Efficacy of pharmacotherapy for weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Obesity is closely related to type 2 diabetes mellitus, and weight reduction is an important part of the care delivered to obese persons with diabetes. The objective of this review was to assess the efficacy of pharmacotherapy for weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was performed, and studies were included if pharmacotherapy was used as the primary strategy for weight loss among adults with type 2 diabetes. Published and unpublished studies with any design were included. A random effects model was used to combine outcomes from randomized controlled trials.


RESULTS
Sufficient data for the meta-analysis were available for fluoxetine, orlistat, and sibutramine. Fourteen randomized, placebo-controlled trials were included in the review, with a total of 2231 patients. Pharmacotherapy produced modest reductions in weight for fluoxetine (3.4 kg [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7-5.2 kg] at 8-16 weeks of follow-up; 5.1 kg [95% CI, 3.3-6.9 kg] at 24-30 weeks; and 5.8 kg [ 95% CI, 0.8-10.8 kg] at 52 weeks); orlistat (2.6 kg [95% CI, 2.1-3.2 kg] [2.6% loss] at 52 weeks); and sibutramine (4.5 kg [95% CI, 1.8-7.2 kg] [3.3% loss] at up to 26 weeks). Glycated hemoglobin was also modestly reduced: fluoxetine (1.0% [95% CI, 0.4%-1.5%] at 8-16 weeks; 1.0% [95% 0.6%-1.4%] at 24-30 weeks; and 1.8% [95% CI, -0.2%-3.8%] at 52 weeks); orlistat (0.4% [95% CI, 0.3%-0.5%]); and sibutramine (0.7% [95% CI, -0.5%-1.9%]). Gastrointestinal adverse effects were common with orlistat; tremor, somnolence, and sweating with fluoxetine; and palpitations with sibutramine.


CONCLUSIONS
Fluoxetine, orlistat, and sibutramine can achieve statistically significant weight loss over 26 to 52 weeks. However, the magnitude of weight loss was modest, and the long-term health benefits and safety remain unclear. Interventions that combine pharmacologic therapy with intensive behavioral interventions may be more effective but need additional research.
Norris
Susan L
SL
Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. scn5@cdc.gov
Zhang
Xuanping
X
Avenell
Alison
A
Gregg
Edward
E
Schmid
Christopher H
CH
Kim
Curi
C
Lau
Joseph
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003503:Cyclobutanes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004358:Drug Therapy; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077403:Orlistat; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D001067:Appetite Depressants; D003503:Cyclobutanes; D005473:Fluoxetine; D007783:Lactones; D000077403:Orlistat; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; C058254:sibutramine