BACKGROUND
There is no curative treatment for childhood obesity.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to synthesize published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evidence on the efficacy of exenatide in obese children and adolescents.
METHODS
We searched and investigated all relevant studies in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Inclusion criteria were RCTs of exenatide for the treatment of obesity in children and adolescents. Primary outcomes were body weight, body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or HbA1c change. Secondary outcomes were the occurrence of adverse events, especially hypoglycemia. The Cochrane bias assessment tool was used to assess the risk of bias in RCTs.
RESULTS
Five studies met the inclusion criteria. In total,100children were allocated to exenatide therapy. Compared with controls, exenatide therapy reduced body weight and BMI by −0.6%(95% CI −0.93,-0.27），−1.11%(95% CI −1.91,-0.31）， respectively. Adverse effects include gastrointestinal symptoms, the majority of these cases were mild in severity.
CONCLUSIONS
Exenatide is effective in treating obesity in children and adolescents.
CLINICALTRIAL
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023413706.