The effects of orlistat on weight and on serum lipids in obese patients with hypercholesterolemia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study (original) (raw)

International Journal of Obesity volume 25, pages 1713–1721 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the effects of orlistat 120 mg three times daily vs placebo on weight loss and serum lipids in obese hypercholesterolemic patients.

DESIGN: A 24 week multicentre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. After a 2-week single-blind run-in period (placebo+diet (−600 kcal/day; ≤30% of calories as fat)), 294 patients were submitted to the hypocaloric diet and randomly assigned to either orlistat 120 mg or placebo three times daily. Patients who completed the double-blind study (_n_=255) were eligible for participation in a subsequent 24 week open-label orlistat extension phase.

SUBJECTS: Patients with body mass index (BMI) 27–40 kg/m2 and hypercholesterolemia (low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C, 4.1–6.7 mmol/l).

MEASUREMENTS: Efficacy assessments included weight loss, lipid levels, other cardiovascular risk factors and anthropometric parameters. Safety assessments.

RESULTS: Weight loss during run-in was similar in both groups. After randomization, orlistat-treated patients lost significantly more weight than placebo recipients: mean percentage weight loss from start of run-in to week 24 was−6.8% in the orlistat group and −3.8% in the placebo group (P<0.001). Moreover, more patients in the orlistat group than in the placebo group achieved clinically meaningful weight loss of ≥5% (64 vs 39%) or ≥10% (23 vs 13%) at week 24. Treatment with orlistat was associated with significantly greater changes in total cholesterol (−11.9% vs −4.0%; P<0.001) and LDL-C (−17.6 vs −7.6%; P<0.001). For any category of weight loss during the double-blind treatment period, change in LDL-C was more pronounced in orlistat-treated patients than in placebo recipients, indicating that orlistat had a direct cholesterol-lowering effect that was independent of weight reduction (P<0.001). Adjunction of orlistat during the extension phase in patients who initially received placebo induced a further decrease in weight, total cholesterol and LDL-C. Orlistat was generally well tolerated with a safety profile comparable to placebo, with the exception of a higher incidence of gastrointestinal events (≥1 event in 64 vs 38% of patients).

CONCLUSION: Orlistat as an adjunct to dietary intervention promotes weight loss and reduces LDL-C beyond the effect of weight loss in overweight or obese patients with concomitant hypercholesterolemia.

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Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by NV Roche SA, Belgium. The authors acknowledge and thank the research nurses and dieticians, as well as J Masure, MD, A Lefever, MD, and P Ysebaert (NV Roche SA, Belgium) for logistical support, and Derde MP (DICE) for statistical analysis.

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Author notes

  1. E Muls, J Kolanowski and A Scheen: Obesity Linked with Hypercholesterolemia treated with Xenical.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition, University Hospital, Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
    E Muls
  2. University Hospital St Luc, Brussels, Belgium
    J Kolanowski
  3. Département de Médecine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sart Tilman, Liége, Belgium
    A Scheen
  4. Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem-Antwerp, Belgium
    L Van Gaal

Authors

  1. E Muls
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  2. J Kolanowski
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  3. A Scheen
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  4. L Van Gaal
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Consortia

L Van Gaal for the ObelHyx Study Group

Corresponding author

Correspondence toE Muls.

Additional information

The other ObelHyx investigators were: A Bodson, W Coucke, L Crenier, C Daubresse, JC Daubresse, F Duyck, P Ernest, F Féry, J Gérard, T Hartoko, C Herbaut, B Jandrain, G Krzentowski, G Lamberigts, J Leonet, C Litvine, L Messaoudi, G Michel, D Nicolaij, F Nobels, F Peiffer, M Pieron, K Poppe, C Righes, P Taelman, P Van Crombrugge, A Van den Bruel, S Van Imschoot, M Van Ypersele, B Velkeniers, and J Verhelst.

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Muls, E., Kolanowski, J., Scheen, A. et al. The effects of orlistat on weight and on serum lipids in obese patients with hypercholesterolemia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study.Int J Obes 25, 1713–1721 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801814

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