Volume 30, Issue 168, February 2026

The efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors) in the treatment of obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) - A literature review

Julia Brodziak^1♦, Marta Kowalska¹, Anna Mazur¹, Katarzyna Fojcik¹, Wiktoria Ciszewska¹, Zofia Kosztyła-Czech¹, Michał Dworak¹, Tomasz Wiśniewski¹, Mateusz Matyja²

¹Medical University of Silesia, Poniatowskiego 15, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
²Specialist Voivodeship Hospital of Saint Barbara No. 5 in Sosnowiec - Trauma Center, Plac Medyków 1, 41-214 Sosnowiec, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Julia Brodziak, Medical University of Silesia, Poniatowskiego 15, 40-055 Katowice, Poland

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity are closely connected conditions. Therefore, the therapeutic approach should focus on treating both of them equally. In this review, we aimed to summarise the latest research on the efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and sodiumglucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors) in the treatment of obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A study search was conducted from January 2020 to October 2025 across the PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases using the following keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, weight control, GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors. The primary outcome of interest was whether these agents were effective in the obesity therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Results: Ultimately, 5 articles met the inclusion criteria in the final review of 1176 found in databases. Conclusions: This systematic review suggests that adding medications, both GLP-1 agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors, is integral to the management of overweight or obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, weight control, GLP-1RAs, S GLT2 inhibitors

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e41ms3772

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v30i168.e41ms3772

Published: 23 February 2026