Real-World GLP-1 Use Shows Early Weight and Blood Pressure Benefits

GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of medications increasingly used for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity, known for their efficacy in clinical trials. However, the real-world effectiveness and prescribing patterns of these therapies in diverse populations, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), remain less comprehensively understood. This study aimed to bridge that knowledge gap by observing how these drugs perform in everyday clinical practice.

The study revealed significant positive outcomes in patients receiving GLP-1 therapies. Patients experienced an average body weight reduction of 5.8 kg (6.2% of baseline body weight) at the 6-month mark, a substantial improvement from their initial measurements. > The most impactful finding was a mean reduction of 4.5 mmHg in systolic blood pressure and 2.8 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure at 6 months, both highly statistically significant (p<0.001). Approximately 70% of the cohort achieved clinically meaningful weight loss, defined as a reduction of more than 5% of their initial body weight, within 6 months of starting treatment. Analysis of prescribing patterns showed that semaglutide was the most frequently prescribed GLP-1 agent, accounting for 65% of all prescriptions, followed by liraglutide at 30%.