Why carry out this study?

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor analogue (GLP-1RA) semaglutide is associated with improved glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and metabolic risk factors in clinical trials; however, the real-world impact of semaglutide in people with type 2 diabetes has not been well studied.

This retrospective observational study investigated changes in HbA1c, body weight and other clinical and biochemical variables associated with semaglutide use.

What was learned from the study?

Semaglutide use was associated with significant reductions in body weight and HbA1c over 6–12 months. There were also significant reductions in total cholesterol and alanine transaminase at 12 months.

Patients naïve to GLP-1RAs or with higher baseline HbA1c had greater HbA1c reductions. However, clinically significant HbA1c reductions were also observed in those who switched from other GLP-1RAs, had body mass index of < 35.0  and > 35.0 kg m2 or had lower baseline HbA1c.