A 12-Week Treatment with the Long-Acting Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonist Liraglutide Leads to Significant Weight Loss in a Subset of Obese Women with Newly Diagnosed Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

In a study from 2015, 32 obese women with newly diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were treated with liraglutide or metformin for 12 weeks. The results showed significant weight loss in both treatment groups, with no significant difference between the two. However, a subgroup of 9 patients with insulin resistance and severe obesity experienced a greater reduction in BMI with liraglutide compared to metformin (2.13 kg/m² vs. 0.62 kg/m²). While metformin was more effective in reducing luteinizing hormone and total testosterone levels, liraglutide was associated with an increase in LH. The study suggests that liraglutide may be particularly beneficial for obese PCOS patients with a higher metabolic risk, but further research is needed due to the small sample size and short study duration.