Effectiveness of semaglutide versus liraglutide for treating post‐metabolic and bariatric surgery weight recurrence

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of semaglutide versus liraglutide for treating post‐metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) weight recurrence. Methods A retrospective analysis of 207 adults with post‐MBS weight recurrence treated with semaglutide 1.0 mg weekly (n = 115) or liraglutide 3.0 mg daily (n = 92) at an academic center from January 1, 2015, through April 1, 2021, was conducted. The primary end point was percentage body weight change at 12 months of treatment with regimens containing semaglutide or liraglutide. Results The mean sample age was 55.2 years; mean BMI was 40.4 kg/m2; 89.9% were female; and 50% completed sleeve gastrectomy, 29% completed Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass, and 21% completed adjustable gastric banding. Least‐squares mean weight change at 12 months was −12.92% versus −8.77% in the semaglutide and liraglutide groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The adjusted odds ratios were 2.34 (95% CI: 1.28‐4.29) for ≥10% weight loss and 2.55 (95% CI: 1.22‐5.36) for ≥15% weight loss over 12 months in the semaglutide group versus liraglutide group, respectively. Weight‐loss efficacy of semaglutide (vs. liraglutide) did not differ by subgroups explored, including age, sex, and MBS procedure. Conclusions These results show that treatment regimens including semaglutide 1.0 mg weekly lead to superior weight loss compared with liraglutide 3.0 mg daily for treating post‐MBS weight recurrence, regardless of procedure type or the magnitude of weight recurrence.

Post metabolic bariatric surgery weight regain: the importance of GLP-1 levels

“…Similar results were reported in a recent retrospective study on post-MBS patients who were prescribed semaglutide or liraglutide after 8 years [47]. Significant weight loss was achieved 12 months after the initiation of pharmacotherapy and the weight loss was higher in the semaglutide group than in the liraglutide group [47].…”

Adverse Event Comparison between Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Other Anti-Obesity Medications Following Bariatric Surgery

“…16,19 Two observational studies by Bonnett and Murvelashvili each reported that among patients with prior bariatric surgery, semaglutide can achieve 9 – 13% weight loss with a year of treatment. 20,21 In order to realize the potential of adjuvant AOM, rigorous studies are needed to develop practice guidelines that direct the use of AOMs as adjuvant therapy. This includes clearly defining suboptimal response to bariatric surgery and obesity disease recurrence.…”

Stronger control of eating 3 months after sleeve gastrectomy predicts successful weight loss outcomes at one year

“…Reoperation can be beneficial for some patients but may carry increased perioperative risk compared to primary surgery [ 95 , 96 ]. Anti-obesity medications (AOMs) may also be effective therapeutically for weight recurrence and suboptimal postsurgical weight loss [ 31 , [97] , [98] , [99] ]. Moreover, adjunctive use of AOMs may halt the trajectory of post-bariatric weight recurrence [ 100 ], with potential implications for the prevention of this particular complication.…”