Medscape Medical News took a deep dive into the diabetes and endocrinology stories of 2024 to develop a list of the 10 most read — those that piqued our readers' interest and, sometimes, their ire. Dig in as we count down!

No surprise that what was described as the first clinical comparative effectiveness study of tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Eli Lilly) and semaglutide (Ozempic, Novo Nordisk) garnered substantial interest.

The study included close to 10,000 adults with overweight or obesity in each group, half of whom had type 2 diabetes (T2D). They were followed for a mean of 165 days. The proportions achieving at least 5%, 10%, and 15% weight loss within 1 year with tirzepatide vs semaglutide were 81.8% vs 66.5%, 62.1% vs 37.1%, and 42.3% vs 18.1%, respectively. The authors acknowledged limitations, including possible unmeasured confounders and reliance on electronic health record data and on brand as dosing proxy.

Comments regarding the usefulness of the drugs overall were mixed, with several commentators pointing to lack of access and others with questions about the study. Howard Selden, MD, a general practitioner in Canada, pointed out that a comparative study looking at other potential benefits of semaglutide — for example, T2D, lipids, and dementia — would be helpful, as well as a comparison of on/off-label uses and adverse events.

Tirzepatide may have lost in the weight loss comparison with semaglutide, but it was a winner in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

In the SURMOUNT-OSA studies, presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 84th Scientific Sessions and simultaneously published online in The New England Journal of Medicine, up to half of study participants with obesity and OSA who received tirzepatide in both trials had less than five events per hour or 5-14 apnea-hypopnea index events per hour and an Epworth Sleepiness Scale score ≤ 10. Indeed, tirzepatide was so effective at reducing sleep disruptions in participants that 40%-50% no longer…

Marilynn Larkin

Read full article