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Study · Observational study · n = 25 · 2024

8 results

The maintenance of long-term weight loss after semaglutide withdrawal in obese women with PCOS treated with metformin: a 2-year observational study.

Jensterle M, Ferjan S, Janez A

Frontiers in endocrinology11 Apr 2024Cited by 27 (Europe PMC)

PMID38665260 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC11043580 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.3389/fendo.2024.1366940 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-38665260
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Summary

BackgroundWithdrawal of semaglutide is frequently followed by weight regain due to compensatory biological changes that prevent the maintenance of long-term weight loss. There are some studies implying that metformin might attenuate weight regain. The weight trajectory after discontinuation of short-term semaglutide treatment in obese women with PCOS who continued metformin treatment has not yet been evaluated.AimsWe explored changes in body weight, cardiometabolic and endocrine parameters in obese women with PCOS who continued treatment with metformin 2 years after discontinuation of short-term intervention with semaglutide.Methods25 women with PCOS and obesity, aged 33.7 ± 5.3 years (mean ± SD), were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 1.0 mg as an adjunct to metformin 2000 mg/day and lifestyle intervention for 16 weeks. At week 16, semaglutide was discontinued. Treatment with metformin 2000 mg/day and promotion of lifestyle intervention were continued during the 2-year follow-up period. Weight change, cardiometabolic, and endocrine parameters were assessed 2 years after semaglutide discontinuation.ResultsDuring semaglutide treatment phase, weight decreased from 101 (90-106.8) kg to 92 (83.3-100.8) kg. Two years after semaglutide withdrawal, weight was 95 (77-104) kg. The net weight loss 2 years after discontinuation of semaglutide remained significant when compared to baseline (p=0.003). At the end of the study, 21 out of 25 subjects had lower body weight compared to baseline. Improvements in cardiometabolic parameters including decrease in total and LDL cholesterol, fasting glucose, and glucose after OGTT that had been seen during semaglutide-treatment phase reverted towards baseline two years after semaglutide cessation. Free testosterone levels significantly decreased during semaglutide treatment from 6.16 (4.07-9.71) to 4.12 (2.98-6.93) nmol/l, (p= 0.012) and did not significantly deteriorate after semaglutide discontinuation.ConclusionTwo years after semaglutide withdrawal, women with PCOS who continued with metformin regained about one-third of the semaglutide-induced weight loss. At the end of the follow up, 84% of women had a lower body weight than at baseline.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study8

8 results from studies that gave the peptide. 8 results from people.

  1. 01HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    In obese women with PCOS on metformin, body weight fell from 101 kg to 92 kg (medians) during 16 weeks of semaglutide.

    In plain wordsIn obese women with PCOS, body weight fell during 16 weeks of semaglutide added to metformin.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseBody weight during semaglutide treatment
    Study

    n = 25

    Comparator
    Baseline
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    1.0 mg once weekly · subcutaneous · 16 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Body weight, baseline
    101 kg
    median
    Body weight, end of treatment
    92 kg
    median

    Source sentences

    Summary
    During semaglutide treatment phase, weight decreased from 101 (90-106.8) kg to 92 (83.3-100.8) kg.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    25 women with PCOS and obesity, aged 33.7 ± 5.3 years (mean ± SD), were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 1.0 mg as an adjunct to metformin 2000 mg/day and lifestyle intervention for 16 weeks.
  2. 02HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    Two years after semaglutide withdrawal, weight was 95 kg and the net weight loss versus baseline remained significant (p=0.003).

    In plain wordsTwo years after stopping semaglutide, women with PCOS still weighed less than before treatment.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseBody weight 2 years after semaglutide withdrawal
    Study

    n = 25

    Comparator
    Baseline
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    1.0 mg once weekly · subcutaneous · 16 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Body weight, 2 years after withdrawal
    95 kg
    median

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Two years after semaglutide withdrawal, weight was 95 (77-104) kg. The net weight loss 2 years after discontinuation of semaglutide remained significant when compared to baseline (p=0.003).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    25 women with PCOS and obesity, aged 33.7 ± 5.3 years (mean ± SD), were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 1.0 mg as an adjunct to metformin 2000 mg/day and lifestyle intervention for 16 weeks.
  3. 03HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    At the end of the study, 21 out of 25 women had lower body weight than at baseline.

    In plain wordsAt the end of the study, most of the women weighed less than before treatment.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseParticipants with lower body weight than baseline at 2 years
    Study

    n = 25

    Comparator
    Baseline
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    1.0 mg once weekly · subcutaneous · 16 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Participants with lower body weight
    21 participants
    of 25

    Source sentences

    Summary
    At the end of the study, 21 out of 25 subjects had lower body weight compared to baseline.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    25 women with PCOS and obesity, aged 33.7 ± 5.3 years (mean ± SD), were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 1.0 mg as an adjunct to metformin 2000 mg/day and lifestyle intervention for 16 weeks.
  4. 04HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    Two years after semaglutide withdrawal, women with PCOS who continued metformin regained about one-third of the semaglutide-induced weight loss.

    In plain wordsAfter stopping semaglutide, women with PCOS who kept taking metformin regained about one-third of the weight they had lost.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseWeight regain after semaglutide withdrawal
    Study

    n = 25

    Comparator
    Baseline
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    1.0 mg once weekly · subcutaneous · 16 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Two years after semaglutide withdrawal, women with PCOS who continued with metformin regained about one-third of the semaglutide-induced weight loss.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    25 women with PCOS and obesity, aged 33.7 ± 5.3 years (mean ± SD), were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 1.0 mg as an adjunct to metformin 2000 mg/day and lifestyle intervention for 16 weeks.
  5. 05HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    The decrease in total and LDL cholesterol seen during semaglutide treatment reverted towards baseline 2 years after semaglutide cessation.

    In plain wordsCholesterol improvements seen during semaglutide went back towards baseline levels two years after stopping it.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    MixedTotal and LDL cholesterol 2 years after withdrawal
    Study

    n = 25

    Comparator
    Baseline
    Outcome group
    Lipids · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    1.0 mg once weekly · subcutaneous · 16 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Improvements in cardiometabolic parameters including decrease in total and LDL cholesterol, fasting glucose, and glucose after OGTT that had been seen during semaglutide-treatment phase reverted towards baseline two years after semaglutide cessation.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    25 women with PCOS and obesity, aged 33.7 ± 5.3 years (mean ± SD), were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 1.0 mg as an adjunct to metformin 2000 mg/day and lifestyle intervention for 16 weeks.
  6. 06HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    The decrease in fasting glucose and glucose after OGTT seen during semaglutide treatment reverted towards baseline 2 years after semaglutide cessation.

    In plain wordsBlood sugar improvements seen during semaglutide went back towards baseline levels two years after stopping it.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    MixedFasting glucose and post-OGTT glucose 2 years after withdrawal
    Study

    n = 25

    Comparator
    Baseline
    Outcome group
    Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    1.0 mg once weekly · subcutaneous · 16 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Improvements in cardiometabolic parameters including decrease in total and LDL cholesterol, fasting glucose, and glucose after OGTT that had been seen during semaglutide-treatment phase reverted towards baseline two years after semaglutide cessation.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    25 women with PCOS and obesity, aged 33.7 ± 5.3 years (mean ± SD), were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 1.0 mg as an adjunct to metformin 2000 mg/day and lifestyle intervention for 16 weeks.
  7. 07HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    Free testosterone fell significantly during semaglutide treatment, from 6.16 to 4.12 nmol/l (p= 0.012).

    In plain wordsIn women with PCOS, free testosterone levels fell during semaglutide treatment.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseFree testosterone during semaglutide treatment
    Study

    n = 25

    Comparator
    Baseline
    Outcome group
    Sex hormones and fertility · Endocrine and hormones
    Studied dose
    1.0 mg once weekly · subcutaneous · 16 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Free testosterone, baseline
    6.16 nmol/l
    median
    Free testosterone, on treatment
    4.12 nmol/l
    median

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Free testosterone levels significantly decreased during semaglutide treatment from 6.16 (4.07-9.71) to 4.12 (2.98-6.93) nmol/l, (p= 0.012) and did not significantly deteriorate after semaglutide discontinuation.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    25 women with PCOS and obesity, aged 33.7 ± 5.3 years (mean ± SD), were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 1.0 mg as an adjunct to metformin 2000 mg/day and lifestyle intervention for 16 weeks.
  8. 08HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    Free testosterone did not deteriorate significantly after semaglutide discontinuation.

    In plain wordsAfter semaglutide was stopped, free testosterone levels did not rise significantly again.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeFree testosterone after semaglutide discontinuation
    Study

    n = 25

    Comparator
    Baseline
    Outcome group
    Sex hormones and fertility · Endocrine and hormones
    Studied dose
    1.0 mg once weekly · subcutaneous · 16 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Free testosterone levels significantly decreased during semaglutide treatment from 6.16 (4.07-9.71) to 4.12 (2.98-6.93) nmol/l, (p= 0.012) and did not significantly deteriorate after semaglutide discontinuation.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    25 women with PCOS and obesity, aged 33.7 ± 5.3 years (mean ± SD), were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 1.0 mg as an adjunct to metformin 2000 mg/day and lifestyle intervention for 16 weeks.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

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.

  1. Version 2Current

    11 Oct 2026, 00:04 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. 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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