Study summary · research use only
Efficacy and safety of survodutide on glycemic control and weight loss in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This systematic review and meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials (1272 participants) examined survodutide's association with glycemic control and weight change in adults, searching several databases through 12 July 2025. Compared with placebo, survodutide was associated with reductions in HbA1c (weighted mean difference -0.66%) and fasting glucagon (-7 pmol/L), with larger reductions at weekly doses above 2.4 mg. Body weight fell by a weighted mean of -6.7 kg and waist circumference by -7.09 cm, with greater changes at higher doses and treatment beyond 16 weeks. BMI also decreased, and modest reductions in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure were noted. Survodutide was associated with more treatment discontinuation from adverse events, mostly gastrointestinal, though serious adverse events did not significantly increase. The authors call for further large, long-term trials.
Abstract
This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of survodutide on glycemic control and weight loss in adults. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy and safety of survodutide up to 12 July 2025. The primary outcomes were changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting glucagon levels, body weight, waist circumference, along with the incidence of adverse events (AEs). Secondary outcomes included body mass index (BMI), lipid profiles, and blood pressure. Six RCTs involving 1272 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with placebo, survodutide significantly reduced HbA1c (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -0.66%, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-1.08, -0.23], p = 0.002) and fasting glucagon levels (WMD: -7 pmol/L, 95% CI [-10.3, -3.69], p = 0.016). Greater reductions were observed in the subgroup receiving a total weekly dose of >2.4 mg compared with the subgroup receiving ≤2.4 mg weekly. Survodutide also significantly decreased body weight (WMD: -6.7 kg, 95% CI [-10.0, -3.4], p < 0.001) and waist circumference (WMD: -7.09 cm, 95% CI [-9.44, -4.47], p < 0.001), with enhanced effects observed at higher total weekly doses (>2.4 mg) and longer treatment durations (>16 weeks). Additionally, significant reductions were observed in BMI, and modest reductions were noted in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. However, survodutide was associated with a higher risk of treatment discontinuation due to AEs, with gastrointestinal AEs being the most common, although there was no significant increase in the incidence of serious AEs. Survodutide significantly reduced HbA1c, body weight, and waist circumference. A greater reduction in HbA1c was specifically associated with a higher total weekly dose (>2.4 mg), while more pronounced effects on body weight and waist circumference were observed with both higher doses and longer treatment durations (>16 weeks). However, it is crucial to highlight the significant increase in gastrointestinal AEs and the associated risk of treatment discontinuation. Further large-scale, multicentre, long-term, and high-quality RCTs are necessary to validate these results in diverse populations.
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