Safety and efficacy of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists in patients with weight regain or insufficient weight loss after metabolic bariatric surgery: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Summary Introduction Weight regain and insufficient weight loss are major challenges after metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS), affecting patients' comorbidities and quality of life. The current systematic review and meta‐analysis aim to assess the efficacy and safety of GLP‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RA) in patients with weight regain or insufficient weight loss after MBS. Methods A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to find the relevant studies. Results A total of 19 articles were included. The highest doses of liraglutide and semaglutide were 3 mg per day and 1 mg once weekly, respectively, in the included studies. The mean differences in weight and body mass index after treatment were −7.02 kg or 3.07 kg/m 2 , −8.65 or −5.22 kg/m 2 , and −6.99 kg or −3.09 kg/m 2 for treatment durations of ≤ 6 months, 6–12 months, and >12 months with liraglutide, respectively. Additionally, weekly semaglutide showed significantly greater weight loss compared to daily liraglutide, with a mean difference of 4.15 kg. Common complications included nausea (19.1%), constipation (8.6%), abdominal pain (3.7%), and vomiting (2.4%). Conclusion Using GLP‐1 RA is a safe and effective treatment for weight regain and insufficient weight loss after MBS.