Real-World Sex Differences in Response to Treatment with Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists: Analysis of Single-Center Outpatient Case Series
<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a global health burden with increasing prevalence, necessitating effective management strategies. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have emerged as beneficial therapies, promoting both glycemic control and weight loss, yet real-world data on sex differences in response are limited. This study aimed to investigate sex-based differences in glycemic and weight outcomes, as well as adverse effects, in T2D patients treated with GLP-1 RAs at a single diabetes center. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: In this retrospective analysis, 114 patients (58.8% men) with T2D who were initiated on GLP-1 RA therapy between 2015 and 2023 were evaluated. Data on HbA1c, BMI, and adverse events were collected at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment initiation. <i>Results</i>: Our findings indicated a statistically significant HbA1c reduction (from 8.6% at GLP-1 RA initiation to 6.9% at 12 months in men (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and from 8.4% at initiation to 7.0% at 12 months after GLP-1 RA initiation (<i>p</i> < 0.001) in women). By 12 months, a significantly greater proportion of women compared to men achieved ≥ 5% (51.1% vs. 28.4%, <i>p</i> = 0.019) and ≥10% weight loss (29.8% vs. 9.0%, <i>p</i> = 0.006), with both differences reaching statistical significance. A statistically significant difference in weight loss in mean weight change and percent weight change in men vs. women was observed from month 6 of therapy. <i>Conclusions</i>: These findings underscore the effectiveness of GLP-1 RAs in improving glycemic control and weight loss in a real-world setting and suggest that women may experience greater weight reduction. Understanding these differences could inform personalized treatment strategies for optimized outcomes in T2D management.
Authors
- Adriana Fodor (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1124-6984)
- Georgeta Inceu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1624-6916)
- Gabriela Román (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5981-5672)
- Dana Mihaela Ciobanu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3351-6110)
- Cornelia Bala (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6216-9088)
- Anca-Elena Crăciun
- Adriana Rusu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0977-8874)
- Antonia Berchisan
Institutions
- Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO)
- Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest (RO)
- Spitalul Clinic Județean de Urgență Cluj-Napoca (RO)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Medicina
- Published
- 2025-07-25
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61081343
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Diabetes Treatment and Management
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.59