A recent study published in the “Journal of the Endocrine Society” highlights the impressive weight reduction results of Tirzepatide, a novel dual gastric inhibitory polypeptide/glucagon-like peptide-1 (GIP/GLP-1) receptor agonist approved for treating type 2 diabetes (T2D). The study, conducted as a retrospective cohort analysis by Sima Fansa et al., focused on assessing the real-world effectiveness and safety of Tirzepatide in 175 patients taking weekly subcutaneous Tirzepatide for T2D or off-label for weight loss.

The researchers excluded individuals taking Tirzepatide for less than one month, those with a history of bariatric procedures, the use of anti-obesity prescriptions, or individuals with active malignancies or pregnancy. The total body weight loss percentage (TBWL%) at three months was considered as the main outcome, while secondary outcomes included TBWL% at one and two months; TBWL% difference by T2D status and by gender; percentage of patients achieving more than equal to 5%, 10% and 15% of TBWL% at 3 months; predictors of TBWL% at 3 months; and adverse-effects.

Researchers employed a paired t-test to assess TBWL% in relation to the baseline, utilized a non-paired t-test to compare TBWL% based on T2D status and gender, and conducted univariate analyses to gauge the impact of other variables on TBWL%. The findings were presented as the mean ± standard deviation. A total of 59 patients, accounting for 34% of the cohort, had T2D. The majority of patients were prescribed either 5 mg (39%) or 7.5 mg (22%) of Tirzepatide on a weekly basis.

The TBWL% at 1, 2, and 3 months stood at 3.6±2.5% (involving 87 patients), 5.8±3.5% (involving 100 patients), and 8.4±4.3% (involving 60 patients), respectively (with a p-value of <0.0001 compared to the baseline at all three timepoints). At the 3-month mark, patients with T2D experienced a lower weight loss compared to patients without T2D: 6.9±4.0% vs 9.1±4.4% (with a p-value of 0.03).

Also, females experienced greater weight loss than males after 3 months  (9.2±4.3% vs. 5.0±2.5%). The researchers observed that greater baseline weight was associated with more significant TBWL%, indicating the drug's effectiveness in aiding individuals with higher initial body weights. After 3 months, weight measurements were available for 60 patients. Among them, 81.6% achieved a TBWL of 5% or more, while 30% achieved a TBWL of 10% or more, and 10% achieved a TBWL of 15% or more.

Side effects were reported by 23% of the participants (the most common being nausea/vomiting, constipation, and pain in the abdomen). A small portion of patients had to adjust their dosage or discontinue the drug because of side effects. Extended follow-up durations and higher doses of Tirzepatide are required to establish the long-term effectiveness of this drug in treating obesity and T2D simultaneously, concluded the study researchers.