Real-World Impact of Weekly Dulaglutide and Semaglutide on Hba1c and Weight in a Predominantly Underrepresented Demographic

Abstract: Background. African Americans are underrepresented in real-world studies of GLP-1 receptor agonists (RA) for type 2 diabetes. Objectives. This study evaluates the effects of weekly dulaglutide and semaglutide on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and weight in a predominantly African American population. Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted at an adult medicine clinic. Patients 19 years of age or older with at least 26 weeks of dulaglutide or semaglutide treatment and recorded baseline and follow-up HbA1c and weight were included. Results. Among 91 patients—85.7% African American, 67.0% female, mean age 56.4 years—the mean GLP-1 RA treatment duration was 14.9 months. Glycated hemoglobin decreased by 2.39% (p<.001), and weight dropped by 4.76 kg (p<.001). High-dose dulaglutide significantly lowered HbA1c compared with low-dose (p=.023). Conclusion. Weekly dulaglutide and semaglutide significantly reduced HbA1c and weight. Further research is needed to explore factors influencing differential responses.