Tan HC, Dampil OA, Marquez MM. Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide for Weight Loss in Obesity Without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J ASEAN Fed Endocr Soc. 2022;37(2):65-72. doi: 10.15605/jafes.037.02.14. Epub 2022 Aug 23. PMID: 36578889; PMCID: PMC9758543.
Highlights:
- A review and meta-analysis of the scientific literature, involving a total of 3,613 individuals with obesity without diabetes, split into a treatment group receiving Semaglutide and a placebo group
- The group that received Semaglutide showed a weight reduction of 11.85% over the placebo group.
- However, the Semaglutide group showed that gastrointestinal adverse events were more 1.59 times more likely compared to placebo.
Result:
The study included 4 randomized controlled trials having a total of 3,613 individuals with obesity without diabetes. The mean difference for weight reduction was -11.85%, favoring semaglutide [95% confidence interval (CI) (-12.81,-10.90), p<0.00001]. Secondary outcomes showed that the risk of developing gastrointestinal adverse events was 1.59 times more likely with semaglutide (RR 1.59, 95%CI [1.34, 1.88], p<0.00001). Risk for discontinuation due to adverse events was twice as likely in the semaglutide group (RR 2.19, 95%CI [1.36,3.55], p=0.001) and the risk for serious adverse events was 1.6 times more likely for semaglutide (RR1.60, 95%CI [1.24, 2.07], p=0.0003). Serious events were mostly of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders such as acute pancreatitis and cholelithiasis.
Conclusion:
Among individuals with obesity without type 2 diabetes, subcutaneous semaglutide is effective for weight loss with an 11.85% reduction from baseline compared to placebo. This supports the use of semaglutide for weight management in obesity. However, risk of gastrointestinal adverse events, discontinuation of treatment and serious adverse events were higher in the semaglutide group versus placebo.
