Short-term intervention with liraglutide improved eating behavior in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Aim: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) stimulate satiety leading to reductions in food intake and body weight. The effects of long- acting GLP-1 RA liraglutide on eating behavior of women with PCOS have not been investigated yet. Methods: Thirty-six obese women with PCOS (mean ± SD, aged 31.2 ± 7.8 years, with BMI 38.7 ± 0.1 kg/m²), pretreated with metformin (1000 mg BID) were switched to liraglutide 1.2 mg QD sc for 12 weeks. Adiposity parameters and eating behavior as assessed by Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R18) were examined at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: Subjects treated with liraglutide lost on average 3.8 ± 0.1 kg (p < 0.001). Significant reductions of waist circumference and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass, volume and area were demonstrated from liraglutide induction to the end of the study. TFEQ-R18 scores were significantly different pre- and post-liraglutide intervention. After treatment with liraglutide the uncontrolled eating (UE) score decreased from 36.8 ± 24.5 to 19.6 ± 18.4 (p < 0.001) and emotional eating (EE) score decreased from 49.9 ± 33.3 to 28.5 ± 26.9 (p < 0.001). Scores for cognitive restraint (CR) were not changed. Conclusions: Short-term liraglutide treatment was associated with weight loss and significantly improved eating behavior in obese women with PCOS.

• Eating behavior
• liraglutide
• obesity
• PCOS
• TFEQ-R18

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Franci Cucek and Ziga Krizaj for statistical analysis. We appreciate the assistance of Mirela Ozura and Elizabeta Stepanovic, RNs.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of paper. The study was supported by grant Number 20120047 of the University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia. The study is registered with clinicaltrials.gov No/NCT01911468.