“Game-Changing” Treatment for Obesity!

If ever a health headline gets your attention, it’s one that proclaims there’s a better way to lose weight. “A game changer” said one of the principle authors of the study in a news release about the study. The results of any study that suggests “game-changing results” just has to be reviewed, and that’s what I’ll do in this week’s Memos.

The study was a trial of 1,961 subjects conducted at 129 sites around the world. The subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group and placebo group in a 2:1 ratio. The experimental group received once-weekly injections of semaglutide, currently approved as a diabetes treatment, while the controls were injected with a placebo. Both groups received individual counseling sessions every four weeks to help them adhere to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. The study was 68 weeks long.

After 68 weeks, the mean change in body weight from baseline to week 68 was 14.9% or 34 pounds in the semaglutide group as compared with 2.4% in the placebo or about six pounds. Anthropometric measures, BMI, and cardiovascular and metabolic measures were better in the semaglutide group compared to the controls.

The results of the trial have already caused the manufacturer to apply for a rapid approval review as a weight loss drug. The question is this: is it really a game changer in the treatment for obesity? I’ll talk about that on Saturday.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

Reference: NEJM. 2021. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032183