An open‐label 16‐week study of liraglutide in adolescents with obesity post‐sleeve gastrectomy

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundUp to 50% of adolescents who undergo metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) have obesity 3 years post‐MBS, placing them at continued risk for the consequences of obesity.ObjectivesWe conducted an open‐label, 16‐week pilot study of liraglutide in adolescents with obesity after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) to investigate liraglutide effects on weight and body mass index (BMI) post‐SG.MethodsAdolescents aged 12–20.99 years with obesity and a history of SG ≥1 year prior were enrolled. Liraglutide was initiated at 0.6 mg/day, escalated weekly to a maximum of 3 mg/day, with treatment duration 16 weeks. Fasting laboratory assessments and an oral glucose tolerance test were performed at baseline and end‐treatment.ResultsA total of 43 participants were screened, 34 initiated liraglutide (baseline BMI 41.2 ± 7.7 kg/m2), and 31 (91%) attended the end‐treatment visit. BMI decreased by 4.3% (p < 0.001) with liraglutide. Adolescents who had poor initial response to SG (<20% BMI reduction at BMI nadir) had less weight loss with liraglutide. Fasting glucose and haemoglobin A1C concentrations significantly decreased. There were no serious treatment‐emergent adverse events reported.ConclusionsLiraglutide treatment was feasible and associated with a BMI reduction of 4.3% in adolescents who had previously undergone SG, quantitatively similar to results obtained in adolescents with obesity who have not undergone MBS.