ASSESSMENT OF THE EMERGENCE OF DEPRESSIVE AND ANXIETY SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS USING SEMAGLUTIDE

INTRODUCTION: Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has occupied a position of growing relevance in the management of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, accompanied by a considerable expansion of its prescription in different clinical contexts. In this scenario, discussions have intensified regarding the possible repercussions of the drug on the mental health of users, especially with respect to the emergence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, a theme still surrounded by gaps in the national and international literature. AIMS: To assess the mental health and the emergence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients undergoing treatment with semaglutide, as well as their perception of psychological well-being and quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional and analytical study with a predominantly quantitative approach was carried out, preceded by a narrative review of the literature in the SciELO and PubMed databases. The sample, selected in a non-probabilistic manner by convenience, consisted of 30 patients using semaglutide and nine prescribing physicians. Data collection, conducted between October 2025 and June 2026, was performed through two self-administered electronic questionnaires made available on the Google Forms platform, covering sociodemographic and clinical variables, in addition to questions adapted from the WHOQOL-BREF. The data were submitted to descriptive statistical analysis. RESULTS: The sample was characterized by a female predominance (73.3%) and a mean age of 40.1 years, with indications directed mainly at body weight control. Between the beginning of treatment and the time of response, mean body weight decreased from 88.0 kg to 77.3 kg and body mass index from 31.1 to 27.2 kg/m². A predominantly favorable profile of quality of life and psychological well-being was observed, with emphasis on the perception of meaning in life, on emotional stability, positively evaluated by 73.3% of the participants, and on the low frequency of negative feelings, reported as nonexistent or occasional by 66.7%. In contrast, the domains related to sleep, leisure and acceptance of physical appearance concentrated the least favorable perceptions. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: In this sample, favorable perceptions of psychological well-being predominated, and most participants reported not experiencing, or experiencing only sometimes, negative feelings at the time of data collection. However, the cross-sectional design, the absence of a baseline measure and of a comparison group, the small sample size and the use of selected questions from a quality of life instrument o not allow the determination of the emergence, improvement or worsening of depressive and anxiety symptoms attributable to semaglutide. The findings should be interpreted as exploratory and reinforce the need for longitudinal studies with specific and validated instruments for these outcomes.

KEYWORDS: Semaglutide; GLP-1 agonist; Mental health; Depression; Anxiety; Quality of life.