Effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors on anthropometric indices and metabolic markers in overweight/obese individuals without diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Aims

To identify the impact of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on anthropometric indices and metabolic markers in individuals without diabetes who are overweight/obese.

Materials and methods

Clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors in overweight or obese adults were sought in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and EMBASE databases. The overall intervention effect was estimated using a random-effect meta-analysis. Jadad scale was used to assess the risk of bias. The heterogeneity of the studies was assessed using the Cochran's test (Q test) and I² Index. Analyses of meta-regression were carried out to identify possible sources of heterogeneity among the trials. The analyses were all conducted using Stata, and p < .05 was set as the statistically significant level.

Results

Of the five clinical trials that were included in the meta-analysis, five, four, three, and two clinical trials met the eligibility criteria for evaluating the efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors on the weight, waist circumference (WC) and blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and lipid and glucose profile, respectively. According to the results, SGLT2 inhibitors lowered BMI (WMD = −0.47 [95% CI: −0.63, −0.31]; p < .001), and WC (WMD = −3.25 [95% CI: −6.36, −0.14]; p = .04), but had no significant influence on blood pressure, lipid, and glucose profile of overweight/obese patients compared to the control groups.

Conclusion

The SGLT2 inhibitors appear to ameliorate some anthropometric and metabolic markers. There is, however, a limited number of studies, and further research is required for a firm conclusion.

Registration code in PROSPERO

CRD42022306415.

Keywords:

• Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors
• SGLT2 inhibitors
• anthropometric indices
• metabolic markers
• overweight
• obesity
• non-diabetic

Transparency

Declaration of funding

There was no financial support for this work.

Declaration of financial/other relationships

The authors report no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions

BA and MV contributed to the design of the study, conducted the searches, screening, quality appraisal, data extraction, analysis, synthesis, drafted, and edited the manuscript. AE conducted the data extraction. FH and ARA contributed to the design of the study, supported screening, and revised the manuscript. MV advised and revised the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript. MV has primary responsibility for the final content.

Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank Dr. Abidi Pharmaceuticals Company for providing study facilities.

Data availability statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.