Background: The weight loss benefit of semaglutide in patients with diabetes is well-documented, but its clinical utility in treating obesity among patients without diabetes is less described. We therefore assessed the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous semaglutide as treatment for obesity in patients without diabetes. Methodology: A comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane and Google scholar was performed to identify trials on the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous semaglutide on patients with obesity without diabetes. Primary outcome was expressed as percent mean weight difference. Secondary outcomes including risk for gastrointestinal adverse events, discontinuation of treatment and serious adverse events were expressed as risk ratios. These were calculated using the random effects model. Results: The study included 4 randomized controlled trials having a total of 3,613 individuals with obesity without diabetes. The mean difference for weight reduction was -11.85%, favoring semaglutide [95% confidence interval (CI) (-12.81,-10.90), p<0.00001]. Secondary outcomes showed that the risk of developing gastrointestinal adverse events was 1.59 times more likely with semaglutide (RR 1.59, 95%CI [1.34, 1.88], p<0.00001). Risk for discontinuation due to adverse events was twice as likely in the semaglutide group (RR 2.19, 95%CI [1.36,3.55], p=0.001) and the risk for serious adverse events was 1.6 times more likely for semaglutide (RR1.60, 95%CI [1.24, 2.07], p=0.0003). Serious events were mostly of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders such as acute pancreatitis and cholelithiasis. Conclusion Among individuals with obesity without type 2 diabetes, subcutaneous semaglutide is effective for weight loss with an 11.85% reduction from baseline compared to placebo. This supports the use of semaglutide for weight management in obesity. However, risk of gastrointestinal adverse events, discontinuation of treatment and serious adverse events were higher in the semaglutide group versus placebo.
Obesity ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with acute liver injury presenting as increased liver enzymes, specifically alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). There is limited data in the prevalence of liver injury in COVID 19. We aim to determine the prevalence of acute liver injury among COVID-19 patients admitted in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines.

METHODS

The study is a single center, retrospective cohort of all COVID-19 patients with baseline AST and ALT admitted at St. Luke’s Medical Center - Quezon City from January 2020 to December 2021. The population was divided into those with normal liver enzymes, mild (AST and/or ALT 1-3 times ULN), and severe (AST and/or ALT >3x ULN) acute liver injury. Association of liver injury to clinical outcome, COVID 19 disease severity, and length of hospital stay were determined. Among those with elevated AST/ALT, comparison of the levels before and after treatment with hepatoprotective agents were evaluated.

RESULTS

Among the 669 patients included in the analysis, 448 (67%) developed liver injury of which 50 (7.5%) had severe liver injury and 398 (59.5%) developed mild liver injury. Chi squared analysis showed that acute liver injury (OR:2.64,CI:1.90-3.69, p < 0.01) was associated with COVID-19 severity. However, acute liver injury was not associated with clinical outcome (p = 0.347) and length of hospital stay (p = 0.317). There was no association between the use of hepatoprotective agents and changes in level of transaminases (p=0.087).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that mild liver injury is commonly found in patients with COVID-19 infection. Severity of liver injury is significantly associated with COVID-19 severity, but not with clinical outcome and length of hospital stay. In this study, treatment with hepatoprotective agents did not lead to a decrease in liver enzymes. Further evaluation is needed to recognize those patients at higher risk of complications and identify effective therapies in providing better clinical outcomes.

Human ; Covid-19