Real-world insights into incretin-based therapy: Associations between changes in taste perception and appetite regulation in individuals with obesity and overweight: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS: This cross-sectional study examined associations between self-reported taste perception changes and appetite-related outcomes in individuals with obesity treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RAS) or dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 RAS in real-world conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred and eleven adults on Wegovy® (n = 217), Ozempic® (n = 148) and Mounjaro® (n = 46) completed an online survey assessing sociodemographic, anthropometric and sensory changes and appetite-related outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between taste changes and satiety, appetite and craving. RESULTS: Participants (69.6% female; median age 39 [interquartile range, IQR 33-47]) had baseline body mass index (BMI) of 35.6 (Wegovy®), 34.7 (Ozempic®) and 36.2 kg/m(Mounjaro®). Adjusted models for baseline BMI, treatment duration, dose, age and sex showed significant reductions in BMI of 17.6% (95% CI: 15.7-19.5) for Wegovy®, 17.4% (15.0-19.8) for Ozempic® and 15.5% (8.8-22.2) for Mounjaro®. Reduced appetite was reported by 58.4% of participants (Wegovy®: 54.4%, Ozempic®: 62.1%, Mounjaro®: 56.5%) and increased satiety by 63.5% (Wegovy®: 66.8%, Ozempic®: 58.8%, Mounjaro®: 63.1%). Additionally, 21.3% reported increased sweet taste perception and 22.6% reported increased salty taste perception. Independent of the type of therapy, increased sweet taste perception was significantly associated with increased satiety (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.15-4.57), decreased appetite (AOR = 1.67; 95% CI: 1.04-3.25) and decreased craving (AOR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.05-3.29). Increased salty taste perception was associated with increased satiety (AOR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.16-5.17; all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported changes in taste perception during GLP-1 or dual GIP/GLP-1 RAS therapy were associated with favourable appetite-related outcomes, suggesting a potential mechanism contributing to treatment response.