Predictors of weight reduction effectiveness with liraglutide in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients: a retrospective cohort study

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are effective for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and promoting weight loss, but not all patients respond similarly. This study aimed to identify predictors of significant weight reduction at 6 months in T2DM patients treated with liraglutide. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 209 T2DM adults prescribed liraglutide at the Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2022. Patients who could not tolerate or did not complete titration to 3.0 mg daily were excluded. Demographic, clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical data were obtained from electronic medical records. Logistic regression was used to identify clinical and biochemical factors associated with significant weight reduction (≥ 5% at 6 months), presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Of the 209 patients, 27.3% achieved significant weight reduction. Lower baseline body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01–1.25, p = 0.036) and greater weight loss at 3 months (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.67–3.03, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of weight reduction at 6 months, after adjusting for age, sex, baseline HbA1c, creatinine, systolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and concomitant medications. Lower baseline BMI and early weight loss at 3 months predict significant weight reduction with liraglutide therapy. Identifying these simple, accessible predictors can improve patient selection and optimize weight control outcomes.