THE EFFECT OF HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN (HCG) IN THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY BY MEANS OF THE SIMEONS THERAPY - A CRITERIA-BASED METAANALYSIS

1 A meta-analysis was conducted to assess if there is scientific groun d for the use of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) as adjunctive ther apy in the treatment of obesity. 2 Published papers relating to eight uncontrolled and 16 controlled trials that measured the effect of HCG in the treatment of obesity were traced by computer-aided search and c itation tracking. 3 The trials were scored for the quality of the meth ods (based on four main categories: study population, interventions, m easurement of effect, and data presentation and analysis) and the main conclusion of author(s) with regard to weight-loss, fat-redistributio n, hunger, and feeling of well-being. 4 Methodological scores ranged f rom 16 to 73 points (maximum score 100), suggesting that most studies were of poor methodological quality. Of the 12 studies scoring 50 or m ore points, one reported that HCG was a useful adjunct. The studies sc oring 50 or more points were all controlled. 5 We conclude that there is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in the treatment of ob esity; it does not bring about weight-loss or fat-redistribution, nor does it reduce hunger or induce a feeling of well-being.