%0 Journal Article
%T Liraglutide for the Treatment of Weight Regain After Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
%A de Moraes FCA
%A Morbach V
%A Sano VKT
%A Fernandes LR
%A Kreuz M
%A Kelly FA
%J Obes Surg
%V 34
%N 8
%D 2024 Aug 10
%M 38987454
%F 3.479
%R 10.1007/s11695-024-07384-1
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>The efficacy of liraglutide for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity is well established, but their role in the treatment of weight regain after bariatric surgery remains unclear.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases in January 2024. A random-effects model was employed to compute mean differences (MD) and events per 100 observations with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for continuous and binary endpoints. Statistical analysis was performed using R software.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>A total of 16 studies were included and 881 individuals. Patients were mostly female (50%), aged 36 to 55 years, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 39.4 kg/m2, and had BS surgery 5 years prior. Over a mean follow-up time ranging from 3 months to 4 years, it was observed a statistically significant reduction in BMI (MD - 8.56 kg/m2; 95% CI 3.34 to 13.79; p < 0.01) and a mean reduction in total weight (MD - 16.03 kg; 95% CI 0.03 to 32.02; p = 0.05) after liraglutide use. Additionally, 65% of patients undertaking liraglutide showed total body weight loss (BWL) above 5% (65.8 events per 100 observations; 95% CI 54.96 to 75.20; p < 0.01), while 26% lost more than 10% of total BWL (26.77 events per 100 observations; 95% CI 19.17 to 36.02; p < 0.01). A limitation is a variability between the studies.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Our findings support the use of liraglutide for weight management in patients who experience weight regain after BS. Liraglutide is well tolerated and promotes significant weight loss, providing clinicians with a therapeutic option for this clinical challenge.