GLP-1 Receptor Agonist is Effective and Safe in Elderly Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Semaglutide had a comparable efficacy and safety profile in non-elderly and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. In non-elderly, the estimated treatment difference (ETD) vs comparator ranged from -0.37 to -1.50% for semaglutide 0.5 mg and -0.62 to -1.87% for semaglutide 1.0 mg. In elderly, ETDs ranged from -0.43 to -1.35% and -0.50 to -1.55%, respectively. With semaglutide 0.5 mg, BW reductions ranged from 3.3 to 4.3 kg (non-elderly) and 3.6 to 4.6 kg (elderly), and from 4.6 to 6.4 kg (non-elderly) and 4.1 to 6.7 kg (elderly) with semaglutide 1.0 mg. 1.5 to -1.7 kg (elderly). The proportion of patients experiencing AEs was comparable between the age groups. The proportion of patients prematurely discontinuing treatment due to AEs was higher in the elderly than the non-elderly group, and in the semaglutide vs comparator arms for both groups. The rate (events per 100 exposure years) of severe hypoglycemia events was similar between age groups in the semaglutide arms, except for in SUSTAIN-5 where patients were on a background of basal insulin therapy.



Semaglutide consistently improved HbA1c and BW vs comparators, in elderly (≥65 years) and non-elderly patients with T2DM, and was well tolerated, suggesting that semaglutide may be an effective treatment option for elderly T2DM patients. 1. Du YF, Ou HY, Beverly EA, et al. Achieving glycemic control in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes: a critical comparison of current options. 2. Ahren B, Masmiquel L, Kumar H, et al. Efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide versus once-daily sitagliptin as an add-on to metformin, thiazolidinediones, or both, in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN 2): a 56-week, double-blind, phase 3a, randomised trial. 3. Ahmann AJ, Capehorn M, Charpentier G, et al. Efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide vs. ER in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN 3).