Ertugliflozin and weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes: a real-life retrospective study

Introduction: Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represent a growing global epidemic. Weight loss, even moderate (3-5%), carries significant benefits, improving glycaemic control and reducing obesity and diabetes-related comorbidities. Therefore, exploring pharmacological approaches supporting weight loss in patients with diabetes is essential. Ertugliflozin is a sodium-dependent glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor used to treat patients with T2DM as monotherapy or in combination with other antidiabetic agents. It enhances glycaemic control and promotes body weight loss while also posing a negligible risk of hypoglycaemia. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 164 diabetic patients treated with Ertugliflozin (alone or in combination) attending the Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care Unit at the IRCCS Sant’Orsola University Hospital in Bologna over a period of one year. Patients were examined at the first visit (V0), after six (V1) and twelve months (V2). We evaluated body weight, body mass index (BMI), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and concomitant antidiabetic therapy. Results and Conclusions At baseline the mean age of patients was 63 years, with 68% males and 32% females. The average body weight and BMI were 80.7 kg, and 28.2 kg/m2 respectively, and average HbA1c was 63.9 mmol/mol. Our analysis showed a significant reduction in weight, BMI and HbA1c in patients treated with Ertugliflozin during follow-up. In the 94 patients who concluded the annual follow-up the overall weight loss was 3.2% (2.6 kg), with an average HbA1c reduction of 6.8 mmol/mol. Weight loss was independent from concomitant antidiabetic therapy at baseline. In conclusion, our study confirmed a significant beneficial impact of Ertugliflozin on weight loss in patients with T2DM. Weight loss aligns with literature data suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors produce an average weight loss of about 2-3 kg after 52 weeks in patients with T2DM, regardless of baseline therapy.