Dulaglutide may prevent weight gain after quitting smoking especially among women: BMJ

Researchers have found in a new study that  Dulaglutide reduced postcessation weight gain in both genders and was very effective in preventing substantial weight gain.

Further the researchers Dr Fabienne Baur and team discovered that women face greater challenges in quitting smoking compared to men.

The findings of the study were published in the BMJ Nutrition.

The findings from this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial included 255 daily smokers revealed a concerning trend. The research involved 155 women and 100 men with weekly doses of dulaglutide (1.5 mg) or a placebo alongside standard smoking cessation care over a 12-week period. The smoking cessation care consisted of varenicline (2 mg/day) with behavioral counseling.

This study found no significant sex differences in absolute or relative weight change for those on dulaglutide or placebo treatments. However, a big contrast emerged regarding substantial weight gain that was defined as over a 6% increase. In the placebo group, women (24%) experienced almost five times more substantial weight gain than men (5%).

The outcome with dulaglutide intervention showed its effectiveness in reducing post-cessation weight gain in both genders. The female participants were notably less likely to experience substantial weight gain on dulaglutide (1%) when compared to the placebo (24%). Although the dulaglutide effect was less pronounced in men it still demonstrated effectiveness in preventing substantial weight gain.

This study indicates that dulaglutide could be a potential agent in assisting women and men in overcoming the hurdle of weight gain which is associated with quitting smoking. As smoking-related diseases disproportionately affect women, this intervention could mark an important stride towards addressing sex-specific challenges in smoking cessation that could possibly help to tailored treatments for a healthier, smoke-free future.

Reference:

Baur, F., Atila, C., Lengsfeld, S., Burkard, T., Meienberg, A., Bathelt, C., Christ-Crain, M., & Winzeler, B. (2023). Gender differences in weight gain during attempted and successful smoking cessation on dulaglutide treatment: a predefined secondary analysis of a randomised trial. In BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health (p. e000781). BMJ. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjnph-2023-000781