Evaluation of the Relationship Between GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use and Sarcopenia in Non-Diabetic Obese Individuals: A Prospective Descriptive Study
| Registry | NCT07858864, acronym GLP1-SARCO |
|---|---|
| Status | Recruiting |
| Study type | Observational |
| Enrollment | 42 (Estimated) |
| Sponsor | Istanbul Saglik Bilimleri University (Other) |
| Conditions | Obesity, Sarcopenia |
| Interventions | GLP-1 receptor agonist (e.g., semaglutide, tirzepatide) - prescribed by the treating physician as standard care; the study does not assign or alter treatment. (Drug) |
| Dates | start 2026-05-30, primary completion 2026-11-30 (estimated), completion 2026-11-30 (estimated), first posted 2026-10-05, last updated 2026-10-08 |
| Locations | 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye) |
Related Papers Related Patents Related Grants Related Experts
All trials for Obesity All trials for Sarcopenia All trials of GLP-1 receptor agonist (e.g., semaglutide, tirzepatide) - prescribed by the treating physician as standard care; the study does not assign or alter treatment.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and dual GLP-1/GIP agonists such as semaglutide and tirzepatide produce marked weight loss in people with obesity, with reported reductions of about 15-20%. Rapid weight loss may reduce not only fat mass but also lean body mass and skeletal muscle mass, raising concern about sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity. Evidence in non-diabetic obese individuals is limited and inconsistent. This prospective descriptive study will assess muscle mass, muscle strength, physical performance and sarcopenia risk in non-diabetic obese adults starting GLP-1 RA therapy, at baseline and at month 3, and will examine how weight loss relates to changes in body composition.
Adults aged 18 years or older with obesity (BMI >30 kg/m²) and without diabetes, who are referred from the Endocrinology and Metabolism and Internal Medicine outpatient clinics to the Diabetes Education Unit and are receiving a GLP-1 RA for its approved indication, will be enrolled after verbal consent. Sarcopenia screening uses the SARC-F questionnaire (strength, assistance in walking, rise from a chair, climb stairs). Muscle strength and performance are assessed by handgrip strength (hydraulic hand dynamometer, seated, elbow at 90°, three trials per hand, highest value recorded, population-specific EWGSOP2 cut-offs), the five-times chair stand test (>15 seconds indicates high risk) and 4-metre gait speed (<0.8 m/s indicates low performance). Skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI), BMI and fat mass are obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which is already performed at every routine follow-up visit. Routine laboratory results are transcribed from clinical records; no additional blood samples are requested. Assessments occur at GLP-1 RA initiation and at month 3.
| Arm | Type | Interventions | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-diabetic obese adults receiving a GLP-1 RA (or GLP-1/GIP dual agonist) for obesity | Drug: GLP-1 receptor agonist (e.g., semaglutide, tirzepatide) - prescribed by the treating physician as standard care; the study does not assign or alter treatment. | Adults (≥18 years) with BMI ≥30 kg/m² and no diabetes who start GLP-1 RA treatment under routine clinical care and are followed at the Diabetes Education Unit. |
Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to any
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older * Diagnosis of obesity (BMI >30 kg/m²) * Currently using a GLP-1 RA * No hearing, speech or cognitive impairment * Not receiving treatment for major depressive disorder and not using antidepressants * Verbal consent to participate Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of diabetes * History of chronic kidney failure, chronic liver disease, decompensated heart failure or malignancy * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Walking impairment * Not meeting inclusion criteria or unwilling to participate
| Facility | City | Country | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital | Istanbul, Kucukcekmece | Turkey (Türkiye) | Recruiting |