Real-world impact of once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide after 2 years of follow-up: Results from a nationwide observational study in people with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the impact of treatment with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), for up to 2 years in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) managed in routine clinical practice. Materials and methods: The study was based on data from national registries. People who redeemed at least one prescription of semaglutide and had 2 years of follow-up were included. Data were collected at baseline and after 180, 360, 540 and 720 days of treatment (all timepoints ± 90 days). Results: In total, 9284 people redeemed at least one semaglutide prescription (intention-to-treat) and 4132 people redeemed semaglutide continuously (on-treatment). For the on-treatment cohort, the median (interquartile range) age was 62.0 (16.0) years, diabetes duration was 10.8 (8.7) years, and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level was 62.0 (18.0) mmol/mol at baseline. A subset of the on-treatment cohort, comprising 2676 people, had HbA1c measurements at baseline and at least once during 720 days. The mean (95% confidence interval) changes in HbA1c after 720 days were –12.6 (–13.6; –11.6) mmol/mol (P < 0.001) for GLP-1RA-naïve people, and –5.6 (–6.2; –5.0) mmol/mol (P < 0.001) for GLP-1RA-experienced people. Similarly, 55% of GLP-1RA-naïve people and 43% of GLP-1RA-experienced people reached a HbA1c target of ≤53 mmol/mol after 2 years. Conclusions: People treated with semaglutide in routine clinical practice experienced clinically relevant and sustained improvements in glycaemic control after 180, 360, 540 and 720 days, irrespective of former GLP-1RA exposure, effects which were comparable with those observed in clinical studies. These results support the use of semaglutide in routine clinical practice for the long-term management of T2D.