A single-center study on the biochemical effect and clinical effectiveness of liraglutide in Turkish patients

The approval of liraglutide as a treatment option for obesity is a significant development in addressing the major health concerns of diabetes and obesity in recent years. Considering the duration of liraglutide use, pancreatic and hepatic enzymes, weight loss, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), discontinuation rationales, and adverse events were studied.

From September 2019 to October 2022, 201 participants (125 females and 76 males) aged 18 to 75 were recruited from a single medical facility. The inclusion criteria were a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 27 with comorbidities or a BMI of ≥ 30. A retrospective analysis evaluated demographic profiles and clinical/biological data collected at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of continuous liraglutide usage.

The study participants experienced weight loss of > 5% at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months compared to baseline. The baseline HOMA-IR values were significantly higher than those at months 3, 6, 9, and 12 (p = 0.0001). Participants who adhered to the drug regimen for 6 months showed a statistically significant increase in lipase levels compared to baseline, followed by a decline at 9 and 12 months. Amylase levels steadily increased until month 9 and then declined. Liver enzymes, particularly alanine aminotransferase (ALT), consistently decreased in patients on liraglutide treatment over the 12-month period. 41.29% had no adverse events, while 58.71% experienced adverse events, with nausea being the most prevalent (20%).

Liraglutide showed significant weight loss and improved liver enzyme levels. It did not cause a clinically significant increase in pancreatic enzyme levels. However, monitoring pancreatic enzyme levels during liraglutide treatment could be helpful to minimize the risk of pancreatitis.