With Everything Worth Fighting For, Persistence is Key!

A new Cleveland Clinic study has revealed key factors that influence long-term weight loss in people using GLP-1 receptor agonist (RA) medications like semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza). These drugs are commonly prescribed for weight loss and managing type 2 diabetes, but there’s been little data on how effective they are over the long term in real-life scenarios.

The study tracked 3,389 patients from 2015 to 2022 and found that the amount of weight lost depended on factors like the specific drug used, the dosage, how long the patients stayed on the medication, and whether it was prescribed for obesity or diabetes. Semaglutide was more effective, with an average weight loss of 5.1%, compared to 2.2% with liraglutide. Higher doses led to greater weight loss, and patients who continued the treatment for at least a year saw better results. Those taking semaglutide for obesity had the most significant weight reduction, while patients using it for diabetes had less dramatic results.

One of the study’s important findings was that hitting a 10% weight loss target is a major health milestone. More patients on semaglutide for obesity reached this goal compared to those with diabetes. Persistence with the treatment, higher doses, and starting with a higher body mass index (BMI) all increased the likelihood of significant weight loss. Women were also more likely than men to achieve greater weight loss.

These insights are valuable for both patients and healthcare providers, highlighting the importance of sticking to the treatment for better results. Researchers plan to continue exploring how persistence with GLP-1 medications affects long-term health outcomes.