Addition of orlistat to conventional treatment in adolescents with severe obesity

Eur J Pediatr. 2004 Dec;163(12):738-41. doi: 10.1007/s00431-004-1534-6.

Abstract

To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of orlistat in obese adolescents, a prospective, open-label, randomised, controlled pilot trial was performed. A total of 22 adolescents with exogeneous obesity were started on orlistat (120 mg tid) and a daily multivitamin preparation in addition to conventional treatment which included nutritional and lifestyle modification programmes. The control group consisted of 20 obese adolescents who had similar duration of follow-up under conventional treatment alone. Of the 22 patients, 7 dropped out within the 1st month of the trial due to side-effects attributable to orlistat. The remaining 15 patients on orlistat were followed for 5-15 months (average duration of treatment 11.7 +/- 3.7 months). The control group was similar in age, sex, and duration of follow-up (10.2 +/- 3.7 months, range 6-17 months) to the orlistat group. Compared to initial body weight, patients in the orlistat group lost -6.27 +/- 5.4 kg, whereas those in the control group gained 4.16 +/- 6.45 kg (P < 0.001) during the study period. Patients in the orlistat group lost -7.65% +/- 6.5% of their initial body weight, whereas, those of the control group gained 5.7% +/- 8.3% (P < 0.001). The body mass index decreased in the orlistat group by -4.09 +/- 2.9 kg/m2 while it increased by + 0.11 +/- 2.49 kg/m2 in the control group (P < 0.001). Mild gastrointestinal complaints (frequent stools) were experienced by all patients in the orlistat group.

Conclusion: Orlistat could be a useful adjunct in the treatment of severe obesity in adolescents; however, gastrointestinal side-effects limit its usefulness in almost one in three adolescents.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Caloric Restriction
  • Child
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Exercise
  • Fecal Incontinence / chemically induced
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lactones / therapeutic use*
  • Life Style
  • Lipase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Male
  • Obesity / therapy*
  • Orlistat
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Lactones
  • Vitamins
  • Orlistat
  • Lipase