ESPE Abstracts

Background: Prevalence of obesity has been rising throughout the world. Dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMT2) (metabolic syndrome) are frequently observed serious complications of obesity. The primary approach in the treatment of metabolic syndrome is improving insulin resistance. Metformin is considered as an option for treatment in children with insulin resistance. During the last decade, numerous studies have been published demonstrating that metformin delays the risk of DMT2 in obese adolescents through overcoming insulin resistance. In this study, it was aimed to retrospectively evaluate the subjects who used metformin treatment due to insulin resistance and exogenous obesity in our clinic and assess the effects of metformin on anthropometric and metabolic variables.

Method: The medical records of the 36 patients, who were started metformin therapy due to obesity and insulin resistance and were followed-up in Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology between 2005 and 2015, were retrospectively evaluated. The anthropometric and metabolic variables of the obese individuals at the sixth month of treatment who received metformin were compared with basal values.

Results: Statistically significant decrease was detected after 6 months of metformin treatment in weight SDS, BMI, and BMI SDS of individuals. A mean reduction of 2.41±1.93 kg/m² in BMI values of study subjects was present (P<0.001). Statistically significant reductions in post-treatment fasting insulin, fasting glucose/insulin ratio, HOMA-IR, and Quick were index values were found.

Conclusion: Metformin is one of the treatment options in obese adolescents with insulin resistance. In our study, it was observed that improvement in anthropometric measurements and metabolic parameters was achieved without any serious side effects in who received metformin treatment.