Association of tirzepatide with cardiometabolic benefits in Chinese adults: post hoc subgroup analysis of SURMOUNT-CN study

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of tirzepatide with body weight, cardiometabolic markers, and metabolic syndrome in Chinese participants achieving normal body mass index (BMI) values by week 52 across baseline BMI subgroups.

Methods

This post hoc analysis of SURMOUNT-CN assessed the association of tirzepatide with cardiometabolic risk factors in Chinese participants, categorized by Chinese-specific anthropometric cutoffs for BMI and waist circumference. The association of early weight loss (greater or less than median at 12 and 24 weeks) with cardiometabolic markers and metabolic syndrome was evaluated.

Results

In this post hoc analysis (N = 177; tirzepatide 10 mg, n = 62; tirzepatide 15 mg, n = 57; placebo, n = 58), participants with greater weight reduction (greater than or equal to the median percentage loss at 12 and 24 weeks) showed significantly greater improvements in cardiometabolic markers. Tirzepatide also significantly reduced body weight, BMI, and waist circumference compared with placebo (p < 0.05). At week 52, 37 participants achieved a normal BMI (18.5–24 kg/m², Chinese criteria), and metabolic syndrome dropped from 21.6% at baseline to 0%.

Conclusions

Early weight loss with tirzepatide was associated with significant improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors, particularly in Chinese adults achieving a normal BMI by week 52, suggesting that early response may be associated with enhanced long-term metabolic health outcomes.