SURMOUNT-2 trial results show bodyweight reductions with tirzepatide that rival those seen with other approved anti-obesity medications in people with type 2 diabetes.

This was despite LADA being associated with fewer metabolic risk factors than type 2 diabetes, in terms of blood pressure, lipid profiles, obesity, and insulin resistance, say Yuxia Wei (Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden) and colleagues.

A randomized trial demonstrates significant reductions in visceral adipose tissue in people with obesity but without diabetes taking the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide.

Lead author of the STEP 1 trial, John Wilding, discusses the findings and what they may mean for the treatment of people with obesity (5:42)

The STEP 5 participants had overweight or obesity, but not diabetes, with at least one weight-related comorbidity, and were predominantly White (93%) women (74–81%).

Read our overview of the SURPASS trials of the dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist tirzepatide in people with type 2 diabetes, plus the SURMOUNT trials in people with obesity.

The trial is published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism .

The trial was published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism .

A weekly injection of tirzepatide results in a substantial bodyweight reduction over and above that achieved with lifestyle intervention in people with obesity, show the SURMOUNT-1 findings.

The study included 6256 patients (52.8% women) with type 2 diabetes or obesity who were admitted to US hospitals with COVID-19.

Individuals currently using non-insulin glucose-lowering medications also had a significantly lower risk for severe hypoglycemia relative to people not taking these drugs, at an OR of 0.81.

The researchers explain that although liraglutide 1.8 mg is approved for use in combination with insulin for diabetes treatment, the higher dose of 3.0 mg, which is an approved anti-obesity drug, has not previously been studied in this setting.

The trials are all sponsored by the drug-maker, Novo Nordisk.

The addition of liraglutide rather than extra oral antidiabetic drugs may offer more sustained glycemic control for people with type 2 diabetes who have inadequate control with metformin, suggest findings of the international LIRA-PRIME study.