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. 2025 Apr 1;38(4):514-522.
doi: 10.1080/08998280.2025.2480512. eCollection 2025.

Evaluating the efficacy and safety of survodutide for obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abdelaziz A Awad  1 , Alaa Abdrabou Abouelmagd  2 , Fatma Mohammed  3 , Abdelrahman M Elettreby  4 , Mohamed Mahmoud Marey  5 , Mohamed A Aldemerdash  6 , Samar M Soliman  5 , Mohamed Mohamed Belal  5 , Hazem Abosheaishaa  7
Affiliations

Evaluating the efficacy and safety of survodutide for obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abdelaziz A Awad et al. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). .

Abstract

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists have established their efficacy and safety in the treatment of obesity. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of survodutide, a new GLP-1 agonist.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases until May 2024 for randomized controlled trials using survodutide obesity treatment. Continuous data were pooled as standardized mean difference (SMD), while dichotomous data were pooled as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals.

Results: There was a significant relative body weight reduction in the survodutide group (SMD: -1.5; 95% CI: -2.05 to -0.95; P < 0.00001). Overall adverse events in the four included studies weren't significantly different between the survodutide group and placebo group (RR: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.41; I 2 = 72%; P = 0.08). Survodutide was associated with a higher risk of developing diarrhea than the placebo group in the four included trials (RR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.2 to 2.97; I 2=0%; P < 0.00001).

Conclusion: Survodutide effectively reduced relative body weight, absolute body weight, and hemoglobin A1c (P < 0.00001). The incidence of adverse events was comparable between the two groups, while gastrointestinal adverse events were higher in the survodutide group.

Keywords: Meta-analysis; obesity; review; survodutide.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no funding or conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
PRISMA chart of the reported studies showing the search selection strategy and exclusion criteria.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
A forest plot showing the relative change in body weight from baseline (%).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
A forest plot showing the absolute change from baseline in body weight (kg).
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
A forest plot for all adverse events.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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