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Weight Loss with GLP-1s in Everyday Care: Vanderbilt Study Shows Gaps vs. Clinical Trials

The Preventive Medicine Podcast

Aug 25, 2025, 09:04

Weight Loss with GLP-1s in Everyday Care: Vanderbilt Study Shows Gaps vs. Clinical Trials

Michael Albert, Co-Founder, Chief Medical Officer at Accomplish Health posted on X:

”Real-World GLP-1 Data: Vanderbilt Obesity Clinic Study (n=2,306)

Clinical trials showed 15–21% weight loss with semaglutide and tirzepatide. But how do patients actually fare in practice?

Key Findings:
Median treatment duration: 10.7 months (50% discontinued by 12 months)
Only 23% reached semaglutide 2.4 mg, 28% reached tirzepatide 15 mg
Weight loss for those who continued treatment:
• 6 months: –9.4%
• 12 months: –14.4%
13.6% had medication-related ER visits (mostly GI side effects)

Context:
This was not a typical setting—patients had multidisciplinary support and NO-COST medication access through employer insurance bundles.

Reality Check:
– With the right care model, real-world outcomes can approach RCTs
– Most patients never reach target doses
– Half stop treatment within a year

The gap between “can work” and “does work” remains large. Sustained success appears tied to comprehensive care models that most patients can’t easily access.”

Read the full study here.

GLP-1 therapy