Trial evidence
Study results describe groups of people, not your own result.
A trial is a study of a group of people. To understand its results, look at who took part, their care, and what treatments were compared.
Put study results beside their limits
What a weight study found
SURMOUNT-1 enrolled no one with diabetes; its adults had obesity, or they were overweight with an associated health problem. At 72 weeks, average weight loss across the tirzepatide groups ranged from 15.0% to 20.9%, compared with 3.1% in the dummy-shot group.
- The maker funded the study, and participants received lifestyle counselling along with regular visits.
- A group average does not give you a personal target.
- Ask how the study group compares with your own health and care setting.
What happened after treatment changed
In SURMOUNT-4, participants first had 36 weeks of tirzepatide before being assigned to continue it or switch to a dummy shot. During the next 52 weeks, the people switched to dummy shots gained an average of 14.0% of their weight at week 36. Those who kept taking tirzepatide lost another 5.5%, also measured from their weight at week 36. At the end, the groups still weighed less than before starting: 9.9% less after switching, and 25.3% less after continuing tirzepatide.
- Ask how the clinician plans to discuss stopping, changing, or continuing care.
- Keep that question alongside the cost of ongoing visits.
Read the result with its limits
Ask how the study’s people and care compare with your own circumstances.
- Who took part?
- What did the comparison group receive?
- What can this study leave unanswered for me?