The association between previous use of anti-obesity medication and semaglutide weight loss outcomes

Aims: To compare weight loss outcomes between patients starting semaglutide who had previously been on another anti-obesity medication (AOM) compared to those who were AOM-naive. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study in patients with overweight or obesity taking semaglutide for weight loss for a duration of 3 to 12 months. Our primary endpoint was assessment of percentage of total body weight loss (TBWL) in patients who started semaglutide as their first AOM (AOM-naive) compared to those who started semaglutide and had previously taken another AOM (non-AOM-naive). The secondary outcome was a comparison of the proportions of patients achieving >= 5%, >= 10%,>= 15% and >= 20% TBWL between the groups. Our endpoints were analysed using independent t-tests and ANOVA/ANCOVA for continuous variables and Pearson's test for categorical variables. Results: This study included 305 patients. Outcomes of semaglutide treatment were superior in AOM-naive patients (n = 231) compared to non-AOM-naive patients (n = 74) at 3 (6.3% vs. 3.8%), 6 (10.6% vs. 6.7%), 9 (14.0% vs. 9.1%) and 12 months (14.3% vs. 10.6%; p < 0.0001 at 3, 6 and 9 months, and p = 0.01 at 12 months). A greater proportion of patients in the AOM-naive group achieved a TBWL >= 15% (48% vs 21%; p = 0.02) and >= 20% (27% vs 4% p < 0.01) at 12 months. Conclusion: The use of semaglutide in patients with previous intake of other AOMs was associated with inferior weight loss outcomes in comparison to patients who were AOM-naive.