Efficacy and Safety of Dulaglutide for Weight Reduction Among Diabetic Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Alonazi GK, Alawuad LA

Cureus21 Jul 2025

PMID40842739PMCIDPMC12366480DOI10.7759/cureus.88424PepBankPUB-40842739

Summary

Background and objective Obesity commonly affects individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and can lead to serious health complications. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are being explored for their potential role in promoting weight loss and improving glycemic control. However, data on its effectiveness in real-world settings, particularly in Saudi Arabia, remains limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dulaglutide in weight reduction and glycemic control among diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Riyadh. A total of 132 adult patients who were diagnosed with T2DM and received dulaglutide (1.5 mg/week) between January 1, 2019, and December 1, 2021, were included. Changes in body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were assessed at baseline, six months, and 12 months. Safety outcomes, including side effects like hypoglycemic events, were recorded. Paired t-tests and descriptive statistics were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) for Windows. Results A significant reduction in BMI was observed at six months (mean decrease from 36.96±6.51 to 36.23±6.78 kg/m², p=0.023), while changes at 12 months were not statistically significant (p=0.178). HbA1c levels decreased significantly over 12 months (from 9.69±1.78% to 8.31±1.62%, p=0.001), (statistical significance was defined as a p<0.05). A total of 24.2% of the patients had hypoglycemia, predominantly among insulin users; adverse effects were reported by 10.6% of patients, such as constipation, nausea, and diarrhea. Conclusion Dulaglutide demonstrated efficacy in weight reduction and significant long-term improvement in glycemic control among Saudi Arabian patients with T2DM. It was well tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse effects. These findings support the role of dulaglutide as a therapeutic option for weight and glucose management in diabetic populations.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study5

5 results from studies that gave the peptide. 5 results from people.

01HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In Saudi adults with type 2 diabetes, dulaglutide use was linked to lower BMI at six months.
In plain wordsIn Saudi adults with diabetes, dulaglutide use was linked to lower BMI at six months.
Peptide
Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
Outcome
DecreaseBMI at six months
Study
n = 132
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1.5 mg/weekAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
BMI
36.96 kg/m²
baseline, SD 6.51
BMI
36.23 kg/m²
six months, SD 6.78
Source sentences
Summary
Results A significant reduction in BMI was observed at six months (mean decrease from 36.96±6.51 to 36.23±6.78 kg/m², p=0.023), while changes at 12 months were not statistically significant (p=0.178).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Riyadh.
Summary · context
A total of 132 adult patients who were diagnosed with T2DM and received dulaglutide (1.5 mg/week) between January 1, 2019, and December 1, 2021, were included.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4084273901
02HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In Saudi adults with type 2 diabetes, BMI did not change significantly after 12 months of dulaglutide use.
In plain wordsIn Saudi adults with diabetes, BMI did not change significantly after 12 months of dulaglutide use.
Peptide
Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
Outcome
No significant changeBMI at 12 months
Study
n = 132
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1.5 mg/weekAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Results A significant reduction in BMI was observed at six months (mean decrease from 36.96±6.51 to 36.23±6.78 kg/m², p=0.023), while changes at 12 months were not statistically significant (p=0.178).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Riyadh.
Summary · context
A total of 132 adult patients who were diagnosed with T2DM and received dulaglutide (1.5 mg/week) between January 1, 2019, and December 1, 2021, were included.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4084273902
03HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In Saudi adults with type 2 diabetes, dulaglutide use was linked to lower HbA1c over 12 months.
In plain wordsIn Saudi adults with diabetes, dulaglutide use was linked to lower long-term blood sugar over 12 months.
Peptide
Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
Outcome
DecreaseHbA1c at 12 months
Study
n = 132
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1.5 mg/weekAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
HbA1c
9.69%
baseline, SD 1.78
HbA1c
8.31%
12 months, SD 1.62
Source sentences
Summary
HbA1c levels decreased significantly over 12 months (from 9.69±1.78% to 8.31±1.62%, p=0.001), (statistical significance was defined as a p<0.05).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Riyadh.
Summary · context
A total of 132 adult patients who were diagnosed with T2DM and received dulaglutide (1.5 mg/week) between January 1, 2019, and December 1, 2021, were included.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4084273903
04HumanObservational studySafety outcome
In Saudi adults with type 2 diabetes receiving dulaglutide, 24.2% had hypoglycemia, predominantly among insulin users.
In plain wordsAmong Saudi adults with diabetes receiving dulaglutide, 24.2% had low blood sugar, mainly among insulin users.
Peptide
Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
Outcome
Direction not reportedHypoglycemia
Study
n = 132
Outcome group
Adverse events · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1.5 mg/weekAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Patients with hypoglycemia
24.2%
dulaglutide-treated patients
Source sentences
Summary
A total of 24.2% of the patients had hypoglycemia, predominantly among insulin users; adverse effects were reported by 10.6% of patients, such as constipation, nausea, and diarrhea.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Riyadh.
Summary · context
A total of 132 adult patients who were diagnosed with T2DM and received dulaglutide (1.5 mg/week) between January 1, 2019, and December 1, 2021, were included.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4084273904
05HumanObservational studySafety outcome
In Saudi adults with type 2 diabetes receiving dulaglutide, 10.6% reported adverse effects, such as constipation, nausea, and diarrhea.
In plain wordsAmong Saudi adults with diabetes receiving dulaglutide, 10.6% reported adverse effects, such as constipation, nausea and diarrhea.
Peptide
Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
Outcome
Direction not reportedAdverse effects
Study
n = 132
Outcome group
Adverse events · Whole body
Studied dose
1.5 mg/weekAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Patients with adverse effects
10.6%
dulaglutide-treated patients
Source sentences
Summary
A total of 24.2% of the patients had hypoglycemia, predominantly among insulin users; adverse effects were reported by 10.6% of patients, such as constipation, nausea, and diarrhea.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Riyadh.
Summary · context
A total of 132 adult patients who were diagnosed with T2DM and received dulaglutide (1.5 mg/week) between January 1, 2019, and December 1, 2021, were included.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4084273905

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Version 2Current
22 Oct 2026, 02:25 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
21 Oct 2026, 18:59 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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