Publication:

Health-related quality of life and psychological distress among patients with type 2 diabetes using semaglutide

Background Semaglutide is increasingly used for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but its real-world association with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychological wellbeing remains underexplored in Saudi Arabia. The study aims to assess HRQoL and psychological distress among patients with T2DM according to current semaglutide use.

Methods This analytical cross-sectional study included 349 adults with T2DM attending outpatient diabetic clinics in  Taif, Saudi Arabia, between September 2025 and February 2026. HRQoL was assessed using the Arabic EQ-5D-5L, including EQ-5D-5L index and EQ-VAS scores, while psychological distress was assessed using the Arabic PHQ-4. Adjusted regression models examined associations between semaglutide use and study outcomes.

Results Among 349 participants, 145 were semaglutide users and 204 were non-users. Semaglutide use was not significantly associated with EQ-VAS score (B=-0.091, 95% CI: -2.259 to 2.078, p=0.935) or EQ-5D-5L index score (B=-0.030, 95% CI: -0.062 to 0.003, p=0.072). However, semaglutide use was associated with higher odds of pain/discomfort (OR=2.610, 95% CI: 1.385-4.917, p=0.003), anxiety/depression (OR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.213-3.899, p=0.009), and any psychological distress (OR=2.929, 95% CI: 1.503–5.710, p=0.002).

Conclusions Semaglutide use was not associated with better overall HRQoL, but was associated with higher odds of pain/discomfort and psychological distress. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify whether these associations reflect treatment effects, baseline patient complexity, or unmeasured clinical factors.