Diego Sepulveda

Dr. Diego Sepulveda

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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5 January 2026 in Diabetology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RCRegina Castaneda
Regina Castaneda
DSDiego Sepulveda
Diego Sepulveda
RGRENE DE JESUS RIVERA GUTIERREZ
RENE DE JESUS RIVERA GUTIERREZ
JVJose Villamarin
Jose Villamarin
DBDima Bechenati
Dima Bechenati
MAMaria Daniela Hurtado Andrade
Maria Daniela Hurtado Andrade
Background/Objectives: Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) achieve less total body weight loss (TBWL) with obesity medications compared to those without T2D. The individualized metabolic surgery (IMS) score, originally developed to predict T2D remission after bariatric surgery, inversely correlates with TBWL response to semaglutide. IMS reflects T2D severity, incorporating HbA1c and T2D duration and medication use. This study aims to evaluate TBWL with tirzepatide across IMS severity categories and identify predictors of response in a real-world cohort. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 717 adults with T2D using tirzepatide for overweight or obesity within the Mayo Clinic Health System. Patients were stratified by IMS severity (mild, moderate, severe) and quartiles. Primary endpoint: TBWL% at 15 months. Secondary endpoints: categorical thresholds (≥5%, ≥10%, ≥15%, ≥20%) and predictors of TBWL%. Linear mixed-effects models and regression models were employed. Results: At 15 months, TBWL was greater in mild versus severe IMS groups (14.8% vs. 11.0%, p = 0.015), with similar trends across quartiles. The proportion achieving ≥ 20% TBWL was nearly two-fold higher in mild versus severe IMS (27% vs. 14%, p = 0.03). Female sex independently predicted greater TBWL, whereas insulin use, higher T2D medication burden (particularly weight-promoting agents), and HbA1c > 7% were associated with less TBWL. Conclusions: Tirzepatide produced clinically meaningful TBWL across all IMS categories, although TBWL declined with increasing IMS severity. Glycemic control and T2D medication use emerged as strong predictors of TBWL. The IMS score may serve as a practical tool to anticipate weight-loss trajectories, guide personalized treatment decisions, and inform patient counseling.

28 July 2026 in Menopause
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
RCRegina Castaneda
Regina Castaneda
DSDiego Sepulveda
Diego Sepulveda
MAMaria Daniela Hurtado Andrade
Maria Daniela Hurtado Andrade
CSChrisandra L. Shufelt
Chrisandra L. Shufelt
SFStephanie Faubion
Stephanie Faubion
Importance and Objective: Sexual health is a multidimensional aspect of women’s well-being. It is particularly vulnerable during midlife, when the physiological and psychosocial changes of the menopause transition intersect with the growing burden of obesity. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have emerged as highly effective pharmacologic treatments for obesity, yet their effects on female sexual function remain largely uncharacterized. This review aims to discuss the interplay among obesity, midlife, obesity treatments, and female sexual health, with a focused synthesis of available evidence on GLP-1–based therapies and sexual outcomes in women. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes preclinical studies, case reports, observational data, and clinical trials identified through PubMed searches from inception through March 2026, examining female sexual function in the context of obesity, the menopause transition, obesity treatments, and GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy. Discussion and Conclusion: Obesity impairs female sexual function through hormonal, vascular, and psychosocial mechanisms. Accordingly, lifestyle interventions and bariatric surgery have demonstrated meaningful improvements in sexual function. In contrast, GLP-1 receptor agonists, despite conferring substantial weight loss and favorable metabolic effects, may paradoxically suppress sexual desire and arousal through central neuroendocrine mechanisms, including the modulation of dopaminergic reward and serotonergic signaling. While emerging case reports and preclinical data support this concern, systematic clinical evidence remains limited, highlighting the need for prospective studies with longitudinal sexual function endpoints. In this context, clinicians should proactively assess sexual function before and during GLP-1 therapy using validated instruments and integrate sexual health into comprehensive obesity care for midlife women.

10 December 2021
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
PGPaloma Acacia Guzman-Garcia
Paloma Acacia Guzman-Garcia
EOEfrain Orozco-Quintana
Efrain Orozco-Quintana
DSDiego Sepulveda
Diego Sepulveda
ACAlexis Cooley-Magallanes
Alexis Cooley-Magallanes
DSDaniela Salas-Velazquez
Daniela Salas-Velazquez
NSNancy de Los Angeles Segura-Azuara
Nancy de Los Angeles Segura-Azuara
Hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by a deficit of thyroid hormones that leads to a low metabolic rate, typically associated with lethargy. The causes are diverse and may vary from congenital defects and autoimmune disorders to iodine deficiency, the latter being easily preventable with the appropriate strategies. For this chapter, the authors documented a social media awareness campaign via Instagram, whose purpose was to do popular science about hypothyroidism's symptoms to promote early detection and prevention. This campaign took place from October to November 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign consisted of informative posts and engaged the audience via questionnaires through Instagram stories. Lastly, an online questionnaire was shared to assess the gained knowledge of the viewers and evaluate the campaign's efficacy. The social media awareness campaign showed to be a feasible way to educate the community, enabling efficient health promotion strategies through digital platforms.