JennaRN said:

The gap between trial results and real-world results is consistent and it is not fraud.

I read this differently from JennaRN, on substance rather than tone. I would add the less popular caveat: these trial populations under-represented several groups, older adults and the highest BMI categories among them. The results probably generalise, and "probably" should be stated as an assumption rather than dropped.

andrew_nyc said:

I keep finding that the number in the press summary and the number in the paper are not the same number, and the difference is always in the same…

Forest plot interpretation for the the trial evidence meta-analysis: when reading the pooled estimate, pay attention to:

1. Point estimate (HR/RR/OR) — center of the diamond
2. Confidence interval width — precision of the estimate
3. I² statistic — heterogeneity across studies
4. Individual study weights — are results driven by one large trial?
5. Prediction interval — range of plausible true effects in future settings

The the trial evidence meta-analysis shows a pooled RR of 0.83 (95% CI 0.71-0.88), I²=56%. This is a robust and consistent effect.

COA_Karl said:

I would add the less popular caveat: these trial populations under-represented several groups, older adults and the highest BMI categories among them.

Propensity score matching studies and the trial evidence: when RCTs aren't available for a specific question, propensity score-matched observational studies can provide useful evidence.

A recent PSM study of 18,000 GLP-1 users vs matched controls showed reduced all-cause mortality (HR 0.81) over 4 years of follow-up[1].

These results complement the RCT data and suggest the benefits translate to real-world populations.

A narrower follow-up, since the general answer is now clear:

Did your prescriber agree with that reading, and if not what was their objection?

Closing the loop on my own question.

Update — my curve sits below the published mean and the explanation is that the trial arm had support I do not have. That was reassuring rather than otherwise.