Abstract
Objective
This prospective, observational study examined the efficacy of liraglutide in subjects with obesity who did not experience early weight loss during a behavioral intervention in a real‐world setting.
Methods
The weight loss intervention lasted for 12 weeks, and at Week 6, we offered liraglutide to subjects who had lost less than 2.5% of their body weight (early unresponder (eUR)). Before and after the intervention, anthropometry, body composition, blood pressure, level of physical activity, nutrition knowledge, quality of life, and daytime sleepiness were assessed.
Results
Of 174 participants, 78 subjects were classified as early unresponders: 21 (27%) agreed to start liraglutide therapy (eUR‐LT), and 57 declined (eUR‐NLT), primarily due to the out‐of‐pocket cost. Liraglutide was well tolerated. Four subjects complained of nausea and two of epigastralgia. During the 6–12‐week period, the weight loss was −3.5 ± 1.8 kg (−3.2%) in the eUR‐LT group and −1.3 ± 1.6 kg (−1.4%) in the eUR‐NLT,
p
p
Conclusion
Liraglutide therapy is beneficial for individuals with obesity who do not respond early to lifestyle intervention. However, the high cost of the drug remains a barrier to its use.