This study investigated the effectiveness of liraglutide 3.0 mg daily in combination with a standardized multidisciplinary intervention on body weight and body composition changes in a real-life setting.
A prospective, observational cohort study design was used. Adult patients with BMI > 35 kg/m ² , or BMI > 28 kg/m ² with greater than or equal to one metabolic comorbidity, were included (n = 54, 65% women). Liraglutide treatment was covered by Swiss health insurance. Clinical and biological data were collected at baseline, 4 months, and 10 months. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at baseline and 10 months.
At 10 months, mean (SD) percentage weight loss (WL%) was -12.4% (5.5%) or -14.1 (6.6) kg. WL% was ≥5% in 87% of patients at 4 months and in 96% at 10 months. WL% was higher in women (-9.5% [3.1%] vs. men -7.2% [2.5%], p = 0.02) at 4 months and persisted at 10 months (-13.7% [5.2%] vs. -9.6% [5.1%], p = 0.006). WL% was associated with baseline percentage fat mass but not with age or BMI. Body composition showed a decrease in fat mass, visceral adipose tissue, and absolute lean mass.
In a real-world setting, liraglutide 3.0 mg led to beneficial changes in WL and body composition, with a greater impact in women.