Efficacy and safety of liraglutide in Indian adolescents with obesity

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of liraglutide in adolescents with obesity. Materials and methods: Patients (n = 41) received injection liraglutide for at least 12 weeks and their pre-baseline and post-baseline characteristics were recorded and analysed. The key parameters analysed were weight, height, body mass index (BMI), fasting insulin and sugar, 1 h insulin and glucose, 2 h insulin and glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol, triglycerides, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, thyroid stimulating hormone and bone. Results: There was a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in body weight, BMI, fasting, 1 h post-glucose tolerance and 2 h glucose tolerance. The changes from baseline to the end of study were for body weight − 6.5 ± 4.2 kg and BMI –2.35 ± 1.30 kg m−2. Systolic blood pressure decreased from 119.25 ± 12.50 to 114.53 ± 9.53 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure from 70.69 ± 14.52 to 70.82 ± 8.85 mmHg. Liver enzymes had improved from 34.36 ± 12.23 (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), 38.08 ± 21.02 (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) to 33.52 ± 11.23 (p = 0.03) and 33.99 ± 13.16 (p = 0.01), respectively. Cholesterol and triglyceride had improved from 152.46 ± 24.74 and 124.41 ± 33.27 to 151.71 ± 23.46 (p = 0.14) and 120.76 ± 26.22 (p = 0.009), respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, treatment with liraglutide in adolescents with obesity offers an efficacious and safe alternative to patients who are not responding to other available modalities.