DOI: 10.25934/pr00010360
title: Identifying Clinical Predictors of Weight Loss in Older Adults with Diabetes: Insights from SURPASS Clinical Trials

description: Overall Brief Description:

This research aims to understand why some older adults with diabetes lose more weight than others. By analyzing data from the SURPASS clinical trials, we seek to identify specific health characteristics, treatments, and lifestyle factors that contribute to weight loss in this population. Our goal is to use these insights to help healthcare providers develop personalized strategies that can better support weight management and overall health in adults older than 65 years living with type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes:
Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that affects how the body processes blood sugar. It occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar, or when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. This leads to elevated levels of glucose in the blood, which can cause serious health problems over time. Globally, over 400 million people are living with type 2 diabetes, making it a significant public health concern.In the United States of America, approximately one in ten people has diabetes.

Research Design and Methods:

The research will be conducted through a retrospective analysis of existing data from the SURPASS clinical trials which included 6,720 participants. These trials included a comprehensive collection of demographic, health status, and treatment-related data for older adults with diabetes.
The SURPASS trials are a group of randomized clinical trials aimed at understanding the efficacy of different treatments in various clinical scenarios of diabetes. For this study, we will analyze the data with a focus on weight loss reductions, using continuous variables such as weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), lean mass (body weight excluding fat), fat mass (weight of fat in the body), and visceral adipose tissue (fat stored deep in the body, for example around organs). 

Tirzepatide is an antidiabetic medication used for the treatment of diabetes and for weight loss. It is a GLP-1-GIP (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1/ Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide) dual receptor agonist, this means it mimics GLP-1 and GIP hormones that are naturally secreted by the intestine after a meal, which prompts insulin secretion. The insulin then allows sugar (glucose) in the blood to be absorbed by the body. Tirzepatide also reduces appetite by slowing down the time it takes the stomach to empty and by interacting with the brain to signal fullness.

We will use models to assess the real impact of tirzepatide. Statistical methods will be employed to evaluate the relationships between the weight-related variables and clinical predictors (such as age, gender, baseline health status, and treatment regimens) and weight loss outcomes.

Contribution to Medical Science or Patient Care:

This research will add valuable knowledge to the field of endocrinology by identifying clinical predictors of weight loss in older adults with diabetes. Improved weight management can reduce complications associated with diabetes, thereby enhancing the quality of life for these patients. Additionally, it is clinically relevant to understand which factors drive more extensive weight loss, as an outcome it is not always wanted in this population. Previous studies have explored weight loss in diabetic populations, but there is limited research specifically focused on older adults. By leveraging the extensive data from the SURPASS trials, we aim to fill this gap in the literature.