A large meta-analysis found GLP-1 receptor agonists produce consistent weight loss regardless of patient age, sex, race/ethnicity, starting BMI, or baseline HbA1c.
Consistent across all subgroupsNo significant heterogeneity of treatment effects by age, sex, race, BMI, or HbA1c
What the researchers found
GLP-1 receptor agonists showed consistent weight loss efficacy across patient subgroups defined by age, sex, race/ethnicity, baseline BMI, and baseline HbA1c.
Why it matters
Confirming that GLP-1 RAs work consistently across diverse populations means clinicians can prescribe them confidently without worrying about reduced efficacy in certain patient groups.
How the study worked
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials from MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane, analyzing heterogeneity of treatment effects across patient subgroups.
What this study cannot tell us
Subgroup analyses from trials may have limited power to detect small differences; real-world populations may differ from clinical trial participants.
How to read the evidence
Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs — the highest level of evidence synthesis, though limited by the quality and diversity of included trials.
When this study was published
Published 2026 in JAMA Internal Medicine. Reflects the latest available trial data.
The bigger picture
As GLP-1 RAs become first-line obesity treatments, confirming equitable efficacy across demographics is essential for health equity and broad clinical adoption.
Questions still open
- Do these consistent effects hold in longer-term real-world use beyond trial durations?
- Are there genetic or metabolic factors not captured by demographics that predict differential response?
Common questions
Do GLP-1 drugs work better for some people than others?
Which GLP-1 drugs were included in this analysis?
Read the original research
Heterogeneity of Treatment Effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
JAMA internal medicine
Citation
Alexander, G Caleb; Xiao, Xuya; Dilek, Sophie; Lewis, Sydney; Deng, Qilin; Kim, Minji; Bolanle, Dami; Saldanha, Ian J; Mehta, Hemalkumar B. (2026). Heterogeneity of Treatment Effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. JAMA internal medicine. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.8222