Higher discontinuation rates and lower reinitiation rates seen for those without type 2 diabetes
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, Jan. 14, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Many patients with overweight or obesity discontinue glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist therapy within one year, with higher discontinuation rates seen for those without type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online Jan. 31 in JAMA Network Open.
Patricia J. Rodriguez, Ph.D., M.P.H., from Truveta Inc. in Bellevue, Washington, and colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 125,474 adults with overweight or obesity who newly initiated treatment with a dual-labeled GLP-1 receptor agonist (liraglutide, semaglutide, or tirzepatide) between Jan. 1, 2018, and Dec. 31, 2023. Patients were followed for up to two years to assess discontinuation and for two additional years to examine reinitiation.
The researchers found that compared with those with type 2 diabetes, patients without type 2 diabetes had a significantly higher one-year discontinuation rate (64.8 versus 46.5 percent). Significant associations were seen for higher weight loss and higher income with lower rates of discontinuation; a higher risk for discontinuation was seen in association with moderate or severe incident gastrointestinal adverse events (hazard ratios, 1.38 and 1.19 for those with and without type 2 diabetes, respectively). Of 41,792 patients who discontinued and had a discontinuation weight measurement available, one-year reinitiation was lower for those without versus with type 2 diabetes (36.3 versus 47.3 percent). Increased hazards of reinitiation were seen in association with weight regain of 1 percent from discontinuation (2.3 and 2.8 percent for those with and without type 2 diabetes, respectively).
“Greater weight loss and higher income (type 2 diabetes only) were associated with lower discontinuation, while weight regain since discontinuation was associated with higher reinitiation,” the authors write.
Several authors disclosed ties to the health care industry.
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