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Pharmacological management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Gagnon CA, Buchanan K, Deaver JM, Schmitt JA, Lahart IM, Shetty S, Ashraf AP, Pappachan JM

World journal of diabetes, 2025

1,658 participants · 1 citation

Abstract

Background: The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in children and adolescents is increasing, yet there is limited information on the available pharmacological interventions to combat T2DM and prevent associated comorbidities.

Aim: To assess the effectiveness of current pharmacological treatments in managing T2DM in children and adolescents. The protocol of the study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022382165).

Methods: Searches were performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov for publications between 1990 to September 2024 without language restrictions. Randomized control trials (RCTs) of pharmacotherapy in children and adolescents with T2DM (aged via RStudio, 'meta' and 'netmeta'.

Results: A total of 12 studies having low to moderate risk of bias with 1658 participants, and follow-up duration 12-52 weeks were included. In our network meta-analysis, compared to control(s), the reduction of HbA1c was significantly larger for dulaglutide [mean difference (MD), 95% confidence interval: -1.20, -2.12 to -0.28], followed by dapagliflozin (-0.94, -1.44 to -0.44), liraglutide (-0.91, -1.37 to -0.45), empagliflozin (-0.87, -1.40 to -0.34), exenatide (-0.59, -1.07 to -0.11) and linagliptin (-0.45, -0.87 to -0.02) while other drugs had little or no effect. While liraglutide was associated with a change in body weight [MD -2.41 (-4.68, -0.14) kg], no other drug treatment was associated with significant changes in body weight, BMI, and lipids. Apart from level…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,658 participants or records.

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