Effects of liraglutide on weight control and blood pressure in type 2 diabetes mellitus Iraqi patients

Background: Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine illness, affecting an increasing number of people all over the world. It is caused by a lack, or inadequate synthesis of insulin by the pancreas leading to an increase in blood glucose concentrations. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most strongly linked disease to obesity of all disorders. The number of obesity-related diabetes is predicted to reach 300 million by 2025. The term 'diabesity' was coined as a result of this strong link, therefore, weight loss is seen as a key therapeutic goal in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that stimulates insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. Also, it has weight-losing benefits which is assumed to be due to appetite suppression and delayed gastric emptying.    Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of Liraglutide on weight management, body mass index, renal function and blood pressure in type 2 diabetic mellitus obese patients in Iraq. Methods: An open-label therapeutic trial was conducted from November 2021 to June 2022 at Baquba Teaching Hospital/ Diyala. (23 males and 27 females) with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus for 2 - 4 years were included in the study. They were obese, hypertensive and dyslipidemic. They received metformin and liraglutide for 12 weeks as 0.6 mg/day during the first week, which was gradually increased to 1.2 mg and up to 1.8 mg/day according to patient tolerance and requirement for control at the beginning the study. The patients had their height as well as body weight measured, calculated, blood pressure measured and renal functions tested. The statistical analysis was performed using SAS (Statistical Analysis System - version 9.1). Two-way ANOVA and Least significant differences (LSD) post hoc test were performed as well as paired t-test. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Treatment with liraglutide for 12 weeks has resulted in a significant decrease in body weight, BMI, and blood pressure (P<0.05). The changes in the results of renal function test of liraglutide-treated patients were not significant. Conclusion: In obese type 2 diabetic patients, liraglutide has the potential of reducing body weight, body mass index and blood pressure. It seemed safe in terms of its systemic effects