Real-world weight-loss effectiveness of glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists among patients with type 2 diabetes: A retrospective cohort study

Obesity (Silver Spring). 2023 Feb;31(2):537-544. doi: 10.1002/oby.23622. Epub 2023 Jan 9.

Abstract

Objective: Weight loss achieved with standard doses of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists among real-world patients with type 2 diabetes has not been determined. This study sought to describe the percent change in body weight 72 weeks after starting a GLP-1 agonist.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of nonpregnant adults who were first dispensed a GLP-1 agonist between 2011 and 2018 was conducted using electronic health record data from patients receiving care at a large health system. Linear mixed models were used, with a person-level random intercept controlling for baseline variables associated with missing weight data to estimate percent body weight change during follow-up.

Results: The cohort included 2405 patients (mean [SD] age 48 [10] years, 53% female), with a mean BMI of 37 (8) kg/m2 and a mean baseline weight of 238 (54) lb. Mean percent weight loss significantly increased from 1.1% (95% CI: 0.6%-1.6%) 8 weeks after GLP-1-agonist dispensing to 2.2% (95% CI: 1.7%-2.6%) 72 weeks after GLP-1-agonist dispensing (p value for quadratic trend < 0.001). One-third of patients lost ≥5% body weight at 72 weeks.

Conclusions: In this real-world study of more than 2400 patients with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes, starting a GLP-1 agonist at standard glycemic control doses was associated with modest weight loss through 72 weeks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Weight
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Weight Loss

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor