Abstract

EVALUATION OF CLINICAL OUTCOMES AND TOLERABILITY OF ORAL SEMAGLUTIDE IN OBESE PATIENTS: OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

*Dr. K. Jithender, Panakanti Sharvani, Suragalla Vaishali, Polaboena Unnathi, Dr. Naveen Kumar Pothireddy and Dr. M. Shiva Rama Krishna

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Abstract

Background: Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are growing global health issues with overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms. Weight loss improves insulin sensitivity, helping to prevent or delay T2DM. According to WHO, obesity accounts for 44% of diabetes cases, with 300 million obesity-related diabetes cases expected by 2025. Oral semaglutide, the first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist approved in 2019, has shown promising results in weight and glycemic control but requires further evaluation in dual obese populations, particularly in India. Methodology: A 6-month prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital, involving 25 obese patients, both diabetic and non-diabetic. Participants were administered oral semaglutide at doses of 3 mg, 7 mg, or 14 mg based on clinical discretion. Anthropometric parameters (weight, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio), blood pressure, and biochemical markers (HbA1c, FBS, PPBS], and LDL cholesterol) were recorded. The effectiveness of semaglutide was assessed between diabetic and non-diabetic groups, and comparisons were made across the different dosage levels. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS Version 22. Results and Discussion: Participants were mostly middle-aged males (mean age 41.72) with 7mg being the most prescribed dose among all the subjects. All parameters showed statistically significant reductions across both groups, with the 14 mg dose producing the greatest improvements. However, inter dose differences were not statistically significant. Nausea (64%) was the most common side effect, but overall tolerability was good. Conclusion: Oral semaglutide is effective and well tolerated for managing obesity and its comorbidities, offering metabolic and cardiovascular benefits in both diabetic and non diabetic populations with a favorable safety profile.

Keywords: Oral semaglutide, Obesity, T2DM, LDL, WHR, dual obese population, WHR.