The Impact of Injectable Semaglutide and Liraglutide on Long-term Weight Loss in Patients with Obesity
Recent research conducted by the Cleveland Clinic has shed light on the key factors that can influence the long-term weight loss of patients with obesity who were prescribed injectable semaglutide or liraglutide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes or obesity. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, provides valuable insights into the efficacy of these medications in promoting weight loss.
“In patients with obesity who were prescribed semaglutide or liraglutide, we found that long-term weight reduction varied significantly based on the medication’s active agent, treatment indication, dosage, and persistence with the medication,” said lead author Dr. Hamlet Gasoyan, a researcher at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Value-Based Care Research.
Semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy and Ozempic, and liraglutide, sold under the brand names Saxenda and Victoza, are GLP-1 RA medications that have been proven to lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. These medications play a crucial role in the treatment of obesity, a complex chronic disease that affects a significant portion of the U.S. adult population.
While clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of anti-obesity medications, there is limited real-world data available on the factors associated with long-term weight change and achieving clinically significant weight loss. This study aimed to fill that gap by identifying key factors that contribute to long-term weight loss in patients with obesity.
The retrospective cohort study included 3,389 adult patients with obesity who initiated treatment with injectable semaglutide or liraglutide between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2022, with follow-up ending in July 2023. The study participants had a median baseline body mass index of 38.5, with the majority having type 2 diabetes as the treatment indication.
Results from the study revealed that one year after the initial prescription fill, weight change was significantly influenced by the patient’s persistence with the medication. Patients who were persistent with the medication at one year experienced greater weight loss compared to those with lower medication coverage days.
Furthermore, the study found that patients who persisted with their medication at 12 months saw significant reductions in body weight. Those prescribed semaglutide for obesity had higher average weight reduction compared to those receiving semaglutide for type 2 diabetes, and a similar trend was observed for liraglutide users.
Achieving sustained weight loss of 10% or more is associated with significant health benefits. The study found that a notable proportion of patients receiving semaglutide for obesity achieved 10% or more body weight reduction compared to those receiving semaglutide for type 2 diabetes. Similar results were observed in patients prescribed liraglutide for obesity compared to those with type 2 diabetes.
Factors associated with higher odds of achieving 10% or more weight reduction included persistence with the medication and relevant socio-demographic and clinical variables. Dr. Gasoyan emphasized the importance of these findings in managing patient and provider expectations regarding weight reduction with GLP-1 RA medications.
Future research will continue to explore patients’ persistence and health outcomes with GLP-1 RA medications, building on the valuable insights gained from this study. Dr. Gasoyan’s work in this field is supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute.
This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of injectable semaglutide and liraglutide in the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, highlighting the importance of medication persistence and personalized treatment approaches in achieving meaningful and sustained weight loss.
