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The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the treatment of obesity
by means of the simeons therapy: a criteria-based meta-analysis.
Lijesen G K S, Theeuwen I, Assendelft W J J, Van der Wal G.
The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the treatment of obesity
by means of the simeons therapy: a criteria-based meta-analysis.
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology,
1995,
40(3),
pp. 237-243
Record status
This record is a structured abstract written by CRD reviewers. The original
has met a set of quality criteria.
Author's objective
To assess the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the treatment of
obesity by means of the Simeons therapy. Type of intervention
Treatment
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies investigating the effect of hCG in weight reduction. hCG (or CG) in
combination with restricted diet, daily group sessions, lectures on diet,
obesity and behaviour or weekly supporting interviews.
Participants included in the review
Obese subjects.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Weight-loss, fat-redistribution, hunger, feeling of well-being.
Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Controlled and uncontrolled studies. Data on the effectiveness of hCG
treatment given for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) only. Duration of
intervention ranged from 3-8 weeks, majority of studies having no follow-up.
What sources were searched to identify primary studies?
Medline 1966-1993 (keywords: gonadotropins, chorionic, hCG, obesity, diet,
reducing, caloric intake, appetite, Simeons) for articles written in English,
French, German or Dutch. Bibliographies of articles obtained were also
checked for further references.
Criteria on which the validity (or quality) of studies was assessed
The quality of the studies was assessed using a combination score based on
four main categories: study population, interventions, measurement of effect,
and data presentation and analysis (maximum score = 100).
How were the judgements of validity (or quality) made?
Two non-blinded assessors scored all the studies independently, then compared
and discussed their scores. Where agreement could not be reached a third
investigator was approached.
How were decisions on the relevence of primary studies made?
Not stated.
How was the data extracted from primary studies?
Not stated.
Number of studies included
24 studies: 14 RCTs (n = 605), 10 non-RCTs.
How were the studies combined?
No pooling of results was carried out as the authors felt the study
populations and outcome measures were too heterogeneous and because the
methodological quality of the studies identified was too low.
How were differences between studies investigated?
Studies were separated randomised and non-randomised and listed according to
validity score.
Results of the review
Of the 14 RCTs, 12 had a methodological score > 50 (n = 556), 2 with a score <
50 (n = 49).
12 of the RCTs reported that weight-loss with the use of hCG was no greater
than with the use of a placebo or with the use of diet alone.
All of the 8 trials reporting fat distribution as an outcome had negative
results.
10 trials reported on hunger and 8 on a feeling of well being, only one trial
in each case having a positive result.
Was any cost information reported?
No
Author's conclusions
There is no scientific evidence that hCG causes weight-loss, a redistribution
of fat, staves off hunger or induces a feeling of well-being. Therefore, the
use of hCG should be regarded as an inappropriate therapy for weight
reduction.
CRD commentary
Thorough literature search and methodologically rigorous systematic review.
No data given on the level or duration of obesity.
Subject index terms
Subject Indexing from the National Library of medicine:
Gonadotropins,-Chorionic/tu [Therapeutic Use]; Obesity/dt [Drug Therapy];
Body-Weight/de [Drug Effects]; Drug-Therapy; Fats-; Follow-Up- Studies;
Randomized-Controlled-Trials; Statistics-; Treatment- Outcome; Human
Correspondence address
Prof. G Van der Wal, Medical Inspectorate of Health for North-Holland, POB
3125, 2001 DC Haarlem, The Netherlands.
Copyright
University of York, 1998
Database no.: DARE-952683
