Cited by 258Pharmacology and Obesity TreatmentDiabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and LipoproteinsBariatric Surgery and Outcomes

Effectiveness of Metformin on Weight Loss in Non-Diabetic Individuals with Obesity

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Seifarth, C., Schehler, B., Schneider, H.·2012·Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of metformin for the treatment of obesity has been evaluated in few clinical trials with inconclusive results. Moreover, the effectiveness in a real-life outpatient setting has not been tested until today. In this study we aimed to examine the effectiveness of metformin as a weight reducing drug in obese and overweight patients with regard to their degree of insulin resistance. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: We treated 154 consecutive patients with a body mass index ≥27 kg/m(2) in an outpatient setting over 6 months with metformin up to a dosage of 2,500 mg per day. Additionally, we included 45 untreated patients as controls. Patients were monitored for weight changes over 6 months. Before metformin treatment was started insulin sensitivity was determined in all patients by calculating HOMA index and Matsuda index after a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS: The mean weight loss in the metformin treated group was 5.8±7.0 kg (5.6±6.5%). Untreated controls gained 0.8±3.5 kg (0.8±3.7%) on average. Patients with severe insulin resistance lost significantly more weight as compared to insulin sensitive patients. The percentage of weight loss was independent of age, sex or BMI. CONCLUSION: Metformin is an effective drug to reduce weight in a naturalistic outpatient setting in insulin sensitive and insulin resistant overweight and obese patients.

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  • Metformin supports weight loss by reducing food consumption.

    “Furthermore, it supports weight loss344 by reducing food consumption.345”

    From Pancreatic regulation of glucose homeostasis. (2016) · cites this paper as [344]

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Authors
Seifarth, C., Schehler, B., & Schneider, H.
Affiliations
  • Practice for Endocrinology, Regensburg, Germany
  • Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (DE)
Venue
Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes
Published
2012-11-12
Volume
121
Issue
01
Pages
27-31
ISSN
  • 0947-7349 (ISSN-L)
  • 1439-3646
OpenAlex
W2047377453
Cited by
258
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 8
FWCI
5.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Pharmacology and Obesity Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Bariatric Surgery and Outcomes
Keywords
metformin, obesity, weight loss, insulin resistance, overweight, HOMA index, Matsuda index, outpatient care, non-diabetic patients
MeSH terms
Adult, Age Factors, Female, Humans, Hypoglycemic Agents, Insulin Resistance, Male, Metformin, Middle Aged, Obesity, Outpatients, Sex Factors, Time Factors, Weight Loss, Body Mass Index

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