Real-world weight loss with injectable semaglutide vs dulaglutide for diabetes

To compare the real-world effects of weekly injectable semaglutide (Ozempic) vs dulaglutide (Trulicity) on weight loss in an urban, predominantly African American patient sample with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

This retrospective cohort study included adult patients with T2D at an academic internal medicine clinic who were initiated on semaglutide or dulaglutide.

The primary outcome was the percentage change in actual body weight (ABW) from baseline at 52 weeks. Secondary outcomes included mean weight loss in kg, weight loss of at least 5% and at least 10% at 52 weeks, percentage change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at 52 weeks, and HbA1c levels of less than 7% and less than 8% at 52 weeks.

The percentage change in ABW from baseline at 52 weeks was greater with semaglutide (n = 60) than with dulaglutide (n = 60) (-6.51% vs -1.14%; P = .001). The absolute change in ABW at 52 weeks was greater with semaglutide than with dulaglutide (-15.98 kg vs -4.93 kg; P = .001). More patients using semaglutide achieved weight loss of at least 5% and at least 10% at 52 weeks than those using dulaglutide (≥ 5%: 51.7% vs 25.0%; P = .003; ≥ 10%: 31.7% vs 8.3%; P = .001). A higher percentage of patients using semaglutide than those using dulaglutide achieved an HbA1c less than 7% and less than 8% at 52 weeks (< 7%: 53.3% vs 38.3%; P = .100; < 8%: 78.3% vs 68.3%; P = .220). The absolute change in HbA1c was greater with semaglutide than dulaglutide (-2.15% vs -1.36%; P = .033).

Treatment with semaglutide resulted in a greater reduction in body weight and HbA1c than with dulaglutide in a real-world study of patients with T2D.