Efficacy of Semaglutide by Sex in Obesity-Related Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: STEP-HFpEF Trials

Subodh Verma, Javed Butler, Barry A. Borlaug, Melanie Davies, Dalane W. Kitzman, Sanjiv J. Shah, Mark C. Petrie, Eric Barros, Cecilia Rönnbäck, Lene Sommer Vestergaard, Morten Schou, Justin A. Ezekowitz, Kavita Sharma, Shachi Patel, Khaja M. Chinnakondepalli, Mikhail N. Kosiborod*, STEP-HFpEF Trial Committees and Investigators

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: More women than men have heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess baseline characteristics and treatment effect of semaglutide by sex across the STEP-HFpEF (Research Study to Investigate How Well Semaglutide Works in People Living With Heart Failure and Obesity) program. Methods: In a prespecified secondary analysis of pooled data from STEP-HFpEF and STEP-HFpEF DM (Research Study to Look at How Well Semaglutide Works in People Living With Heart Failure, Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes), patients with heart failure (HF), left ventricular ejection fraction ≥45%, body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Clinical Summary Score (KCCQ-CSS) <90 points were randomized 1:1 to once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg or matched placebo for 52 weeks. Dual primary endpoints (KCCQ-CSS change and percentage change in body weight) and confirmatory secondary endpoints (6-minute walking distance [6MWD] change; hierarchical composite endpoint comprising all-cause death, HF events, changes in KCCQ-CSS, and 6MWD; and C-reactive protein) were compared between sexes. Results: Of 1,145 patients, 570 (49.7%) were women. Women had higher body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, C-reactive protein, and worse HF symptoms, and were less likely to have atrial fibrillation or coronary artery disease vs men. Semaglutide improved KCCQ-CSS regardless of sex (mean difference in women +7.6 points [95% CI: 4.5-10.7 points]; men +7.5 points [95% CI: 4.3-10.6 points]; P interaction = 0.94) but reduced body weight more in women (mean difference in women −9.6% [95% CI: −10.9% to −8.4%]; men −7.2% [95% CI: −8.4% to −6.0%]; P interaction = 0.006). Semaglutide improved 6MWD (P interaction = 0.21) and the hierarchical composite endpoint (P interaction = 0.66) in both sexes. Fewer serious adverse events were reported with semaglutide vs placebo. Conclusions: In patients with obesity-related HFpEF, semaglutide 2.4 mg reduced body weight to a greater extent in women, and produced similar improvements in HF-related symptoms, physical limitations, and exercise function, regardless of sex. (Research Study to Investigate How Well Semaglutide Works in People Living With Heart Failure and Obesity [STEP-HFpEF]; NCT04788511; and Research Study to Look at How Well Semaglutide Works in People Living With Heart Failure, Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes [STEP HFpEF DM]; NCT04916470)

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology
Volume84
Issue number9
Pages (from-to)773-785
Number of pages13
ISSN0735-1097
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors

Keywords

  • heart failure
  • obesity
  • semaglutide
  • sex

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