The Effectiveness of Tirzepatide on Weight Loss in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Obesity is a significant risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) exhibiting a high diabetes prevalence, surpassing the global average. Despite this, there is a notable absence of studies in the UAE and the Gulf region evaluating the efficacy of tirzepatide , a potential weight loss solution. The primary objective is to determine the effectiveness of tirzepatide in inducing weight loss among T2DM patients in the UAE. A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted at Thumbay University Hospital, UAE, assessing the efficacy of Tirzepatide in comparison to Semaglutide in weight loss among adult T2DM patients. The study includes patients initiating treatment between September 2022 and September 2023. Data is collected from medical records, and statistical analysis is performed using SPSS 28 software. 41 patients were included in the study that met our inclusion criteria. There is a significant difference in weight loss outcomes between patients treated with tirzepatide and those treated with semaglutide, with a notably higher percentage of individuals experiencing at least 5% weight loss on tirzepatide. Specifically, 95.1% of those taking tirzepatide experienced weight loss, whereas only 75.6% of those on semaglutide did (P<0.05). Additionally, the mean weight loss difference was positive, at 2.53 kilograms, indicating that, on average, the tirzepatide group had a higher mean weight loss than the semaglutide group. Furthermore, data demonstrated that individuals with a last recorded HbA1c of less than or equal to 7 were more likely to achieve >5% weight loss compared to those with HbA1c greater than 7 (80.0% vs.36.8%) (P<0.01). This statistical evidence supports that patients with better glycemic control lost more weight. The study highlights tirzepatides superior effectiveness in weight loss compared to a previously used drug among T2DM patients. By exploring tirzepatides efficacy in this diverse population, the research has the potential to inform preventive measures against obesity-related health issues beyond diabetes.