Figure 2. Differences in Mean Weight Loss Between Intervention and Control Groups for Pharmacotherapy Interventions

Study, Year, Intervention	Control	Internal Validity	Timing of Measure- ment
Wirth and Krause 2001⁸⁸ Sibutramine 15 mg QD (continuous) Sibutramine 15 mg QD (intermittent)	Usual care	Good	11 mo
Dujovne et al, 2001⁸⁵ Sibutramine 20 mg QD, D	D	Fair	6 mo
Fujioka et al, 2000⁸⁶ Sibutramine 20 mg QD, D*	D	Fair	6 mo
Gokcel et al, 2001³² D Sibutramine 10 mg BID, D	D	Fair	6 mo
Smith et al, 2001⁸⁷ Sibutramine 15 mg QD, D Sibutramine 10 mg QD, D	D	Fair	12 mo
McNulty et al, 2003³³ Sibutramine 20 mg QD, D Sibutramine 15 mg QD, D	D	Fair	12 mo
Muls et al, 2001⁹¹ Orlistat 120 mg TID, D	D	Good	6 mo
Van Gaal et al, 1998⁸⁹ Orlistat 240 mg TID, D* Orlistat 120 mg TID, D* Orlistat 60 mg TID, D* Orlistat 30 mg TID, D	D	Fair	12 mo
Micic et al, 1999⁹⁴ Orlistat 120 mg TID, D*	D	Fair	6 mo
Rissanen et al, 2001⁹⁵ Orlistat 120 mg TID, D	D	Fair	12 mo
Broom et al, 2002⁹⁶ Orlistat 120 mg TID, D	D	Fair	12.5 mo
Miles et al, 2002⁹⁰ Orlistat 120 mg TID, D, E	D, E	Fair	6 mo
Karhunen et al, 2000⁹³ Orlistat 120 mg TID, D*	D	Fair	12 mo
Knowler et al, 2002⁸¹ Metformin 950 mg BID, D, E*	D, E	Good	34 mo
Statistically significant (P < 0.05) but with insufficient data to calculate 95% confidence intervals. Notes:* Data points (diamonds, circles, and squares) represent mean weight change in intervention group (kg) - mean weight change in placebo group (kg). Only studies for which the difference in mean weight loss could be calculated are included; each arm is represented by a data point. Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals and are presented for studies in which those data are available. Intensity of co-interventions is not assessed as most trials provided insufficient information for evaluation. B = behavioral therapy; BID = twice daily; D = diet; E = exercise; QD = daily; TID = 3 times daily.

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