Sex, race, and BMI in clinical trials of medications for obesity over the past three decades: a systematic review
Authors' conclusion
Most trials over-recruited White, female participants aged 40 years or older with class 1 (30.0-34.9 kg/m2) and class 2 (35.0-39.9 kg/m2) obesity; older participants, those with class 3 (≥40.0 kg/m2) obesity, non-White participants, and male participants were under-recruited.
Study context
- Population
- Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of 12 medications for obesity (orlistat, naltrexone-bupropion, topiramate-phentermine, liraglutide, semaglutide, lorcaserin, sibutramine, rimonabant, taranabant, tirzepatide, retatrutide, orforglipron) published Jan 20, 1999, to Nov 12, 2023; participants with or without T2D
- Participants
- 139,566 participants246 RCTs
- Outcome
- Baseline demographic characteristics (BMI, sex, age, race) of trial participants, and representativeness of the global population affected by obesity
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Representation in obesity medication RCTs
- Most trials over-recruited White, female participants aged ≥40 years with class 1 (30.0-34.9 kg/m²) and class 2 (35.0-39.9 kg/m²) obesity
- Older participants, those with class 3 (≥40.0 kg/m²) obesity, non-White and male participants were under-recruited
Original publication
Sex, race, and BMI in clinical trials of medications for obesity over the past three decades: a systematic review. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. Published 6 May 2024. doi:10.
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