Efficacy and safety of liraglutide on C-reactive protein (CRP) in adults with type 2 diabetes: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of controlled trials

Background

Liraglutide (LRG) is an analog of glucagon-like-peptide-1 which has beneficial effects on controlling glycemic in diabetes patients. However, the effect of liraglutide on the C-reactive protein (CRP) was controversial in different studies. So, this study aimed to investigate the effect of LRG on CRP in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods

Through March 2024, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus electronic databases were searched for pertinent studies. Calculation of 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) and mean differences was done using random effects model. Standard methods assessed dose-response, meta-regression, sensitivity, and publication bias. GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) was used to calculate evidence certainty.

Results

Finally, after reviewing 9 eligible studies with 10 arms including 1494 participants, a significant decrease in CRP levels was observed after treatment with LRG (WMD = −0.692 mg/L, 95 % CI: −1.01, −0.37, P<0.001). According to the results of the subgroup, LRG had greater effects in obese patients (Body mass index ≥30), high-quality studies, dosages >1.6 mg/d and durations ≥24 weeks. Linear (P<0.001) and non-linear (P _{dose-response} =0.009) dose-response associations were observed between LRG dosages and CRP levels. According to the GRADE, evidence for CRP was high.

Conclusions

LRG had beneficial effects on CRP levels in adults with T2DM, especially in obese patients.