GLP-1 analogues in therapy of obese adolescents. Early real-life experience with liraglutide treatment
Abstract
The GLP-1 analog liraglutide is registered for pharmacotherapy of obese adolescents aged 12-17 years since 2021. According to clinical studies, liraglutide administration leads to a mean weight loss 4.6%.
We summarize early real-life experience with this novel therapy. Nine boys were treated with liraglutide under the supervision of out-patient clinic for obesity of Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Motol between September 2021 and January 2023.
At treatment onset, they were 12.0-16.5 years old (median 15), and had body weight 74-188 Kg (median 123) and BMI 30.7-65.9 Kg/m2 (median 38.6). Therapy was initiated following failure of conventional treatment including psychological intervention.
After the early-phase dose escala-tion, the long-term daily treatment dose stabilized at 1.8-3.0 mg (median 2.4). Therapy was accompanied by nutritional and behavioral intervention.
Following 4-15 months on therapy (median 6), BMI declined to 31.5-61.6 Kg/m2 (median 35.6; p<0.05 vs. treatment onset). BMI dropped by 6.5% (median; range -12.7 to +3.0%; p<0.05).
Therapy was terminat-ed in two boys due to questionable success, and is ongoing in all others. Treatment related adverse events were minimal.
Liraglutide may contribute to stabilization or reduction of body weight and BMI in a significant proportion of severely obese adolescents.