Semaglutide Enhances Walking Ability in Patients with PAD and Diabetes

A recent analysis presented at the 85th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in Chicago reveals significant vascular benefits of semaglutide in patients suffering from peripheral artery disease (PAD) and type 2 diabetes. This groundbreaking research highlights improvements in walking capacity, quality of life, and a notable reduction in disease progression among affected individuals.

Peripheral artery disease, a condition characterized by narrowed arteries that restrict blood flow to the limbs, affects approximately 230 million people worldwide, with up to 30% of those having diabetes. Symptoms of PAD can lead to significant disability and increase the risk of severe complications, including amputations. For over 25 years, advancements in treatment options for PAD have been limited, making this new research particularly significant.

The STRIDE trial, a phase 3 multinational study, involved 792 patients aged 18 and older diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and PAD, specifically those experiencing intermittent claudication—a condition manifesting as muscle pain or cramping during physical activity. Patients were randomized to receive either semaglutide or a placebo over a 52-week period to evaluate its impact on walking capacity and overall health outcomes. The trial, which spanned 112 outpatient clinical sites across 20 countries, reported that semaglutide treatment resulted in a median walking distance improvement ratio of 1.21 compared to 1.08 for the placebo group at the end of the study.

Professor Subodh Verma, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FAHA, FCAHS, a cardiovascular surgeon at the University of Toronto and senior author of the STRIDE trial, emphasized the importance of these findings. According to Dr. Verma, "Clinicians can now recognize semaglutide as a vascular protective medication, with benefits that extend beyond lowering weight or A1C levels. These data suggest semaglutide positively affects vascular health in patients with diabetes, highlighting its therapeutic potential for improving function and quality of life in those with PAD."

The study’s results indicate that semaglutide was well tolerated, with a low incidence of serious adverse events and no treatment-related deaths reported. Notably, these benefits were observed irrespective of baseline A1C levels, duration of diabetes, and body mass index (BMI), presenting semaglutide as a versatile treatment option for patients with PAD, regardless of their metabolic status.

Further research is necessary to explore whether these benefits could extend to patients with PAD who do not have diabetes. The significant findings from the STRIDE trial provide a new perspective on the management of PAD, a condition that has seen minimal advancements in recent decades.

The ADA's Scientific Sessions, the largest global meeting focused on diabetes research, serves as a platform for unveiling pioneering treatments and research findings aimed at improving diabetes management and outcomes. As the ADA celebrates 85 years of advocacy and research efforts, the organization continues to drive initiatives that support individuals living with diabetes across the United States and beyond.

This new evidence on semaglutide’s efficacy not only paves the way for improved patient care but also underscores the ongoing need for advancements in therapies targeting vascular health in chronic conditions such as diabetes. The implications of these findings could reshape treatment protocols, potentially leading to enhanced quality of life for millions of patients worldwide.