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Safety and Efficacy of Liraglutide on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Cureus · 2023

Last updated 2026-05-28

A review of 13 clinical trials found that the diabetes drug liraglutide significantly reduced the risk of major heart-related events, heart attacks, heart-related deaths, and overall deaths compared to a control group. The drug did not show a clear difference in stroke risk in the main analysis, but a deeper review suggested a possible reduction. No major safety concerns were reported.

AI summary of the abstract below.

JournalCureus, 2023
Citations2
Relative citation ratio0.28
NIH percentile17
Molecules liraglutide
Conditions studied Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder, with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) significantly impacting the cardiovascular (CV) system. Our comprehensive study on the cardiovascular effects of liraglutide, conducted concurrently with the formulation of diabetes treatment guidelines, aims to provide healthcare providers and patients with reassurance regarding the safety and effectiveness of liraglutide. From the beginning until August 20, 2023, we conducted searches in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar. These searches aimed to identify studies comparing liraglutide to control in terms of symptom resolution among patients with T2DM. For all relevant outcomes, we calculated risk ratios along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Thirteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this analysis. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), myocardial infarction, CV mortality, and all-cause mortality. No significant difference was found between the liraglutide and control groups for the outcome of stroke. However, sensitivity analysis revealed a significant reduction in the risk of stroke among patients taking liraglutide. Our comprehensive meta-analysis strongly supports the use of liraglutide for managing cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to its established safety and effectiveness. Further RCTs and meta-analyses are needed to more thoroughly evaluate liraglutide's therapeutic potential, with the aim of enhancing the quality of life for those with CVD.

Verbatim abstract via PubMed 37854744 ↗

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