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Study · Systematic review · n = 4,022 · 2026

6 results

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Tirzepatide in Asian and Non-Asian Adults With Obesity Without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Kamrul-Hasan ABM, Khalil I, Dutta D, Mahajan K, Nagendra L, Pappachan JM

Endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism1 Jul 2026

PMID42487213 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13392206 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1002/edm2.70291 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-42487213
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Summary

IntroductionTirzepatide, a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, produces substantial weight loss in adults with obesity. Given ethnic differences in obesity phenotype and cardiometabolic risk, this systematic review and meta-analysis compared tirzepatide's efficacy and safety between Asian and non-Asian adults without diabetes.MethodsThis PROSPERO-registered review (CRD420261361351) searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov through 15 March 2026. Phase 3 SURMOUNT randomised, placebo-controlled trials were classified as Asian (100% Asian participants) or predominantly non-Asian (< 25% Asian participants). The primary outcome was the percentage change in body weight. Secondary outcomes included absolute weight change, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, weight loss thresholds (≥ 5%, ≥ 10%, ≥ 15%) and adverse events. Random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regression were performed.ResultsFive trials (six comparisons; N = 4022) were included: two Asian (SURMOUNT-CN, SURMOUNT-J; n = 148 tirzepatide-treated) and four predominantly non-Asian. Tirzepatide 15 mg/maximum tolerated dose produced an 18.04% greater reduction in body weight versus placebo (95% CI -19.86 to -16.22; p 2 = 77%). Percentage weight loss appeared comparable between Asian (-18.16%) and non-Asian (-17.92%) trials (p = 0.94), but this underpowered comparison cannot confirm equivalence. Absolute weight loss was greater in non-Asians (-23.46 vs. -16.72 kg; p = 0.03), largely reflecting higher baseline weight. Safety profiles were similar, with no statistically significant interactions by ethnic subgroup.ConclusionsTirzepatide provides clinically meaningful weight reduction, with broadly similar relative percentage efficacy across Asian and non-Asian trial populations. These exploratory, indirect findings do not establish ethnic equivalence and require confirmation in adequately powered, ethnicity-stratified trials.RegistrationThe meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO under the registration number CRD420261361351. The review protocol summary is available on the PROSPERO website.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study6

6 results from studies that gave the peptide. 6 results from people.

  1. 01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In adults with obesity without diabetes, tirzepatide 15 mg or maximum tolerated dose reduced body weight by a pooled 18.04% more than placebo.

    In plain wordsIn adults with obesity without diabetes, the top tirzepatide dose cut body weight much more than placebo.

    Peptide
    Tirzepatide
    Outcome
    DecreasePercentage change in body weight versus placebo
    Study

    n = 4,022

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Analysis
    Primary
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    15 mg or maximum tolerated doseAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Body weight reduction versus placebo
    18.04%
    tirzepatide 15 mg/MTD

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tirzepatide 15 mg/maximum tolerated dose produced an 18.04% greater reduction in body weight versus placebo (95% CI -19.86 to -16.22; p 2 = 77%).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Phase 3 SURMOUNT randomised, placebo-controlled trials were classified as Asian (100% Asian participants) or predominantly non-Asian (< 25% Asian participants).
    Summary · context
    Five trials (six comparisons; N = 4022) were included: two Asian (SURMOUNT-CN, SURMOUNT-J; n = 148 tirzepatide-treated) and four predominantly non-Asian.
  2. 02HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In Asian adults with obesity without diabetes, tirzepatide produced a pooled percentage weight loss of 18.16%.

    In plain wordsIn Asian adults with obesity without diabetes, tirzepatide led to a large average weight loss in trials.

    Peptide
    Tirzepatide
    Outcome
    DecreasePercentage weight loss in Asian trials
    Study

    n = 148

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    Percentage weight loss
    −18.16%
    Asian trials

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Percentage weight loss appeared comparable between Asian (-18.16%) and non-Asian (-17.92%) trials (p = 0.94), but this underpowered comparison cannot confirm equivalence.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Phase 3 SURMOUNT randomised, placebo-controlled trials were classified as Asian (100% Asian participants) or predominantly non-Asian (< 25% Asian participants).
    Summary · context
    Five trials (six comparisons; N = 4022) were included: two Asian (SURMOUNT-CN, SURMOUNT-J; n = 148 tirzepatide-treated) and four predominantly non-Asian.
  3. 03HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In predominantly non-Asian adults with obesity without diabetes, tirzepatide produced a pooled percentage weight loss of 17.92%.

    In plain wordsIn mostly non-Asian adults with obesity without diabetes, tirzepatide led to a large average weight loss in trials.

    Peptide
    Tirzepatide
    Outcome
    DecreasePercentage weight loss in non-Asian trials
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    Percentage weight loss
    −17.92%
    non-Asian trials

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Percentage weight loss appeared comparable between Asian (-18.16%) and non-Asian (-17.92%) trials (p = 0.94), but this underpowered comparison cannot confirm equivalence.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Phase 3 SURMOUNT randomised, placebo-controlled trials were classified as Asian (100% Asian participants) or predominantly non-Asian (< 25% Asian participants).
    Summary · context
    Five trials (six comparisons; N = 4022) were included: two Asian (SURMOUNT-CN, SURMOUNT-J; n = 148 tirzepatide-treated) and four predominantly non-Asian.
  4. 04HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    Percentage weight loss with tirzepatide appeared comparable between Asian and non-Asian trials, but the comparison is underpowered and cannot confirm equivalence.

    In plain wordsWeight loss with tirzepatide looked similar in Asian and non-Asian trials, but the comparison was too small to prove they are equal.

    Peptide
    Tirzepatide
    Outcome
    No significant changePercentage weight loss, Asian versus non-Asian
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Non-Asian trials
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    p value, Asian versus non-Asian
    0.94
    percentage weight loss

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Percentage weight loss appeared comparable between Asian (-18.16%) and non-Asian (-17.92%) trials (p = 0.94), but this underpowered comparison cannot confirm equivalence.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Phase 3 SURMOUNT randomised, placebo-controlled trials were classified as Asian (100% Asian participants) or predominantly non-Asian (< 25% Asian participants).
    Summary · context
    Five trials (six comparisons; N = 4022) were included: two Asian (SURMOUNT-CN, SURMOUNT-J; n = 148 tirzepatide-treated) and four predominantly non-Asian.
  5. 05HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    Absolute weight loss with tirzepatide was greater in non-Asian than in Asian trials, largely reflecting higher baseline weight.

    In plain wordsTirzepatide caused more weight loss in kilograms in non-Asian trials, largely because those people weighed more at the start.

    Peptide
    Tirzepatide
    Outcome
    DecreaseAbsolute weight loss, Asian versus non-Asian
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Asian trials
    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    Absolute weight loss
    −23.46 kg
    non-Asian
    Absolute weight loss
    −16.72 kg
    Asian

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Absolute weight loss was greater in non-Asians (-23.46 vs. -16.72 kg; p = 0.03), largely reflecting higher baseline weight.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Phase 3 SURMOUNT randomised, placebo-controlled trials were classified as Asian (100% Asian participants) or predominantly non-Asian (< 25% Asian participants).
    Summary · context
    Five trials (six comparisons; N = 4022) were included: two Asian (SURMOUNT-CN, SURMOUNT-J; n = 148 tirzepatide-treated) and four predominantly non-Asian.
  6. 06HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    Safety profiles of tirzepatide were similar, with no statistically significant interactions by ethnic subgroup.

    In plain wordsSide effects of tirzepatide looked similar in Asian and non-Asian trials.

    Peptide
    Tirzepatide
    Outcome
    No significant changeSafety by ethnic subgroup
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Safety profiles were similar, with no statistically significant interactions by ethnic subgroup.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Phase 3 SURMOUNT randomised, placebo-controlled trials were classified as Asian (100% Asian participants) or predominantly non-Asian (< 25% Asian participants).
    Summary · context
    Five trials (six comparisons; N = 4022) were included: two Asian (SURMOUNT-CN, SURMOUNT-J; n = 148 tirzepatide-treated) and four predominantly non-Asian.

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.

  1. Version 2Current

    12 Oct 2026, 12:10 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 03:07 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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