Efficacy and Safety of Dulaglutide for Weight Reduction Among Diabetic Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background and objective Obesity commonly affects individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and can lead to serious health complications. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are being explored for their potential role in promoting weight loss and improving glycemic control. However, data on its effectiveness in real-world settings, particularly in Saudi Arabia, remains limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dulaglutide in weight reduction and glycemic control among diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Riyadh. A total of 132 adult patients who were diagnosed with T2DM and received dulaglutide (1.5 mg/week) between January 1, 2019, and December 1, 2021, were included. Changes in body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were assessed at baseline, six months, and 12 months. Safety outcomes, including side effects like hypoglycemic events, were recorded. Paired t-tests and descriptive statistics were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) for Windows. Results A significant reduction in BMI was observed at six months (mean decrease from 36.96±6.51 to 36.23±6.78 kg/m², p=0.023), while changes at 12 months were not statistically significant (p=0.178). HbA1c levels decreased significantly over 12 months (from 9.69±1.78% to 8.31±1.62%, p=0.001), (statistical significance was defined as a p<0.05). A total of 24.2% of the patients had hypoglycemia, predominantly among insulin users; adverse effects were reported by 10.6% of patients, such as constipation, nausea, and diarrhea. Conclusion Dulaglutide demonstrated efficacy in weight reduction and significant long-term improvement in glycemic control among Saudi Arabian patients with T2DM. It was well tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse effects. These findings support the role of dulaglutide as a therapeutic option for weight and glucose management in diabetic populations.