Active, not recruitingPhase 4Interventional
What this study is about
The goal of this study is to examine how tirzepatide affects body composition, bone health, and physical performance in older adults over a nine-month period. Participants will take tirzepatide weekly, have clinic visits every 4 weeks, meet study doctor and registered dietitian every 4 weeks in person or video conference, attend group intervention sessions twice a month via video conference, weigh daily with a study-provided smart scale, keep a record of all foods and beverages consumed, and use a study-provided activity tracker to keep track of daily step counts.
A promising-looking record is not the same as confirmed eligibility. The study team must review the full criteria and current recruitment status.
Basic eligibility
Age65 Years to Not listed
SexAll
Healthy volunteersNot accepted
ConditionObesity
Full registry criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * BMI 30-37 kg/m2 or BMI 27-\<30 kg/m2 with at least 1 weight-related comorbidity * community dwelling * able to provide own transportation to study visits * willing to provide informed consent * willing to take terzepatide for 9 months * agree to all study procedures/assessments * approved for participation by the study physician Exclusion Criteria: * dependent on a cane or walker or needing assistance with any activity of daily living * history of mild cognitive impairment or dementia or cognitive impairment on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA score \<22) * evidence of depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale score =\>16 * use of \>1 tobacco product/day or 4/week or vaped \>1/week in past year * excessive alcohol use in past month (\>7 drinks/week for women; \>14 drinks/week for men) * weight loss or gain \>5% in past 3 months * vegan or other severe dietary restriction * history of binge eating disorder * regular participation in high intensity aerobic or resistance exercise training \>150 mins/week * severe arthritis, fracture, chronic injury, or other musculoskeletal disorder that prevents walking independently * joint replacement or other orthopedic surgery in past 6 months or planned in next 12 months * osteoporosis (self report or DXA t-score \<= -2.5 on total hip and/or femoral neck) * uncontrolled hypertension (systolic \>160 OR diastolic \>100 mmHg) upon repeated assessments * type 1 diabetes * uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c \>7.5%), type 2 diabetes diagnosed within last year, or newly identified type 2 diabetes (HbA1c \>6.5%) * dialysis or abnormal kidney function (eGFR \<30 ml/min/1.73m2) * liver disease or abnormal liver function (ALT levels 2 times above normal limit) * severe anemia (Hb \<11 g/dL) * potassium or sodium above or below normal limits * uncontrolled thyroid disease (hypo/hyper) or requiring recent (past 3 months) adjustments in thyroid hormone supplementation or TSH \<0.45 or \>4.5 mU/L * stroke, heart attack, heart failure hospitalization, or revascularization procedure within the past year; New York heart failure Class \>2; COPD requiring oxygen use; uncontrolled angina; PAD diagnosis within the last year; progressive neurologic disease (e.g., Parkinson's, ALS, MS); other diseases suggesting a life-expectancy \<3 years * personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or any other cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancers) requiring treatment in past year * history of gastroparesis or pancreatitis * cholelithiasis, severe irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease * history of stomach or small intestinal surgery (except appendectomy but including surgery for weight loss) * recent (within 4 weeks) acute respiratory illness including influenza, COVID-19 * overnight hospitalization within the past 6 months * regular use of growth hormones, medications prescribed for weight management, prescription osteoporosis medications, certain prescription medications for diabetes including insulin, sulfonylurea, meglitinides, GLP-1 agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors * use of oral steroids for \>1 month within the last 3 months * current participation in another intervention research study * planned out of town trips greater than 3 weeks in the next year
Primary outcomes
Change in total body lean massBaseline to Month 9Change in total body lean mass will be measured by DXA scan
Change in appendicular lean massBaseline to Month 9Change in appendicular lean mass will be measured by DXA scan
Change in total body fat massBaseline to Month 9Change in total body fat mass will be measured by DXA scan
Change in total hip bone mineral densityBaseline to Month 9Change in total hip bone mineral density will be measured by DXA scan
Change in lumbar spine bone mineral densityBaseline to Month 9Change in lumbar spine bone mineral density will be measured by DXA scan
Change in 400 meter walk timeBaseline to Month 9Change in the time it takes to walk 400 meters (10 laps on an indoor, 20-meter course). The 400 meter walk is a test of exercise tolerance and aerobic fitness.
Change in lower extremity physical performance scoreBaseline to Month 9Change in lower extremity physical performance will be assessed by the expanded Short Physical Performance Battery. Activities include side-by-side, semi-tandem, tandem and one leg stand balance tests; 4 meter walk; 4 meter narrow walk; and time to rise from a chair five times. Total score ranges from 0-4 with higher scores indicating better lower extremity physical performance.
Change in leg strengthBaseline to Month 9Change in leg extensor strength will be assessed using the Keiser AIR300 Leg Press System.
