Paradigm Shifts in GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use Amongst Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in the United States

Introduction and Objective: GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) are becoming an increasingly popular diabetes therapy management option for people with type 2 diabetes (T2s) in the U.S. This research sought to characterize changes within the populations and expectations of T2s starting GLP-1s over the past 3 years. Methods: T2s who reported starting a GLP-1 in the past year were surveyed in 2021 (n=200) and 2024 (n=442) on HbA1c, BMI and diabetes-related comorbidities, as well as expected improvements to their health with respect to their GLP-1 use. Additionally, n=576 T2s who reported never having taken a GLP-1 despite being a risk at cardiovascular disease (CVD) were surveyed on why they had never tried this therapy. Results: The health profiles of T2s new to a GLP-1 saw no significant shifts from 2021 to 2024, except for HbA1c; the percentage of those at or below the clinical recommendation of 7.0% increased significantly (46% to 58%, p<0.05). Expected health improvements corroborated this shift, as a significantly lower proportion of respondents reported starting a GLP-1 to improve their glycemic control (84% to 75%, p<0.05). Notably, the proportion of those taking GLP-1s for weight loss increased significantly (59% to 70%, p<0.05), despite no change in the percentage of those with a BMI ≥30. Of T2s at risk of CVD who had never taken a GLP-1, 39% reported never having discussed GLP-1s as an option to improve their heart health with their HCP and 21% reported no awareness of the cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1s. This aligns with data found with respect to T2s new to a GLP-1 - over the past 3 years, the proportion of those new to a GLP-1 with heart problems and the percentage of those who reported starting a GLP-1 to improve their heart health has not changed. Conclusion: Results show that paradigms with respect to GLP-1 use amongst T2s has shifted from being a therapy mainly for diabetes management to being primarily for weight management, while auxiliary benefits of GLP-1s, including lowering CVD risk, may not be well understood by the T2 patient population. Disclosure: J. Lee: Employee; dQ&A. A. Beltran: Research Support; Abbott, Dexcom, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, diaTribe, Insulet Corporation, Medtronic, Ascensia Diabetes Care, Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc, Sequel Med Tech, Beta Bionics, Inc, Zucara Therapeutics. T. Bell: Research Support; Abbott, Dexcom, Inc., Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc, Medtronic, MannKind Corporation, Insulet Corporation, CeQur, Beta Bionics, Inc, Eli Lilly and Company, Ypsomed AG. T.L. Bristow: None. R. Wood: Other Relationship; Abbott, diaTribe, Glooko, Inc, Dexcom, Inc., Medtronic, Lilly Diabetes, Insulet Corporation, Sanofi-Aventis U.S., Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc, Zucara Therapeutics.