Effect of liraglutide on cardiometabolic profile and on bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity represent a public health problem worldwide. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a practical and effective way of evaluating body composition, especially abdominal fat. Liraglutide, a GLP-1 analog, reduces body weight and improves cardiometabolic parameters. In this prospective non-randomized intervention study, we evaluated the effect of 6 months of treatment with liraglutide (n = 57) on the clinical, laboratory and BIA findings of adult sex-stratified patients diagnosed with obesity and MetS, compared to a control group receiving sibutramine (n = 46). The groups were statistically similar with regard to the age of females (p = 0.852) and males (p = 0.657). Almost all anthropometric and BIA variables were higher in the treatment group than in the comparative group (p < 0.05). Abdominal circumference (AC) decreased significantly more in the treatment group. In males, body weight and fat mass also decreased (p < 0.05). Liraglutide treatment was associated with a greater reduction in trunk fat mass (FMT) (p < 0.05). AC and FMT were strongly correlated (rho = 0.531, p < 0.001) in the treatment group. In the multiple regression analysis, liraglutide treatment remained independently associated with FMT. Treatment with liraglutide for 6 months promoted weight loss, improved cardiometabolic and inflammatory parameters and led to a significant reduction in FMT correlated with AC in obese MetS patients of both sexes.