Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global health issue, affecting millions and leading to significant healthcare costs. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have emerged as a potential treatment option. Still, their effects on body weight, body mass index (BMI), and body composition compared to other diabetes medications or placebos remain unclear. This systematic review investigates these effects in adults with T2DM. A comprehensive literature search was conducted from June 20, 2024, to July 5, 2024, across six databases and one register: PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), Europe PMC, ScienceDirect, ClinicalTrials.gov, and EBSCO Open Dissertation, yielding 2,425 records. Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 studies were selected for final analysis, encompassing a sample size of 37,619 participants, adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool for randomized controlled trials and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. Results indicate that SGLT2 inhibitors are significantly associated with reductions in body weight and BMI compared to other diabetes medications and placebo. These findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors improve glycemic control and facilitate effective weight management, underscoring their potential role in comprehensive diabetes care. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes and the integration of SGLT2 inhibitors into individualized treatment plans for patients with T2DM.
Keywords: body composition; body mass index; sglt2 inhibitors; type 2 diabetes mellitus; weight management.
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