INTRODUCTION: Tirzepatide, a novel dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist has shown significant promise in weight reduction and glycemic management in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, there have been no reports evaluating the quality of life (QOL) in patients who switched from oral semaglutide to tirzepatide. This study prospectively investigated short-term changes in the QOL of these patients.
METHODS: This study was a single-center, prospective observational study. Participants were patients with T2DM who switched from oral semaglutide to tirzepatide due to insufficient weight reduction between May 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. The primary outcome was the change in the Diabetes Therapy-Related QOL (DTR-QOL) questionnaire scores from baseline to 3 months after switching. The changes in glycemic management and body weight were also assessed as secondary outcomes.
RESULTS: Eleven patients were enrolled in this study. The total DTR-QOL score was significantly improved 3 months after switching (from 58.0 ± 9.9 to 81.5 ± 11.2, p < 0.001). Four subscale domains were also significantly improved (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.015 and p < 0.001, respectively). There were no significant changes in glycated hemoglobin levels and body weight 3 months after switching (from 6.8 ± 1.0% to 6.4 ± 0.8%, p = 0.068 and from 86.5 ± 19.6 kg to 84.2 ± 19.7 kg, p = 0.099, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: Switching from oral semaglutide to tirzepatide potentially improves overall QOL in patients with T2DM in a short period of time. Further large cohort studies will reinforce the results.