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Review
. 2024 Sep 13:24:100321.
doi: 10.1016/j.metop.2024.100321. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Effects of once-weekly subcutaneous retatrutide on weight and metabolic markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Affiliations
Review

Effects of once-weekly subcutaneous retatrutide on weight and metabolic markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Eric Pasqualotto et al. Metabol Open. .

Abstract

Aim: To assess the effects of once-weekly subcutaneous retatrutide on weight and metabolic markers and the occurrence of side effects in patients with overweight, obesity and/or type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were systematically searched for placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published up until February 23, 2024. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) for continuous outcomes and risk ratios (RRs) for binary endpoints were computed, with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: A total of three studies were included, comprising 640 patients, of whom 510 were prescribed retatrutide. Compared with placebo, retatrutide significantly reduced body weight (WMD -10.66 kg; 95 % CI -17.63, -3.69), body mass index (WMD -4.53 kg/m2; 95 % CI -7.51, -1.55), and waist circumference (WMD -6.61 cm; 95 % CI -13.17, -0.05). In addition, retatrutide significantly increased the proportion of patients who achieved a weight reduction of ≥5 % (RR 2.92; 95 % CI 2.17-3.93), ≥10 % (RR 9.32; 95 % CI 4.56-19.06), ≥15 % (RR 18.40; 95 % CI 6.00-56.42), and ≥20 % (RR 16.61; 95 % CI 4.17-66.12).

Conclusions: In this meta-analysis, the use of once-weekly subcutaneous retatrutide was associated with a significant reduction in body weight and improvement of metabolic markers in patients with overweight, obesity and/or T2D, compared with placebo, with an increase in non-severe gastrointestinal and hypersensitivity adverse events. Phase 3 RCTs are expected to shed further light on the efficacy and safety of once-weekly subcutaneous retatrutide over the long term.

Keywords: Body weight; Metabolism; Obesity; Retatrutide.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) flow diagram of study screening and selection.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plots of pooled comparisons between retatrutide and placebo. (A) Body weight (kg). (B) Body mass index (kg/m2). (C) Waist circumference (cm).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plots of pooled comparisons between retatrutide and placebo. (A) Weight reduction of ≥5 %. (B) Weight reduction of ≥10 %. (C) Weight reduction of ≥15 %. (D) Weight reduction of ≥20 %.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Forest plots of pooled comparisons between retatrutide and placebo. (A) Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (%). (B) Daily mean blood glucose (mmol/L). (C) Fasting glucose (mmol/L).

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