Semaglutide, reduction in glycated haemoglobin and the risk of diabetic retinopathy.

Vilsbøll T, Bain SC, Leiter LA, Lingvay I, Matthews D, Simó R, Helmark IC, Wijayasinghe N, Larsen M

Diabetes, obesity & metabolism8 Jan 2018Cited by 224 (Europe PMC)

PMID29178519PMCIDPMC5888154DOI10.1111/dom.13172PepBankPUB-29178519

Read at source PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: CC BY-NC. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study2

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialMechanism
In SUSTAIN 6, most of the semaglutide effect on diabetic retinopathy complications versus placebo may be attributed to the size and speed of early HbA1c reduction, in patients with pre-existing retinopathy, poor control and insulin treatment.
In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, extra eye complications with semaglutide seemed linked to fast, large HbA1c drops in people with eye disease on insulin.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseDiabetic retinopathy complications in SUSTAIN 6, mediated by HbA1c reduction
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Exploratory
Outcome group
Vision and retina · Eye
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
The majority of the effect with semaglutide vs placebo in SUSTAIN 6 may be attributed to the magnitude and rapidity of HbA1c reduction during the first 16 weeks of treatment in patients who had pre-existing DR and poor glycaemic control at baseline, and who were treated with insulin.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In SUSTAIN 6, a 2-year, pre-approval cardiovascular outcomes trial, semaglutide was associated with a significant increase in the risk of DR complications (DRC) vs placebo.
Summary · context
DR data from across the SUSTAIN trials were evaluated, and post hoc analyses of the SUSTAIN 6 data were conducted.
Report a problemFND-2917851902
02HumanRandomized controlled trialSafety outcome
In adults with type 2 diabetes in SUSTAIN 1 to 5 and the Japanese trials, there was no imbalance in diabetic retinopathy adverse events with semaglutide.
In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, semaglutide trials other than SUSTAIN 6 showed no imbalance in eye disease side effects.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
No significant changeDiabetic retinopathy adverse events, SUSTAIN 1-5 and Japanese trials
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Vision and retina · Eye
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
There was no imbalance in DR adverse events across the SUSTAIN 1 to 5 and Japanese trials.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
DR data from across the SUSTAIN trials were evaluated, and post hoc analyses of the SUSTAIN 6 data were conducted.
Report a problemFND-2917851901

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Registered trials1

Trials this study reports on, or that list this study as a reference. Registry data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

1 trial · 1 completed · 1 with posted results · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)

CompletedPhase 3Results postedNCT01720446

Trial to Evaluate Cardiovascular and Other Long-term Outcomes With Semaglutide in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes

Novo Nordisk A/Sn = 3,29721 Feb 2013 to 15 Mar 2016

Diabetes · Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Trial page ClinicalTrials.govUpdated 27 Jun 2019

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 00:50 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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