A retrospective case-control study to assess the correlation of weight loss and GLP-1 analogs in patients with TYPE 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background: Obesity, defined as a BMI of 30 kg/m² or above, has become a key driver of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a condition linked to considerable morbidity, mortality, and healthcare resource utilization. While pharmacological management of T2DM continues to evolve, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs have gained attention for their dual metabolic benefit of glycaemic control and weight reduction. This study examined the extent to which GLP-1 analog therapy influences weight outcomes among adults with T2DM.Methods: A retrospective cohort design was used to evaluate obese adults with T2DM treated at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, between July 2017 and February 2018. Patients were stratified into GLP-1 analog cohort and non-GLP-1 cohort, and changes in weight and HbA1c from baseline to 6 months were analyzed using paired t-tests within groups and independent samples t-tests between groups.Results: Diagnostic and treatment records were available for 376 patients, evenly split into a GLP-1 analog cohort (n=188) and a comparator cohort (n=188), with a mean participant age of 58.4 years. Across the entire study population, Hba1c declined modestly by approximately 0.3 percentage points (7.9 ± 0.8% to 7.6 ± 0.7%). in the GLP-1 analog cohort, Hba1c reduction was substantially greater, averaging about 1.3 percentage points, indicating a stronger glycemic response among exposed patients.Conclusion: The magnitude of metabolic improvement with GLP-1 analog therapy appeared proportional to baseline disease severity, with patients presenting higher initial BMI, glucose, and HbA1c values showing the greatest gains. As HDL and LDL changes were not statistically significant, this conclusion should be limited to glycaemic profile (HbA1c) and BMI as predictors.KeywordsGLP-1 analogs, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Body mass index, HbA1c, Weight reduction