Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Once-weekly semaglutide improves glycemic control in Korean adults with T2D

Last updated July 5, 2026

Key finding

HbA1c decreased by 1.6% with semaglutide 0.5 mg.

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide in Korean adults with type 2 diabetes, showing significant improvements in HbA1c and body weight.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Risk of bias

High Risk

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide in Korean adults with type 2 diabetes, showing significant improvements in HbA1c and body weight.

Clinical relevance

These findings are significant as they suggest that semaglutide can be an effective treatment option for managing type 2 diabetes in Korean adults, potentially leading to better health outcomes. Achieving target HbA1c levels is crucial for reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications, making semaglutide a valuable addition to diabetes management strategies.

Keep in mind

Limited to Korean adults, affecting generalizability. Short duration may not capture long-term effects. Potential bias in self-reported outcomes.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Byung-Wan L, Young MC, Sin GK, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Korean Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Post Hoc Analysis. Diabetes Therapy. 2024;15(2):547-563. doi:10.1007/s13300-023-01515-0

Main Effects

HbA1c decreased by 1.6% with semaglutide 0.5 mg.

Body weight decreased by 4.8 kg with semaglutide 1.0 mg.

87.5% of participants achieved HbA1c <7.0% with semaglutide 1.0 mg.

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Semaglutide, Sitagliptin and Body weight, Composite endpoint achievement, HbA1c.

Primary intervention

Semaglutide

Primary outcomes

  • Body weight
  • Composite endpoint achievement
  • HbA1c

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

6
Evidence pairs
6
Relationships
4
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 68

4

Related topics

6

Evidence pairs

614

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 6 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 4 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Primary evidence

Evidence relationship

DPP-4 Inhibitors and HbA1c

Related evidence

Evidence relationship

DPP-4 Inhibitors and Body Weight

Save evidence

Evidence relationship

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and HbA1c

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Body weight

Semaglutide → Body weight

Semaglutide → Body weight

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
85
Strong
ImpactScore™
72
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
88
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 9 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Composite endpoint achievement

Semaglutide → Composite endpoint achievement

Semaglutide → Composite endpoint achievement

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Semaglutide → HbA1c

Semaglutide → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
86
Strong
ImpactScore™
91
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
82
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 11 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Body weight

Sitagliptin → Body weight

Sitagliptin → Body weight

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™
75
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
35
mixed
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Composite endpoint achievement

Sitagliptin → Composite endpoint achievement

Sitagliptin → Composite endpoint achievement

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Sitagliptin → HbA1c

Sitagliptin → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Strong
Score 79 · Based on 3 studies
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
100
consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 3 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • 80% of participants achieved HbA1c <7.0% with semaglutide 0.5 mg.
  • 42.9% achieved weight loss ≥5% with semaglutide 0.5 mg.
  • 1.8% HbA1c reduction observed with semaglutide 1.0 mg.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Korean adults aged 18-75 with type 2 diabetes.
  • Individuals not achieving glycemic control with other treatments.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not apply to non-Korean populations.
  • Further studies needed to assess long-term safety.
  • Effectiveness may vary based on individual patient characteristics.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • Limited to Korean adults, affecting generalizability.
  • Short duration may not capture long-term effects.
  • Potential bias in self-reported outcomes.

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and HbA1c, GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Body Weight.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does DPP-4 Inhibitors improve HbA1c?

Strong Evidence

DPP-4 Inhibitors appears to improve HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 11 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.

Limitations

  • Population details are unavailable.
11 supporting studiesUpdated: Aug 2026

Does DPP-4 Inhibitors affect body weight?

Strong Evidence

DPP-4 Inhibitors may improve Body Weight.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Body weight

    EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Mixed | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 8 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.

Limitations

  • Population details are unavailable.
8 supporting studiesUpdated: Aug 2026

Does GLP-1 Receptor Agonists improve HbA1c?

Strong Evidence

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists appears to improve HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 85.5 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 30 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.

Limitations

  • Population details are unavailable.
30 supporting studiesUpdated: Aug 2026

Does GLP-1 Receptor Agonists affect body weight?

Strong Evidence

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists appears to improve Body Weight.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Body weight

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 85.5 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 31 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.

Limitations

  • Population details are unavailable.
31 supporting studiesUpdated: Aug 2026
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