Comparison of the effect of liraglutide and metformin therapy on the disease regulation and weight loss in obese patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

L. Keskin, B. Yaprak

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Turgut Özal University, Malatya Training and Research Hospital, Malatya, Turkey. lezzankeskin@gmail.com

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• Diabetes
• Endocrinology
• Obesity

OBJECTIVE: Obesity and Type 2 diabetes mellitus are growing health problems all over the world. The aim of this study is the comparison of 3 mg liraglutide and metformin combination, metformin monotherapy on the blood glucose regulation, weight loss and lipid panel in the patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus whose BMI is ≥ 30 kg/m2.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: 276 patients included in the study were divided into two groups (1:1); liraglutide (3 mg) + metformin combination (L+M) and metformin monotherapy (M) (2×1,000 mg) (exercise and diet were regulated in both groups). Patients’ body composition measurements were performed and fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, HbA1c, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL levels were measured by TANITA device prior to the therapy and in the week 12 of the therapy.

RESULTS: The average age of 276 patients included in the study was 49.70±7.93 years. A statistically significant decrease was noted in weight, BMI, fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, HbA1c values of both groups at the end of the third month. 11.3 kg of weight was lost on average in L+M group (-12.3%); 4.5 kg of weight was lost in the monotherapy group (-4.9%). A decrease of 14.3% was seen in the body fat mass, 2.1% in the muscle mass in L+M group and a decrease of 4.4% in the body fat mass and 6.1% in the muscle mass in the monotherapy group. The decrease in the body fat was higher at a statistically significant level in L+M group and the decrease in the muscle mass was higher in the monotherapy group. HbA1c decreased by 17.9% in L+M group (–1.49±0.46, Cohen’s d=2.68), 5.3% in the monotherapy group (–0.37±0.26, Cohen’s d=0.90). The decrease in TG, total cholesterol, LDL was higher at a statistically significant level in L+M group. The increase in HDL level was higher in the monotherapy group (L+M=22.7%, M=35.4%). A weight loss that was over 10% occurred in 4.3% of the patients in the monotherapy group and 68.1% of the combined therapy group at the end of 12 weeks (95% C.I. OR=19.49-121.65).

CONCLUSIONS: The effect of the combination of liraglutide 3 mg and metformin on blood glucose regulation, weight loss (fat loss, muscle conservation) was found to be superior to the metformin monotherapy in the obese patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus according to the early period results.

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