Project Description

Author: Pathan et al.

Summary:

Semaglutide might be a drug of choice for glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) during day-long religious fasting of muslims in the month of Ramadan due to its minimal risk of hypoglycemic episodes and once weekly dose. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this drug in glycemic control during Ramadan.

Methods

This observational study was conducted in BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from March to May 2022 including 130 patients with T2DM (55 receiving semaglutide 0.5mg once weekly subcuteneous dose and 75 receiving other medications). Patients had a baseline evaluation around two weeks before Ramadan and a followup evaluation after end of Ramadan. The end points were change of HbA1c level, fasting plasma glucose, body weight, blood pressure, fasting lipid profile and eGFR from baseline to post-Ramadan visit. Independent t-test was used to compare the parameters between semaglutide and control group.

Results

Patients in semaglutide group had a better glycemic control compared to control group (mean decrease of HbA1c level 0.61% vs 0.19%, p-value <0.001). Besides, semaglutide showed better efficacy in weight loss (3kg vs 1.4kg), reducing serum level of total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride level (p-value <0.001). Gastrointestinal symptoms and hypoglycemia were reported as common adverse events of semaglutide.

Conclusion

Semaglutide once weekly subcuteneous dose is effective and safe to use for achieving better glycemic control during the month-long fasting of Ramadan.

Status: Ongoing

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