The short answer
In adults with obesity and prediabetes, semaglutide improved average weight and blood-glucose measures more than placebo over one year.
Who took part?
STEP 10 assigned 207 adults to weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg or placebo, alongside diet and physical-activity counseling. The main measurements were taken at 52 weeks.
Percent of starting weight
Original chart based on the study. Values are reported group results.
| Group or measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Semaglutide | −13.9% |
| Placebo | −2.7% |
What happened?
Average weight change was −13.9% with semaglutide versus −2.7% with placebo.
Among participants with the reported glucose measurements, 103 of 127 in the semaglutide group (81%) and nine of 64 with placebo (14%) met the study’s normal-glucose definition. That definition used both HbA1c and fasting glucose.
Adverse events caused treatment discontinuation in 6% versus 1%. Serious adverse events occurred in 9% in each group.
What does it mean?
Returning below a study’s glucose thresholds is encouraging, but it is not proof of a permanent cure or lifelong protection from diabetes. The result applies to people with obesity and prediabetes under this trial’s definitions and follow-up.
Sources
McGowan and colleagues, The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2024. Funded by Novo Nordisk. Read the paper.