Cardiometabolic outcomes in patients with overweight and obesity undergoing weight loss trials : a network meta-analysis
Authors: Tan B , Pan X H , Chin Y H , Cheng C Z L , Kong G , Chong B , Kueh M , Chin M K , Mehta A , Majety P , Grandhi G R , Dimitriadis G K , Foo R , Chew N W S , Roux C W L 
Published: October 2024

Objective

Cardiometabolic outcomes are intrinsically linked with obesity. According to a study by Jayedi A et al. a 5kg weight gain could increase CVD mortality and MI risk by 11% and 18% respectively, with most overweight and obese patient also suffering from cardiometabolic derangements. This network meta-analysis evaluates cardiometabolic effects bought about by glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) and other weight loss drugs in an overweight and obese population.

Methods

Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase and Medline were searched for randomised clinical trials (RCTs) on GLP-1 RA and United States Food and Drug administration weight loss drugs. A network meta-analysis was performed, using risk ratios(RR) to compare the efficacy of the interventions against one another. Network diagrams and surface under the cumulative ranking curve analysis were generated for the following cardiometabolic outcomes ( LDL, HDL, TC, TG, HbA1c, FPG, SBP and DBP).

Results

Among the cardiometabolic outcomes analysed, the GLP-1RA’s consistently ranked on top, with tirzepatide followed by semaglutide and then liraglutide. In terms of glycaemic control, tirzepatide 15, 10 and 5mg ranked first in a dose dependent manner(SUCRA = 0.8480, 0.8410, 0.6725) followed by semaglutide1.7mg(SUCRA= 0.6232). Tirzepatide 15mg did not achieve statistical significance compared to semaglutide 1.0mg (MD: -0.77, 95%CI: -2.04 to 0.50) or liraglutide1.8mg (MD: -0.64, 95%CI: -1.68 to 0.41). In reducing blood pressure, tirzepatide exhibiting a dose dependent reduction with Tirzepatide 15mg, (SUCRA =0.9457),10mg(SUCRA=0.9069)and 5mg(SUCRA=0.8419) followed by semaglutide 1.7mg (SUCRA =0.7415) then liraglutide 1.8mg(SUCRA = 0.5521).Tirzepatide 15mg demonstrated statistical significance compared to semaglutide 1.0mg (MD: -3.53, 95%CI: -6.78 to -0.27) and liraglutide 3.0mg (MD: -3.47, 95%CI: -5.59 to -1.36). The GLP-1RA’s also exhibited superiority in lipid reduction for TC and TG, with tirzepatide reducing TC (SUCRA = 0.7867) and TG(SUCRA = 0.9843) followed by semaglutide 1.7 mg (SUCRA = 0.7796) for TC and tirzepatide 10 mg (SUCRA = 0.9018) for TG. Orlistat 120mg(SUCRA =0.8789) and 60mg(SUCRA= 0.8458) were superior in reducing LDL, with tirzepatide 15mg(SUCRA =0.7806) and then semaglutide 2.4mg(SUCRA=0.7260) coming in behind. Naltrexone 32mg/Bupropion 360mg(SUCRA = 0.8757) ranked first followed by tirzepatide(SUCRA=0.8593) in increasing HDL, however the increase was not statistically significant (MD: 0.00, 95%CI: -0.04 to 0.05).

Conclusion

GLP-1 RAs’ superiority in addressing cardiometabolic parameters that are often deranged in patients with overweight and obesity highlights the need for weight lost medication transitioning from one that decreases and suppresses appetite or prevent the absorption of lipids to one that targets the altered metabolic mileu of patients with overweight and obesity, highlighting the multipronged approach needed to treat this metabolic disease.