BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effects of oral semaglutide on the changes in food preference of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.
METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study included 75 patients with type 2 diabetes who received oral semaglutide. The primary outcome was the change in the score of brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) score 3 months after the initiation of oral semaglutide treatment. The secondary outcome was the change in the Control of Eating Questionnaire (CoEQ), HbA1c, and body mass index (BMI) after 3 months.
RESULTS: The median age, BMI, and HbA1c of the 23 participants were 64.0 years, 26.9 kg/m, and 7.6% (59 mmol/mol). The BDHQ results showed total energy was significantly reduced. Among the individual nutrients, carbohydrates most decreased. The CoEQ results particularly showed declines in cravings for something sweet, chocolate or chocolate flavored foods, and starchy foods, satisfaction at meals, frequency and intensity of food craving, difficulty of resisting the craving for food, and frequency of eating in response to cravings for food were significantly lower after 3 months. The mean HbA1c and BMI significantly decreased.
CONCLUSIONS: In Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, oral semaglutide treatment decreased total energy intake and changed food preferences.