[Obesity treatment with liraglutide in a patient with Prader-Willi syndrome: a case report]

Abstract

Background: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a major cause of syndromic obesity, caused by deletions on chromosome 15q11-q13. It is characterized by neonatal hypotonia, difficulty in feeding with low birth-weight and subsequent development of hyperphagia, behavioral disorders and obesity. Treatment options for weight control in those patients is limited and there are controversies for a surgical approach.

Case report: we present the case of a patient with PWS who achieved weight loss and control through the use of liraglutide, nutritional therapy and physical activity.

Discussion: the treatment of obesity in patients with PWS is challenging and requires an adequate nutritional approach combined with psychological therapy. In those patients that persist with uncontrolled appetite, medications such as metformin or GLP-1 analogs can be used.