The Effect of Semaglutide on Quality of Life in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: A Brief Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Aims Semaglutide 2.4 mg causes substantial weight loss, but its average effect on patient‐reported physical function requires interpretation against clinically meaningful thresholds and routine clinical expectations. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of once‐weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg on patient‐reported physical functioning and weight‐related quality‐of‐life outcomes in adults with overweight or obesity. Materials and Methods In this prospectively registered systematic review and meta‐analysis, MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase via Elsevier Embase.com , Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for randomised placebo‐controlled trials of once‐weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with overweight or obesity reporting SF‐36v2 or IWQOL‐Lite‐CT outcomes. Four STEP trials, including 4182 participants, contributed SF‐36v2 Physical Functioning data. Results Semaglutide improved SF‐36v2 Physical Functioning compared with placebo, with a mean difference of 1.71 points and a 95% confidence interval of 1.07 to 2.35; heterogeneity was moderate, with I 2 = 52.8%. However, this estimate was below the 3.7‐point meaningful within‐patient change threshold. Two trials, including 2768 participants, reported IWQOL‐Lite‐CT outcomes. Effects were larger in participants without type 2 diabetes and smaller in participants with type 2 diabetes, and both remained below published thresholds. Conclusions The available randomised evidence comes from the semaglutide development programme. Semaglutide statistically improves patient‐reported outcomes, but average functional gains are modest and should be communicated cautiously.