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

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/m(2)), pretreated with metformin (1000mg BID) were switched to liraglutide 1.2mg 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.