Semaglutide and Walking Capacity: What the STRIDE Trial Means for People with PAD and Type 2 Diabetes

By 
Dr Amit Kumar Singh
 on 
Dec 5, 2025
 • 
5
 min read

For millions of people, living with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) presents a daily challenge. These conditions, often intertwined, can cast a long shadow over quality of life, with one of the most debilitating symptoms being a sharp, cramping pain in the legs while walking. This pain, known as intermittent claudication, can turn a simple walk to the shops into a gruelling ordeal, severely limiting mobility and independence.

According to Diabetes UK, over 4.3 million people are now living with a diagnosis of diabetes in the UK, while the British Heart Foundation estimates that PAD affects a significant portion of the population, often going undiagnosed.

Semaglutide, a medication well-known under brand names like Wegovy for its powerful effects on blood sugar control and weight management, has emerged as a subject of intense interest. Researchers hypothesised that its benefits might extend beyond metabolic health, potentially improving blood flow and reducing inflammation in the legs of those with PAD. This led to a crucial clinical investigation: the STRIDE (Semaglutide Treatment on Walking Distance in Peripheral Artery Disease) trial.

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the STRIDE trial and explores the mechanism of Semaglutide, and breaks down the trial's methodology and results.

Understanding PAD and Type 2 Diabetes

Before exploring the trial itself, it's essential to understand the two conditions at its core. Peripheral Artery Disease and Type 2 Diabetes are distinct diagnoses, but their relationship is deeply interconnected, creating a complex clinical picture for many patients.

What Is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Peripheral Artery Disease is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs, most commonly the legs.

According to the NHS, this narrowing is caused by atherosclerosis, a process where fatty deposits, or plaques, build up on the artery walls. When the arteries supplying blood to your legs become partially or fully blocked, the leg muscles don't receive enough oxygen-rich blood to meet the demands of physical activity.

The classic symptom of this oxygen deficit is intermittent claudication. This is characterised by:

  • Pain on exertion: A painful aching, cramping, or feeling of fatigue in the muscles of the calves, thighs, or buttocks that appears during walking or climbing stairs.
  • Relief with rest: The pain consistently subsides after a few minutes of rest, only to return when activity is resumed.

The severity of intermittent claudication can vary widely, from a mild nuisance to debilitating pain that severely restricts how far a person can walk.

If left unmanaged, PAD can progress, leading to pain even at rest, non-healing sores, and in severe cases, the risk of amputation.

The Link Between Type 2 Diabetes and PAD

The connection between T2D and PAD is not coincidental; it is a dangerous synergy. Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes are at a significantly higher risk of developing PAD, and when they do, it is often more severe and progresses more rapidly.

This heightened risk is driven by several factors linked to diabetes:

  • Accelerated Atherosclerosis: High blood glucose levels can damage the inner lining of the arteries (the endothelium), making them more susceptible to the buildup of fatty plaques.
  • Inflammation: T2D is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation throughout the body, which is a key driver of the atherosclerotic process.
  • Nerve Damage (Neuropathy): Diabetes can damage the nerves in the feet and legs, which can mask the early warning signs of PAD, such as claudication pain. This means the disease can advance to a more critical stage before it is even detected.

Research published in journals like Diabetes Care has consistently shown that people with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop PAD than those without. The two conditions feed off each other, creating a vicious cycle of vascular damage.

Managing blood sugar is just as crucial as managing cholesterol and blood pressure in these individuals. Therefore, any treatment that effectively manages T2D is also a critical component of managing PAD risk.

Semaglutide: Mechanism, Usage, and Potential Benefits

Semaglutide or Wegovy has become a popular in diabetes care and, more recently, in weight management. Its role in the STRIDE trial, however, was to test its potential to go beyond these established benefits.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a medication known as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It works by mimicking a hormone that stimulates insulin release, suppresses appetite, and slows stomach emptying. It is widely used for managing Type 2 Diabetes. Wegovy, a higher-dose version, is also approved for weight management. Researchers hypothesised that beyond its proven benefits for blood sugar and weight control, Semaglutide's potential anti-inflammatory and direct vascular benefits might improve blood flow and, consequently, walking capacity in people with PAD.

Semaglutide is approved by the MHRA and is available on the NHS and via private weight loss providers like SheMed.

Beyond Blood Sugar Control: The Potential Benefits for PAD

The hypothesis for the STRIDE trial was rooted in growing evidence that the benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Semaglutide are not limited to glucose control. Pre-clinical and cardiovascular outcome trials have suggested these drugs may have direct protective effects on the vascular system.

Researchers believed Semaglutide could potentially help with PAD through:

  • Anti-inflammatory Effects: As mentioned, inflammation is a key driver of atherosclerosis. Studies published in journals accessible suggest GLP-1 agonists can reduce markers of systemic inflammation.
  • Improved Endothelial Function: These drugs may help restore the health of the inner lining of blood vessels, allowing them to dilate more effectively and improve blood flow.
  • Reduction in Oxidative Stress: They may help combat the cellular damage caused by oxidative stress, a process implicated in vascular disease.

The central question was whether these potential vascular benefits would translate into a tangible, real-world improvement for patients: could Semaglutide help people with PAD and T2D walk further and with less pain?

The STRIDE Trial: Design and Methodology

The STRIDE Trial (Semaglutide Treatment on Walking Capacity in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease and Type 2 Diabetes) was designed as a rigorous Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT), the gold standard for clinical evidence. The study enrolled a specific cohort of patients: those suffering from both symptomatic PAD and Type 2 Diabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either Semaglutide or a placebo. 

STRIDE Trial Results: The Impact on Walking Capacity

The STRIDE trial results delivered a clear and positive message. The study demonstrated that Semaglutide significantly improved walking distance compared to the placebo. Patients in the Semaglutide group experienced a substantial increase in their Maximal Walking Distance, allowing them to walk further without debilitating pain. This translates directly to a tangible improvement in daily life and functional capacity.

Furthermore, the benefits extended beyond mobility. As expected, the Semaglutide group showed significant improvements in key secondary outcomes, including better blood sugar control (lower HbA1c) and reductions in body weight. The trial also reinforced the cardiovascular safety profile of Semaglutide in this high-risk patient population. In summary, Semaglutide improves claudication and overall metabolic health in individuals with PAD and T2D.

Primary and Secondary Endpoints from Trial

In any clinical trial, the "endpoints" are the key outcomes measured to determine if the treatment works.

  • Primary Endpoint: The main outcome of interest in the STRIDE trial was the change in Maximal Walking Distance (MWD). This was measured using a standardised graded treadmill test, where participants walk at a set speed and incline until claudication pain forces them to stop. The total distance walked is the MWD.
  • Secondary Endpoints: The trial also measured several other important outcomes, including:
    • Pain-Free Walking Distance (PFWD): The distance a participant could walk on the treadmill before the onset of leg pain.
    • HbA1c: A measure of average blood sugar control over the previous three months.
    • Body Weight: Changes in weight from the beginning to the end of the trial.
    • Cardiovascular Events: The occurrence of events like heart attacks or strokes.
    • Quality of Life: Measured using validated patient questionnaires.

Adverse Events and Tolerability

The safety profile of Semaglutide observed in the STRIDE trial was consistent with its known side effects. The most commonly reported adverse events were gastrointestinal in nature, including:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea

These side effects were more common in the Semaglutide group than in the placebo group and are a well-documented aspect of initiating treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists. For most patients, these effects are mild to moderate and tend to decrease over time as the body adjusts to the medication.

Conclusion

The STRIDE Trial provides strong evidence that Semaglutide like Wegovy can significantly improve walking capacity in people living with both Peripheral Artery Disease and Type 2 Diabetes. Future research will need to explore other pathways for improving blood flow and muscle function in PAD. The limitations of the STRIDE trial, such as its duration, might also prompt longer-term studies to see if any benefits emerge over time. For now, the focus for patients and clinicians in the UK must remain on the pillars of PAD care: exercise, lifestyle modification, and optimal medical management of risk factors.

Key Takeaways 

  1. Significant Improvement in Walking Ability: The trial demonstrated that Semaglutide provides a direct and meaningful benefit for mobility. Patients experienced a substantial increase in their maximal walking distance, reducing the debilitating pain of intermittent claudication.
  2. Dual Benefit for Metabolic Health: Beyond improving walking capacity, Semaglutide delivers its established benefits of better blood sugar control (HbA1c reduction) and weight loss, addressing two key risk factors for PAD progression.
  3. A Potential New Therapeutic Approach: This trial positions Semaglutide as more than just a diabetes drug. It suggests a dual-purpose therapy that could simultaneously manage Type 2 Diabetes and its vascular complications, like PAD in future.
  4. A Manageable Safety Profile: The safety findings were consistent with the known profile of GLP-1 drugs. The main side effects were gastrointestinal (e.g., nausea) and were generally transient, reinforcing that the drug is a viable option for this patient group.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What was the main finding of the STRIDE trial?
The STRIDE trial found that Semaglutide significantly improved walking distance for people with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and Type 2 Diabetes. Patients taking Semaglutide could walk much further without pain compared to those on a placebo.

2. What are the common side effects of Semaglutide?
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. These are often mild to moderate and tend to decrease over time as the body adjusts to the medication.

References

  1. Diabetes UK. (n.d.). Diabetes prevalence. Retrieved from https://www.diabetes.org.uk/professionals/position-statements-reports/statistics
  2. British Heart Foundation. (n.d.). BHF UK Factsheet. Retrieved from https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/our-research/heart-statistics
  3. NHS. (n.d.). Peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/peripheral-arterial-disease-pad/
  4. Iqbal, Z., et al. (2023). Semaglutide and walking capacity in patients with peripheral artery disease and type 2 diabetes (STRIDE): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 11(12), 914-924. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)00509-4/abstract 

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