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Study · Randomized controlled trial · n = 20 · 2025

3 results

Semaglutide, central retinal thickness and continuous glucose monitoring in persons with type 2 diabetes: A post-hoc analysis from a randomised trial.

Gullaksen S, Vernstrøm L, Sørensen SS, Funck KL, Petersen L, Bek T, Poulsen PL, Laugesen E

Journal of diabetes and its complications10 Apr 2025Cited by 1 (Europe PMC)

PMID40239470 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2025.109039 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-40239470
Publisher pagePubMedAsk about this study
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Summary

AimsGlycemic control is important for preventing diabetic retinopathy (DR), but rapid improvements could deteriorate the disease. In some, but not all studies, semaglutide is speculated to worsen DR, but the mechanism is unknown. Central retinal thickness (CRT) is an early marker of DR. Therefore, the objective was to investigate whether increased Time in Range (TIR (3.9-10.0 mmol/L)), was associated with reduced CRT in persons treated with semaglutide.MethodsForty participants with type 2 diabetes were included in this post-hoc analysis of a 32-week randomised, placebo-controlled, partly open-label trial investigating the separate and combined effects of semaglutide and empagliflozin on target organ damage in 120 participants with type 2 diabetes. Individuals were randomised into four groups: i) semaglutide, ii) empagliflozin, iii) the combination or iv) placebo, n = 30 for each group). In the present study, 10 participants from each of the 4 arms participated. TIR was assessed using Continuous Glucose Measurement for 7-8 days and CRT was assessed using ocular coherence tomography.ResultsIn the 10 individuals treated with semaglutide, CRT increased ~1 % (3.76 μm, 95%CI [-0.32; 7.85], p = 0.065) compared to placebo. This was attenuated with adjustment for TIR (p = 0.21). Independently of the four interventions, increased TIR remained associated with increased CRT (0.07 μm, 95%CI[0.03; 0.12]μm, p = 0.002).ConclusionSemaglutide treatment did not impact CRT beyond what could be explained by changes in glycaemia. Across all interventions, increased TIR was associated with increases in CRT, thus supporting the link between rapid improved glycemia and DR.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

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

  1. 01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome

    In adults with type 2 diabetes, central retinal thickness rose about 1% (3.76 μm) with semaglutide versus placebo, which was not statistically significant.

    In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, semaglutide raised retinal thickness about 1% compared with placebo, but this was not statistically significant.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeCentral retinal thickness change with semaglutide versus placebo
    Study

    n = 20

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Vision and retina · Eye
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 32 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    CRT difference
    3.76 μm
    semaglutide vs placebo
    CRT difference
    ≈ 1%
    semaglutide vs placebo

    Source sentences

    Summary
    In the 10 individuals treated with semaglutide, CRT increased ~1 % (3.76 μm, 95%CI [-0.32; 7.85], p = 0.065) compared to placebo.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Forty participants with type 2 diabetes were included in this post-hoc analysis of a 32-week randomised, placebo-controlled, partly open-label trial investigating the separate and combined effects of semaglutide and empagliflozin on target organ damage in 120 participants with type 2 diabetes.
    Summary · context
    In the present study, 10 participants from each of the 4 arms participated.
  2. 02HumanRandomized controlled trialMechanism

    The semaglutide effect on central retinal thickness was attenuated after adjustment for time in range (p = 0.21).

    In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, the small retinal thickness rise with semaglutide shrank after accounting for time in target glucose range.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    No significant changeCentral retinal thickness change with semaglutide after adjustment for time in range
    Study

    n = 20

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Vision and retina · Eye
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · 32 weeksAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    p value
    0.21
    CRT after TIR adjustment

    Source sentences

    Summary
    This was attenuated with adjustment for TIR (p = 0.21).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Forty participants with type 2 diabetes were included in this post-hoc analysis of a 32-week randomised, placebo-controlled, partly open-label trial investigating the separate and combined effects of semaglutide and empagliflozin on target organ damage in 120 participants with type 2 diabetes.
    Summary · context
    In the present study, 10 participants from each of the 4 arms participated.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Semaglutide.

  1. 03HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneRandomized controlled trialOther

    Across all four interventions, a higher time in range was associated with greater central retinal thickness (0.07 μm).

    In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes, more time in the target glucose range was linked to greater retinal thickness, whatever treatment they had.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    IncreaseAssociation of time in range with central retinal thickness across all interventions
    Study

    n = 40

    Outcome group
    Vision and retina · Eye

    Measurements

    CRT per unit TIR
    0.07 μm
    all four interventions

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Independently of the four interventions, increased TIR remained associated with increased CRT (0.07 μm, 95%CI[0.03; 0.12]μm, p = 0.002).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Forty participants with type 2 diabetes were included in this post-hoc analysis of a 32-week randomised, placebo-controlled, partly open-label trial investigating the separate and combined effects of semaglutide and empagliflozin on target organ damage in 120 participants with type 2 diabetes.
    Summary · context
    In the present study, 10 participants from each of the 4 arms participated.

    In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.

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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