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Observational Study
. 2024 Mar 15;38(4):531-535.
doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000003791. Epub 2023 Nov 16.

Weight loss associated with semaglutide treatment among people with HIV

Lara Haidar  1 , Heidi M Crane  2 , Robin M Nance  2 , Allison Webel  2 , Stephanie A Ruderman  2 , Bridget M Whitney  2 , Amanda L Willig  3 , Sonia Napravnik  4 , L Sarah Mixson  2 , Christine Leong  1 , Alekhya Lavu  1 , Laila Aboulatta  1 , Mindy Dai  2 , Andrew Hahn  2 , Michael S Saag  3 , Laura Bamford  5 , Edward Cachay  5 , Mari M Kitahata  2 , Kenneth H Mayer  6 , Jeffrey Jacobson  7 , Richard D Moore  8 , Joseph A C Delaney  1   2 , Lydia N Drumright  2 , Sherif Eltonsy  1
Affiliations
Observational Study

Weight loss associated with semaglutide treatment among people with HIV

Lara Haidar et al. AIDS. .

Abstract

Objective: There is limited real-world evidence about the effectiveness of semaglutide for weight loss among people with HIV (PWH). We aimed to investigate weight change in a US cohort of PWH who initiated semaglutide treatment.

Design: Observational study using the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) cohort.

Methods: We identified adult PWH who initiated semaglutide between 2018 and 2022 and with at least two weight measurements. The primary outcome was within-person bodyweight change in kilograms at 1 year. The secondary outcome was within-person Hemoglobin A1c percentage (HbA1c) change. Both outcomes were estimated using multivariable linear mixed model.

Results: In total, 222 new users of semaglutide met inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up was 1.1 years. Approximately 75% of new semaglutide users were men, and at baseline, mean age was 53 years [standard deviation (SD): 10], average weight was 108 kg (SD: 23), mean BMI was 35.5 kg/m 2 , mean HbA1c was 7.7% and 77% had clinically recognized diabetes. At baseline, 97% were on ART and 89% were virally suppressed (viral load < 50 copies/ml). In the adjusted mixed model analysis, treatment with semaglutide was associated with an average weight loss of 6.47 kg at 1 year (95% CI -7.67 to -5.18) and with a reduction in HbA1c of 1.07% at 1 year (95% CI -1.64 to -0.50) among the 157 PWH with a postindex HbA1c value.

Conclusion: Semaglutide was associated with significant weight loss and HbA1c reduction among PWH, comparable to results of previous studies from the general population.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest disclosure: Amanda Willig is doing consulting work with Weight Watchers International specifically related to semaglutide and tirzepatide. No work occurred during the analysis of writing of the manuscript but will have occurred by the time of publication. None of the other authors have any coflict of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Adjusted bodyweight change (and 95% CI) over time among people with HIV who are new users of semaglutide
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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