PMID-37735340 – Semaglutide Real-World Weight Loss Data
Alabduljabbar K, Al-Najim W, le Roux CW. Real-world effectiveness of subcutaneous semaglutide for the treatment of obesity: a retrospective cohort study. Endocrine, 2024;83(1):222-229.
Quick Reference
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| PMID | 37735340 |
| DOI | 10.1007/s12020-023-03534-0 |
| Year | 2024 |
| Journal | Endocrine |
| Study Type | Observational |
| Evidence Level | III |
| Sample | n=350 adults with obesity in routine clinical care |
| Peptide(s) Studied | Semaglutide |
Key Findings
- Mean weight loss in real-world clinical practice was comparable to STEP RCT results, confirming external validity of trial findings
- Patients achieved clinically meaningful weight reduction with subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg in routine care settings without the strict protocol adherence required in RCTs
- GI side effect profile (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) was consistent with that reported in phase 3 trials
- Treatment adherence and persistence rates in real-world practice were adequate to achieve meaningful outcomes
- Subgroup analyses suggested consistent effectiveness across different BMI categories and comorbidity profiles
Study Design
Retrospective cohort study of adults with obesity (BMI >=30 kg/m2) treated with subcutaneous semaglutide in routine clinical practice. Patient records were analyzed for weight change, adverse events, treatment persistence, and metabolic outcomes. No comparator group; outcomes were contextualized against published STEP trial results.
Limitations
- Retrospective design with inherent selection bias (patients who remained on treatment may be overrepresented)
- No placebo or active comparator control group
- Variable follow-up durations across participants
- Single-center or limited-center study; may not represent all practice settings
- Missing data inherent to retrospective chart review
- Smaller sample size than pivotal RCTs
Clinical Relevance
This real-world study bridges the gap between controlled trial efficacy and clinical effectiveness, confirming that the weight loss benefits of semaglutide observed in the STEP program translate to routine clinical practice. This is important for clinicians and patients who may question whether RCT results are achievable outside of research settings with their structured support and monitoring.
Related
#research #observational #semaglutide #evidence-level-III