19 Aug Study Supports Liraglutide For Weight Loss in Obese Diabetics

MedicalResearch.com Interview Invitation
Melanie J Davies MB ChB MD FRCP FRCGP
Professor of Diabetes Medicine 
NIHR Senior Investigator
Leicester Diabetes Unit
Leicester Diabetes Centre
Bloom
 University of Leicester

MedicalResearch: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?


Dr. Davies: This study was designed to test the efficacy and safety of Liraglutide using a dose of 3mg for weight loss among patients with type 2 diabetes.  It was a large international study in which we compared once daily subcutaneous Liraglutide at a dose of 3mg to Liraglutide 1.8mg which is the current maximum dose licenced in patients with diabetes and placebo.  In all patients we offered a calorie deficit diet and lifestyle advice to increase physical activity.  Our main findings were that the dose of 3mg of Liraglutide resulted in greater weight loss than both other arms of the study indeed 54% of patients at 56 weeks achieved more than 5% weight loss and a further 25% were able to achieve more than 10% weight loss.  The 3mg of Liraglutide compared to the placebo, there were also significant impacts on HbA1c and other cardiovascular risk factors such as systolic blood pressure and lipids as well as improving patient quality of life particularly physical functioning and patient treatment satisfaction. 

MedicalResearch: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?


Dr. Davies: This supports the evidence based for the licence of Liraglutide 3mg to be used for obesity in patients with diabetes and along with other lifestyle interventions offers patients and clinicians increasing choice when considering options for managing obesity in this group of patients.

MedicalResearch: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Davies: I think as we say in our paper we need longer term data to continue to evaluate both efficacy and safety but also it would be useful to look at different combinations of intensive lifestyle interventions  with Liraglutide in obesity and also it’s role in treating other obesity related co-morbidities for example non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Melanie J. Davies, Richard Bergenstal, Bruce Bode, Robert F. Kushner, Andrew Lewin, Trine Vang Skjøth, Arne Haahr Andreasen, Christine Bjørn Jensen, Ralph A. DeFronzo. Efficacy of Liraglutide for Weight Loss Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA, 2015; 314 (7): 687 DOI:10.1001/jama.2015.9676

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Melanie J Davies MB ChB (2015). Study Supports Liraglutide For Weight Loss in Obese Diabetics 

Last Updated on August 19, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD