Abstract
Background: This meta-analysis aimed to combine the data available from clinical trials to assess the effects of subcutaneous and oral semaglutide administration on glycemic control, weight management, and safety outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: We systematically searched for phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared semaglutide with placebo or other anti-diabetic drugs in T2D patients. The primary outcome was the change from baseline in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Secondary efficacy endpoints included the change from baseline in body weight, achievement of HbA1c targets, and clinically significant weight loss. Key safety outcomes were also assessed. Results: In this meta-analysis, 24 trials with a total of 22185 patients were included. Subcutaneous semaglutide administration reduced HbA1c levels (weighted mean difference [WMD]: −1.14% and −1.37%, for 0.5 mg and 1 mg, respectively) and body weight (WMD: −2.73 kg and −4.09 kg, for 0.5 mg and 1 mg, respectively) when compared with placebo; its efficacy was also superior to other anti-diabetic drugs in reducing HbA1c levels (WMD: −0.71% and −0.86%, for 0.5 mg and 1 mg, respectively) and body weight (WMD: −2.65 kg and −3.78 kg, for 0.5 mg and 1 mg, respectively). Oral semaglutide administration was superior to placebo in decreasing HbA1c levels (WMD: −0.96% and −1.02%, for 7 mg and 14 mg, respectively). Moreover, oral administration of 14 mg of semaglutide also showed a significant reduction in HbA1c levels (WMD: −0.36%) compared with other anti-diabetic drugs. Furthermore, oral semaglutide administration resulted in substantial weight loss compared with other anti-diabetic drugs (WMD: −1.53 kg and −1.73 kg, for 7 mg and 14 mg, respectively). Notably, subcutaneous and oral semaglutide administration also resulted in higher numbers of patients achieving the targets of HbA1c levels and weight loss than placebo and other anti-diabetic drugs. Overall, we noted no clear evidence of detrimental effects on safety endpoints due to semaglutide treatment, except for some gastrointestinal adverse events. Conclusion: Both subcutaneous and oral semaglutide administration could enable the achievement of sufficient glycemic control and weight management without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia, which were effective and safe for the treatment of T2D.
Highlights
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major public health issue; its prevalence was estimated to reach a remarkable proportion in 2017, affecting 463 million people worldwide (James. et al, 2018)
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are efficacious pharmacological therapies for type 2 diabetes (T2D), which lead to a reduction in plasma glucose levels and induce weight loss without increasing the associated risk of hypoglycemia (Nauck, 2016)
Oral semaglutide administration significantly reduced HbA1c levels (WMD: −0.96%, 95% confidence intervals (CIs): −1.39 to −0.53; weighted mean differences (WMDs): −1.02%, 95% CI: −1.27 to −0.77, for 7 and 14 mg, respectively) when compared with placebo; oral administration of 14 mg of semaglutide resulted in a greater reduction in HbA1c levels when compared with active comparators (WMD: −0.36%, 95% CI: −0.45 to −0.27)
Summary
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major public health issue; its prevalence was estimated to reach a remarkable proportion in 2017, affecting 463 million people worldwide (James. et al, 2018). Patients with T2D are at high risk of developing a range of complications, including cardiovascular events, chronic kidney disease, diabetic retinopathy, and neuropathy An oral formulation of semaglutide has been approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has expanded the available treatment options for T2D patients (Meier, 2021). This meta-analysis aimed to combine the data available from clinical trials to assess the effects of subcutaneous and oral semaglutide administration on glycemic control, weight management, and safety outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D)
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