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Clinical Research

Weight loss and cardiovascular disease risk outcomes of semaglutide: a one-year multicentered study

International Journal of Obesity volume 48, pages 662–667 (2024)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objective

There are limited real-world studies assessing semaglutide weight loss and associated comorbidity and metabolic outcomes over periods ≥ 6 months. We aim to assess weight loss, metabolic, and cardiovascular outcomes of 12 months of semaglutide.

Subject/Methods

We conducted a multicentered retrospective cohort study on semaglutide use. We included patients with a body-mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/m2 who were prescribed weekly semaglutide subcutaneous injections. We excluded patients with bariatric surgeries, taking other anti-obesity medications, and with active malignancy or pregnancy. A total of 1023 patients had semaglutide prescription for obesity.

Intervention/Methods

We assessed weight loss outcomes of subcutaneous semaglutide for 12 months. The primary endpoint was total body weight loss percentage (TBWL%) at 12 months. Secondary endpoints included proportion of patients achieving ≥5%, ≥10%, ≥15%, and ≥20% weight loss, and improvements in metabolic, cardiovascular, and comorbidities after 12 months of follow-up.

Results

We included 304 patients (73% female, 93% White, mean age 48.8 [12.4] years, BMI 40.9 [9.6] kg/m2) in the analysis. Patients achieved a TBWL of 13.4 (8.0)% at 12 months (p < 0.001 from baseline). Patients without T2DM achieved a TBWL of 16.9 (6.9)% compared to 9.9 (8.4)% in patients without T2DM at 12 months on the higher doses of semaglutide (p < 0.001 from baseline). In this cohort, 81% achieved ≥5%, 64% achieved ≥10%, 41% achieved ≥15%, and 22% achieved ≥20% TBWL at 12 months. Patients with overweight or obesity experienced significant improvements in metabolic, lipid profile, blood pressure, liver function tests, and cardiovascular disease risk outcomes.

Conclusions

Semaglutide demonstrated notable improvement in obesity, metabolic, and cardiovascular disease risk outcomes in a clinical setting.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2: Percentage weight loss.

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Data availability

Deidentified individual participant data can be shared upon request: Data can be sent to journal if needed. No limited timeframe.

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Funding

AA is supported by NIH (K23-DK114460), and is a stockholder in Gila Therapeutics, Phenomix Sciences; he served as a consultant for Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, General Mills, Currax, Nestle, Amgen, Structure and Boehringer Ingelheim.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Precision Medicine for Obesity Program, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Wissam Ghusn, Sima Fansa, Diego Anazco, Elif Tama, Bryan Nicolalde, Khushboo Gala, Alan De la Rosa, Daniel Sacoto, Lizeth Cifuentes, Alejandro Campos, Fauzi Feres, Maria Daniela Hurtado & Andres Acosta

  2. Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA

    Elif Tama & Maria Daniela Hurtado

Authors
  1. Wissam Ghusn
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  2. Sima Fansa
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  3. Diego Anazco
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  4. Elif Tama
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  5. Bryan Nicolalde
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  6. Khushboo Gala
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  7. Alan De la Rosa
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  8. Daniel Sacoto
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  9. Lizeth Cifuentes
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  10. Alejandro Campos
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  11. Fauzi Feres
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  12. Maria Daniela Hurtado
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  13. Andres Acosta
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Contributions

All authors had full access to all the data and statistical analyses. AA had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. WG wrote the first draft of the manuscript. WG, SF, DA, ET, BN, KG, AR, DS, LC, AC, FF, and MH were responsible of reviewing the manuscript. WG performed the analysis. AA and DH supervised the manuscript writing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andres Acosta.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Ghusn, W., Fansa, S., Anazco, D. et al. Weight loss and cardiovascular disease risk outcomes of semaglutide: a one-year multicentered study. Int J Obes 48, 662–667 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-023-01456-5

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