An international study led by Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers reveals that semaglutide, a weight loss drug, significantly reduces mortality rates, including deaths from cardiovascular disease and COVID-19, in overweight or obese patients with pre-existing heart conditions. The SELECT trial, involving over 17,000 participants, demonstrated a 19% reduction in overall death rates among those receiving weekly semaglutide injections compared to the placebo group.
The randomized, controlled SELECT trial, funded by Novo Nordisk, spanned from October 2018 to March 2023. Participants, all with established heart disease and either overweight or obesity, were administered semaglutide or a placebo. The results, presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024 and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, showed a 15% decrease in cardiovascular-related deaths in the semaglutide group.
Unexpected Reduction in Non-Cardiovascular Deaths
Notably, the study also revealed a 23% reduction in deaths attributed to non-cardiovascular causes. According to Benjamin M. Scirica, MD, MPH, Director of Quality Initiatives at Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Cardiovascular Division and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, the impact of semaglutide on non-cardiovascular outcomes, particularly COVID-19-related deaths, was an unforeseen but significant finding. Death from infection was the most common non-cardiovascular cause of death in the trial group.
Impact on COVID-19 Outcomes
While the incidence of COVID-19 was similar between the semaglutide and placebo groups, those on semaglutide experienced fewer severe adverse events and deaths related to the virus. Researchers emphasize that it remains unclear whether the observed benefits are directly linked to weight loss induced by semaglutide or other mechanisms of action. This observation, derived from a large multinational study, warrants replication in future research.
Future Research Directions
Further investigations are planned to elucidate the precise mechanisms through which semaglutide exerts its protective effects. Additional studies involving similar drugs in this class are expected to provide further insights. The SELECT trial's findings open new avenues for exploring the potential benefits of this drug class in diverse patient populations and across various health outcomes.
