Semaglutide Improves Weight Loss in Patients With Diabetes

Taking semaglutide once weekly was associated with significant decreases in weight in adults with overweight and obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to the results of a recent study.

The researchers conducted a double-blin, double-dummy, phase 3, superiority study involving 1210 patients with body mass index of least 27 kg/m 2 and glycated hemoglobin 7–10% (53–86 mmol/mol) who had had diabetes for at least 180 days prior to screening. The participants were randomly assigned to receive semaglutide 2.5mg, semaglutide 1.0 mg, or placebo once a week for 68 weeks, plus lifestyle intervention.

Overall, the estimated mean change in bodyweight from baseline was −9.6% with semaglutide 2.4 mg vs −3.4% with placebo and more patients taking semaglutide 2.4 mg achieved weight reduction of at least 5% at week 68 than did those taking placebo (68.8% vs 28.5%, odds ratio 4.88, 95% CI 3.58 to 664; p<0·0001).

“In adults with overweight or obesity, and type 2 diabetes, semaglutide 2·4 mg once a week achieved a superior and clinically meaningful decrease in bodyweight compared with placebo, the researchers concluded.”

These results echo those of another recent study which examined the effects of semaglutide in patients with overweight and obesity and without type 2 diabetes.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Davies M, Faerch L, Jeppesen OK, et al. Semaglutide 2·4 mg once a week in adults with overweight or obesity, and type 2 diabetes (STEP 2): a randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Published online March 2, 2021. Lancet. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00213-0