Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: While liraglutide was the first glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist for treating obesity, a chronic metabolic condition (body mass index of ≥30 kg/m²), newer GLP-1 agonists such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are used more widely in real-world practice. Therefore, it is important to understand the demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals initiating newer GLP-1 agonists in usual care settings.
METHODS: A retrospective claims analysis of individuals with obesity (ICD-10: E66.x, Z68.3, Z68.4) from 11/01/22-09/30/25 was conducted using the Anlitiks All Payor Claims Database. Eligible sample included individuals with no history of diabetes, and no GLP-1/glucose-lowering medication use for ≥12 months before initiating semaglutide or tirzepatide between 11/01/2023-09/30/2025. The first medical or pharmacy claim for GLP-1 formed the index date. Baseline demographic (e.g., age, gender), payor type (e.g., commercial), Charlson comorbidities, and obesity-related comorbidities (e.g., hypertension), and prescriber specialty (e.g., family/internal medicine) were evaluated descriptively.
RESULTS: Of 680,657 eligible individuals, 393,928 (57.9%) and 286,729 (42.1%) initiated semaglutide and tirzepatide, respectively. Mean age was 48.1 years and 73.5% were females among semaglutide initiators while mean age was 48.5 years and 71.9% were females among tirzepatide initiators. Both semaglutide and tirzepatide initiators were more commonly insured commercially (37.5% vs. 42.5%) followed by Medicaid (19.5% vs. 14.3%); family/internal medicine (35.7% vs. 37.5%), followed by nurse practitioners (6.9% vs. 6.7%) were the most common prescriber specialty. Approximately, 62.2% and 65.9% of semaglutide and tirzepatide initiators had no Charlson comorbidities; obesity-related comorbidities included hypertension (40.9% vs. 38.1%), dyslipidemia (35.6% vs. 34.4%), and obstructive sleep apnea (18.7% vs. 20.9%).
CONCLUSIONS: Newer GLP-1 initiators in this real-world analysis had similar characteristics. Overall, mean age was 48 years, 3 in 4 individuals were female, and one third were commercially insured. Commonly reported obesity-related comorbidities among newer GLP-1 initiators included hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea.