Baseline body mass index and the efficacy of hypoglycemic treatment in type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the effects of hypoglycemic treatments in groups of patients categorized according to the mean baseline body mass indexes (BMIs). Methods: Studies were identified by a literature search and all the studies were double blind, placebocontrolled randomized trials in type 2 diabetes patients; study length of ≥12 weeks with the efficacy evaluated by changes in HbA1c from baseline in groups. The electronic search was first conducted in January 2015 and repeated in June 2015. Results: 227 studies were included. Treatment with sulfonylureas was compared with placebo in overweight patients and resulted in a significantly greater change in the HbA1c levels (weighted mean difference (WMD), -1.39%) compared to obese patients (WMD, -0.77%)(p<0.05). Treatment with metformin in overweight patients resulted in a comparable change in the HbA1c levels (WMD, -0.99%) compared to obese patients (WMD, -1.06%)(p>0.05). Treatment with alpha glucosidase inhibitors in normal weight patients was associated with a HbA1c change (WMD, -0.94%) that was comparable that in overweight (WMD, -0.72%) and obese patients (WMD, -0.56%)(p>0.05). Treatment with thiazolidinediones in normal weight patients was associated with a HbA1c change (WMD, -1.04%) that was comparable with that in overweight (WMD, -1.02%) and obese patients (WMD, -0.88%)(p>0.05). Treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors in normal weight patients was associated with a HbA1c change (WMD, -0.93%) that was comparable with that in overweight (WMD, -0.66%) and obese patients (WMD, -0.61%)(p>0.05). In total, of the seven hypoglycemic agents, regression analysis indicated that the mean baseline BMI was not associated with the mean HbA1c changes from baseline. Conclusion: In each kind of hypoglycemic therapy in type 2 diabetes, the baseline BMI was not associated with the efficacy of HbA1c changes from baseline.