Saxenda® Frenzy: Opinions of an Endocrine and Metabolism Specialist
- Author:
Sungrae KIM
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Editorial
- Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; type 2; Glucagon-like peptide 1; Metabolic diseases; Obesity
- MeSH: Behavior Therapy; Body Mass Index; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diet; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypertension; Korea; Metabolic Diseases; Metabolism; Obesity; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Specialization
- From:Journal of Korean Diabetes 2019;20(2):63-66
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: Globally, the problem of obesity is increasing, and the prevalence of obesity in Korea is also rising rapidly. Obesity is a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancer. Therefore, prevention of various metabolic diseases or symptom relief through effective treatment of obesity is a very important problem. According to the obesity guidelines of the Obesity Society of Korea in 2018, obesity medication is recommended for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or more or a BMI of 27 kg/m² or more, and one or more obesity accompanying diseases (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia). In this case, it is recommended that the basic treatment for obesity (diet, exercise, and behavior therapy) should be performed in parallel with Saxenda® treatment. The glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue, Saxenda®, has been validated as a long-term effective and safe treatment for obesity, and is expected to be a promising drug for the treatment of obesity and the prevention of pre-diabetes in the future. However, in Korea, where non-standard obesity treatments are widely practiced, it is necessary to improve the health of obese patients by being treated with Saxenda® along with diet, exercise and behavior therapy.
