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Study · Observational study · n = 674 · 2025

9 results

Long-Term Effectiveness of Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Previously Treated With Insulin. A Multicentre Real-World Study.

Bonora BM, Giaccari A, Consoli A, Broglio F, Avogaro A, Fadini GP

Diabetes/metabolism research and reviews1 May 2025Cited by 1 (Europe PMC)

PMID40277315 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC12023824 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1002/dmrr.70045 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-40277315
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Summary

BackgroundThe introduction of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) has provided new avenues for managing type 2 diabetes (T2D), aiming to achieve optimal glycaemic control while minimising treatment burden. We conducted a multicentre retrospective real-world study to assess the effectiveness of semaglutide once-weekly (OW) in patients previously treated with insulin.MethodsWe included individuals with T2D who were on insulin (basal and/or bolus) and initiated OW semaglutide at 18 specialist care centres. We collected retrospective data on baseline clinical characteristics and updated values of HbA1c and body weight. The primary outcome was the change in HbA1c analysed using the mixed model for repeated measures. Secondary outcomes included the changes in body weight, insulin discontinuation and the change in insulin doses.ResultsThe study included 674 individuals. At baseline, participants were 61.7 years old, with a mean diabetes duration of 11.5 years and an HbA1c of 8.2%. During a median follow-up of 18 months, OW semaglutide initiation led to a significant reduction in HbA1c (-0.9%) and body weight (-4.3 kg), with 60% of patients achieving HbA1c < 7%. 32.8% of patients discontinued insulin therapy, 72.5% of whom achieved an HbA1c < 7%. Among patients on basal-bolus insulin, 75% completely discontinued bolus, 62% of whom achieved an HbA1c < 7%. Predictors of insulin discontinuation included shorter diabetes duration, lower baseline HbA1c, and lower insulin doses. Among patients who remained on insulin, initiation of OW semaglutide was associated with a decrease in total daily insulin requirement.ConclusionOur study highlights OW semaglutide as a valuable addition to a T2D regimen based on insulin, offering effective glycaemic and weight control with the potential for insulin deintensification or discontinuation.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study9

9 results from studies that gave the peptide. 9 results from people.

  1. 01HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    In adults with type 2 diabetes previously treated with insulin, starting once-weekly semaglutide reduced HbA1c by 0.9% over a median 18 months.

    In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes who used insulin, starting once-weekly semaglutide was linked to a 0.9% drop in HbA1c over about 18 months.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseHbA1c change
    Study

    n = 674

    Analysis
    Primary
    Outcome group
    Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · median follow-up 18 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    HbA1c change
    −0.9%
    from baseline

    Source sentences

    Summary
    During a median follow-up of 18 months, OW semaglutide initiation led to a significant reduction in HbA1c (-0.9%) and body weight (-4.3 kg), with 60% of patients achieving HbA1c < 7%.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We included individuals with T2D who were on insulin (basal and/or bolus) and initiated OW semaglutide at 18 specialist care centres.
  2. 02HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    In adults with type 2 diabetes previously treated with insulin, starting once-weekly semaglutide reduced body weight by 4.3 kg over a median 18 months.

    In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes who used insulin, starting once-weekly semaglutide was linked to 4.3 kg lower body weight over about 18 months.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseBody weight change
    Study

    n = 674

    Analysis
    Secondary
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · median follow-up 18 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Body weight change
    −4.3 kg
    from baseline

    Source sentences

    Summary
    During a median follow-up of 18 months, OW semaglutide initiation led to a significant reduction in HbA1c (-0.9%) and body weight (-4.3 kg), with 60% of patients achieving HbA1c < 7%.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We included individuals with T2D who were on insulin (basal and/or bolus) and initiated OW semaglutide at 18 specialist care centres.
  3. 03HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    In adults with type 2 diabetes previously treated with insulin, 32.8% stopped insulin after starting once-weekly semaglutide.

    In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes who used insulin, 32.8% were able to stop insulin after starting once-weekly semaglutide.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableInsulin discontinuation
    Study

    n = 674

    Analysis
    Secondary
    Outcome group
    Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · median follow-up 18 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Patients who discontinued insulin
    32.8%
    all patients

    Source sentences

    Summary
    32.8% of patients discontinued insulin therapy, 72.5% of whom achieved an HbA1c < 7%.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We included individuals with T2D who were on insulin (basal and/or bolus) and initiated OW semaglutide at 18 specialist care centres.
  4. 04HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    Among patients on basal-bolus insulin, 75% completely stopped bolus insulin after starting once-weekly semaglutide.

    In plain wordsOf people on basal-bolus insulin, 75% completely stopped mealtime insulin after starting once-weekly semaglutide.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableBolus insulin discontinuation in basal-bolus patients
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Analysis
    Secondary
    Outcome group
    Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · median follow-up 18 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Patients who discontinued bolus
    75%
    basal-bolus insulin

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Among patients on basal-bolus insulin, 75% completely discontinued bolus, 62% of whom achieved an HbA1c < 7%.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We included individuals with T2D who were on insulin (basal and/or bolus) and initiated OW semaglutide at 18 specialist care centres.
  5. 05HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    Among patients who remained on insulin, starting once-weekly semaglutide was associated with a decrease in total daily insulin requirement.

    In plain wordsIn people who stayed on insulin, starting once-weekly semaglutide was linked to a lower total daily insulin dose.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    DecreaseTotal daily insulin requirement in patients who stayed on insulin
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Analysis
    Secondary
    Outcome group
    Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · median follow-up 18 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Among patients who remained on insulin, initiation of OW semaglutide was associated with a decrease in total daily insulin requirement.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We included individuals with T2D who were on insulin (basal and/or bolus) and initiated OW semaglutide at 18 specialist care centres.
  6. 06HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    In adults with type 2 diabetes previously treated with insulin, 60% reached HbA1c below 7% after starting once-weekly semaglutide.

    In plain wordsIn adults with type 2 diabetes who used insulin, 60% reached an HbA1c below 7% after starting once-weekly semaglutide.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableProportion with HbA1c below 7%
    Study

    n = 674

    Outcome group
    Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · median follow-up 18 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Patients with HbA1c <7%
    60%
    at follow-up

    Source sentences

    Summary
    During a median follow-up of 18 months, OW semaglutide initiation led to a significant reduction in HbA1c (-0.9%) and body weight (-4.3 kg), with 60% of patients achieving HbA1c < 7%.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We included individuals with T2D who were on insulin (basal and/or bolus) and initiated OW semaglutide at 18 specialist care centres.
  7. 07HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    Among patients who stopped insulin after starting once-weekly semaglutide, 72.5% had HbA1c below 7%.

    In plain wordsOf the people who could stop insulin after starting once-weekly semaglutide, 72.5% had an HbA1c below 7%.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableHbA1c below 7% among patients who stopped insulin
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · median follow-up 18 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Patients with HbA1c <7%
    72.5%
    insulin discontinued

    Source sentences

    Summary
    32.8% of patients discontinued insulin therapy, 72.5% of whom achieved an HbA1c < 7%.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We included individuals with T2D who were on insulin (basal and/or bolus) and initiated OW semaglutide at 18 specialist care centres.
  8. 08HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    Among basal-bolus patients who stopped bolus insulin after starting once-weekly semaglutide, 62% had HbA1c below 7%.

    In plain wordsOf people who stopped mealtime insulin after starting once-weekly semaglutide, 62% had an HbA1c below 7%.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicableHbA1c below 7% among patients who stopped bolus insulin
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · median follow-up 18 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Patients with HbA1c <7%
    62%
    bolus discontinued

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Among patients on basal-bolus insulin, 75% completely discontinued bolus, 62% of whom achieved an HbA1c < 7%.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We included individuals with T2D who were on insulin (basal and/or bolus) and initiated OW semaglutide at 18 specialist care centres.
  9. 09HumanObservational studyOther

    Shorter diabetes duration, lower baseline HbA1c and lower insulin doses predicted insulin discontinuation after starting once-weekly semaglutide.

    In plain wordsPeople with shorter diabetes, lower starting HbA1c and lower insulin doses were more likely to stop insulin after starting semaglutide.

    Peptide
    Semaglutide
    Outcome
    Not applicablePredictors of insulin discontinuation
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated · median follow-up 18 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Predictors of insulin discontinuation included shorter diabetes duration, lower baseline HbA1c, and lower insulin doses.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    We included individuals with T2D who were on insulin (basal and/or bolus) and initiated OW semaglutide at 18 specialist care centres.

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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