Liraglutide in Obesity Management: Evidence of Weight and Lipid Improvements in a UAE Cohort

Liraglutide, a Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1RA), is used for weight management and glycaemic control in obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of liraglutide on weight, glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) over 12 months in a real-world clinical setting.

This retrospective single-arm longitudinal study included 209 patients with obesity, primarily UAE nationals (86.1%) and females (82.8%). Clinical parameters (weight, HbA1c, and LDL-C) were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Paired-sample t-tests were used to compare clinical parameters at baseline with those at 6 months and 12 months. Subgroup analyses examined sex differences and associations between weight status and HbA1c levels. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Mean weight decreased from 98.42 ± 16.97 kg at baseline to 92.90 ± 16.83 kg at 6 months (p<0.001) and 91.69 ± 16.23 kg at 12 months (p<0.001), reflecting a 6.8% reduction. HbA1c declined modestly from 6.33 ± 1.42% to 6.11 ± 1.30% (p=0.039). LDL-C decreased from 2.91 ± 0.98 mmol/L to 2.61 ± 0.94 mmol/L (p=0.009). Baseline sex differences in weight (p=0.002) diminished over time.

Liraglutide achieved significant weight and LDL-C reductions and modest glycaemic improvements in a predominantly non-diabetic obese cohort. These outcomes align with previous studies but may vary with dose, duration, and population characteristics.

Liraglutide effectively reduced weight and improved LDL-C levels in young, predominantly female, non-diabetic obese patients from UAE, supporting its role as an adjunct to lifestyle interventions in similar populations.