Real-World Need for T2DM Proof
Type 2 diabetes demands effective drugs that control glucose and weight in daily practice. Semaglutide shows trial promise, but local data lags in places like Saudi Arabia. This study checks its clinical and cost impact in a tertiary hospital. The results were published in the Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare.
Saudi Hospital Chart Review Design
Researchers reviewed charts from a single center for adults diagnosed with T2DM at least one year prior between January 2017 and December 2023, and they excluded those with prior GLP-1RA use. The group totaled 186 patients newly started on semaglutide. Primary measures tracked HbA1c and BMI changes at 12 months. Secondary outcomes covered outpatient visits, ER visits, hospital days, and total per-patient costs.
Strong Gains Offset by Cost Rise
After 12 months, median HbA1c dropped from 8.9% [8.4-9.9] to 7.8% [7.2-8.4] (p<0.0001), and BMI fell from 34.8 kg/m² [31.2-38.5] to 32.6 kg/m² [29.5-37.1] (p<0.0001). Outpatient visits eased from 3.8 ± 1.6 to 2.9 ± 1.5 per patient. Hospitalization days shortened from 7.6 ± 7.2 to 4.6 ± 2.3. Total costs climbed from SAR 8,660.6 [6,412.6-11,352.3] to 10,434.1 [8,738.4-12,553.4], yielding mean extra yearly cost of SAR 1,964 per patient. Subgroups with high baseline HbA1c and BMI gained most but faced steeper costs.
Balance Efficacy Against Budget Realities
Semaglutide drives major HbA1c and weight improvements plus fewer visits and stays in Saudi T2DM adults, yet drug costs push overall expenses higher especially in sicker patients.