Introduction & Objective: Obesity in adolescents is linked with adverse health outcomes. GLP1RAs have provided promising but conflicting results. We summarised the evidence for GLP1RAs in adolescents with obesity for weight-related outcomes.
Methods: We screened PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science till 2023/04/29 for eligible RCTs. We compared GLP1RAs vs placebo, and then individual GLP1RAs in a network meta-analysis. We used a random effects model to account for the clinical heterogeneity, used the clinically more interpretable prediction intervals (PI), and assessed study quality and evidence quality.
Results: We identified 12 RCTs mostly at a low risk of bias. GLP1RAs led to a greater weight reduction [-4.21 kg; 95% CI -7.08 to -1.35; 95% PI -14.44 to 6.01; 11 RCTs; 818 participants; high quality evidence]. There is also reduction in BMI and waist circumference. The results are consistent in subgroup analyses for coexisting T2D. There is greatest efficacy with Semaglutide followed by Exenatide, Liraglutide, and Lixisenatide [Figure].
Conclusion: GLP1RAs reduce weight-related outcomes in adolescents with Semaglutide being the most efficacious. RCTs with direct comparisons, pragmatic study design, longer follow-up (to generate or verify safety signals), and adiposity-related outcomes are needed to further guide the usage and choice of GLP1RAs.
M. Shamim: None. A. Rastogi: None. S. Singh: None. S. Chenchula: None. V. Ganesh: None. K. Tiwari: None. S. Varthya: None. P. Dwivedi: None. R. Shukla: None. P. Rao: None. P. Satapathy: None. A. Patil: None. U. Amin: None. T. Roy: None. A. Gandhi: None. R. Sah: None.
