Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogues in monogenic syndromic obesity: Real‐world data from a large cohort of Alström syndrome patients

Abstract

AimTo examine the real‐world efficacy of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs) in monogenic obesity in patients with Alström syndrome (ALMS).MethodsWe screened 72 UK adult patients with ALMS and offered treatment to 34 patients meeting one of the following criteria: body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or higher, insulin resistance, suboptimal glycaemic control on antihyperglycaemic medications or non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease.ResultsIn total, 30 patients, with a mean age of 31 ± 11 years and a male to‐female ratio of 2:1, completed 6 months of treatment with GLP‐1 RAs either in the form of semaglutide or exenatide. On average, treatment with GLP‐1 RAs reduced body weight by 5.4 ± 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.6‐7) kg and HbA1c by 12 ± 3.3 (95% CI 8.7‐15.3) mmol/mol, equating to 6% weight loss (P < .01) and 1.1% absolute reduction in HbA1c (P < .01). Significant improvements were also observed in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and alanine aminotransferase. The improvement of metabolic variables in our cohort of monogenic syndromic obesity was comparable with data for polygenic obesity, irrespective of weight loss.ConclusionsData from our centre highlight the non‐inferiority of GLP‐1 RAs in monogenic syndromic obesity to the available GLP‐1 RA‐use data in polygenic obesity, therefore, these agents can be considered as a treatment option in patients with ALMS, as well as other forms of monogenic obesity.

Alström Syndrome: A Review Focusing on Its Diverse Clinical Manifestations and Their Etiology as a Ciliopathy

“…11,12 Regarding diabetes management, therapeutic approaches include carbohydrate restriction, high-dose subcutaneous insulin administration, biguanides, thiazolidines, and GLP-1 agonists. 49,50 Thiazolidine drugs have also demonstrated efficacy against insulin resistance in Alström syndrome. 51…”