Pharmacological Treatment - An Overview of Its Role in Managing Childhood Obesity

Aim

The aim of this sub-study is to evaluate the impact of liraglutide treatment on the trajectory of body mass index (BMI), including BMI according to International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria and BMI standard deviation score (BMI SDS), as well as its effects on cardiovascular risk markers among children and adolescents treated with liraglutide in two Swedish regions. The study seeks to generate real-world evidence on the effectiveness of liraglutide in routine clinical practice.

Study Design

This is a retrospective, observational study based on medical records of children and adolescents who received multidisciplinary obesity care for at least one year and were treated with liraglutide during 2022-2023 at either the Pediatric Clinic in Region Halland or the Regional Childhood Obesity Center at Queen Silvia's Children's Hospital. The study is non-interventional and does not introduce any additional risks beyond standard clinical care. Participation was voluntary, with informed consent obtained from legal guardians and assent from children.

Participants

Eligible participants include children and adolescents who:

Were enrolled in multidisciplinary obesity care for at least one year

Received liraglutide treatment during 2022-2023 at one of the study sites

Were invited to participate either during clinical visits or via written invitation

Data on comorbidities, including neuropsychiatric diagnoses, were also collected to assess potential confounding factors.

Data Collection

Data were extracted retrospectively from medical records and include:

Demographics: sex, age

Anthropometrics: height, weight, BMI, BMI SDS, BMI according to IOTF criteria

Treatment details: titration period, maximum tolerated dose, and treatment outcomes at 3-6, 12, 18.

Metabolic parameters: blood pressure, lipid profile, fasting glucose, and HbA1c

Comorbidities: neuropsychiatric and other relevant diagnoses

All data were anonymized and handled in accordance with Swedish data protection regulations.

Statistical Analysis

Descriptive Statistics:

Continuous variables (e.g., age, BMI, metabolic parameters) will be summarized using mean ± standard deviation (SD) or median with interquartile range (IQR), as appropriate.

Categorical variables (e.g., sex, comorbidities) will be summarized using counts and percentages.

Treatment effects at 3-6, 12, 18, and 24 months will be evaluated using appropriate repeated measures models, accounting for potential confounders such as age, sex, baseline BMI, and comorbidities.

Handling of Missing Data:

Missing data will be assessed for patterns and mechanisms.

Multiple imputation or sensitivity analyses may be performed depending on the proportion and nature of missing values.

Statistical Collaboration:

All analyses will be conducted in collaboration with an experienced statistician.

The analysis plan and results will be reviewed and validated by both the statistician and study supervisors.

Ethical Considerations

Participation was voluntary and did not affect ongoing clinical care.

Informed consent was obtained from legal guardians, with assent from children.

Data were anonymized and managed according to Swedish data protection laws.

The study was retrospective and non-interventional; no specific approval from the Swedish Medical Products Agency was required.

All procedures adhere to the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Dissemination

Results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication and scientific conference presentations. Sub-study III is expected to be finalized in 2026.

Inclusion criteria

• Adolescents aged 10-18 years with obesity who were offered pharmacological treatment
• Provided consent to participate
• Participants with short treatment duration, early adverse effects, or who proceeded to surgery are also included in baseline data

Exclusion criteria

• Hypothalamic obesity
• Craniopharyngioma
• Syndromic obesity / monogenic obesity