Clinical Characteristics of Users of Weight Loss Drugs: Population‐Based Case–Control Study
Authors' conclusion
WLD use is rapidly increasing, with users often having complex comorbidities.
Study context
- Population
- Individuals aged 18–74 years initiating weight loss drugs (WLDs) during 2023–2024 in Norwaymatched 1:5
- Comparison
- WLD users vs matched population controls
- Semaglutiden = 150,036
- Liraglutiden = 4,603
- Tirzepatiden = 3,596
- Bupropion-naltrexonen = 31,172
- Orlistatn = 1,411
- Outcome
- Comorbidities diagnosed in the 2 years preceding WLD initiation and comedications dispensed in the preceding year
Methodological detailsnationwide healthcare registries, 5 age- and sex-matched population controls per user, conditional logistic regression
- Nationwide healthcare registries
- 5 age- and sex-matched population controls per user
- Conditional logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- ≥1 comorbidity: WLD users vs controls
- 71%-78% vs 49%-51%
- ≥4 comorbidities: WLD users
- 19%-24%
- Hypertension: WLD users vs controls
- 32%-38% vs 17%-20%
- Hyperlipidaemias: WLD users vs controls
- 20%-24% vs 12%-15%
- Sleep apnoea: WLD users vs controls
- 7%-11% vs 2%-3%
- Back pain: WLD users vs controls
- 15%-20% vs 10%-11%
- Opioids: WLD users vs controls
- 24%-30% vs 13%-15%
- Antidepressants: WLD users vs controls
- 20%-24% vs 10%-11%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Basic education only (≤ 10 years)
- More common among WLD users than controls
- 20%-28% vs. 17%
- Tirzepatide users: education distribution as for controls
Original publication
Clinical Characteristics of Users of Weight Loss Drugs: Population‐Based Case–Control Study. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 5 May 2026. doi:10.
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