The Effect of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists on Weight Loss in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Mixed Treatment Comparison Meta-Analysis.

Potts JE, Gray LJ, Brady EM, Khunti K, Davies MJ, Bodicoat DH

PloS one29 Jun 2015Cited by 126 (Europe PMC)

PMID26121478PMCIDPMC4487255DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0126769PepBankPUB-26121478

Summary

AimsTo determine the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists compared with placebo and other anti-diabetic agents on weight loss in overweight or obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.MethodsElectronic searches were conducted for randomised controlled trials that compared a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist therapy at a clinically relevant dose with a comparator treatment (other type 2 diabetes treatment or placebo) in adults with type 2 diabetes and a mean body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2. Pair-wise meta-analyses and mixed treatment comparisons were conducted to examine the difference in weight change at six months between the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and each comparator.ResultsIn the mixed treatment comparison (27 trials), the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists were the most successful in terms of weight loss; exenatide 2 mg/week: -1.62 kg (95% CrI: -2.95 kg, -0.30 kg), exenatide 20 μg: -1.37 kg (95% CI: -222 kg, -0.52 kg), liraglutide 1.2 mg: -1.01 kg (95%CrI: -2.41 kg, 0.38 kg) and liraglutide 1.8 mg: -1.51 kg (95% CI: -2.67 kg, -0.37 kg) compared with placebo. There were no differences between the GLP-1 receptor agonists in terms of weight loss.ConclusionsThis review provides evidence that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist therapies are associated with weight loss in overweight or obese patients with type 2 diabetes with no difference in weight loss seen between the different types of GLP-1 receptor agonists assessed.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide 1.2 mg gave a weight change versus placebo whose credible interval included zero.
In plain wordsIn overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide 1.2 mg gave no clear weight change compared with placebo.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
No significant changeWeight change at six months, liraglutide 1.2 mg
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1.2 mg · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Weight change vs placebo
−1.01 kg
liraglutide 1.2 mg
Source sentences
Summary
liraglutide 1.2 mg: -1.01 kg (95%CrI: -2.41 kg, 0.38 kg)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Pair-wise meta-analyses and mixed treatment comparisons were conducted to examine the difference in weight change at six months between the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and each comparator.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2612147801
02HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide 1.8 mg reduced weight at six months compared with placebo.
In plain wordsIn overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide 1.8 mg led to more weight loss than placebo.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseWeight change at six months, liraglutide 1.8 mg
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1.8 mg · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Weight change vs placebo
−1.51 kg
liraglutide 1.8 mg
Source sentences
Summary
liraglutide 1.8 mg: -1.51 kg (95% CI: -2.67 kg, -0.37 kg) compared with placebo.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Pair-wise meta-analyses and mixed treatment comparisons were conducted to examine the difference in weight change at six months between the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and each comparator.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2612147802

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Liraglutide.

03HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes, weight loss did not differ between the GLP-1 receptor agonists, including liraglutide.
In plain wordsIn overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes, weight loss was not clearly different between the GLP-1 drugs compared.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
No significant changeWeight loss difference between GLP-1 receptor agonists
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Other GLP-1 receptor agonists
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
There were no differences between the GLP-1 receptor agonists in terms of weight loss.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Pair-wise meta-analyses and mixed treatment comparisons were conducted to examine the difference in weight change at six months between the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and each comparator.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2612147803

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
9 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:05 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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