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

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;  < 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; = 72%;  = 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; =0%;  < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: Survodutide effectively reduced relative body weight, absolute body weight, and hemoglobin A1c ( < 0.00001). The incidence of adverse events was comparable between the two groups, while gastrointestinal adverse events were higher in the survodutide group.