage Weight Loss at 3 and 6 Months
Whiskers in panel A indicate SD.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.. Percentage Weight Change at 3 and 6 Months for Patients With and Without Type 2 Diabetes
Whiskers indicate SE.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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