Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on glycemic control, and weight reduction in adults: A multivariate meta-analysis

PLoS One. 2023 Jan 25;18(1):e0278685. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278685. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Aims: To explore the effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RAs) on glycemic control and weight reduction in adults.

Methods: Databases were searched from August 2021 to March 2022. Data were analyzed using mean difference (MD) values with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Both random-and fixed-effect models were employed. Heterogeneity was explored using pre-specified subgroup analyses and meta-regression. Structural equation modeling fitting was used for the multivariate meta-analysis.

Results: A total of 31 double-blind randomized controlled trials with 22,948 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The MD and 95% CI of the pooled GLP1-RA-induced change in the glycated hemoglobin level was -0.78% (-0.97%, -0.60%) in the random-effects model and -0.45% (-0.47%, -0.44%) in the fixed-effect model, with a high heterogeneity (I2 = 97%). The pooled body weight reduction was -4.05 kg (-5.02 kg, -3.09 kg) in the random-effects model and -2.04 kg (-2.16 kg, -1.92 kg) in the fixed-effect model (I2 = 98%). The standardized pooled correlation coefficient between HbA1c levels and body weight was -0.42. A negative correlation between glycemic control and weight reduction was obtained.

Conclusion: Long-acting GLP-1 RAs significantly reduced the glycated hemoglobin level and body weight in adults.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Weight
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / agonists
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Glycemic Control
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Weight Loss

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.