Almost two-thirds of the adult American population is overweight. Obesity is associated with a higher incidence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. Orlistat, a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor, provides an option for weight loss management in addition to diet and exercise. This study assessed the metabolic response of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to orlistat. Forty-one patients with type 2 diabetes who received orlistat in a private endocrinology practice were identified by a computer-assisted retrospective chart review. Orlistat's effects on weight, blood pressure, lipid parameters, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), and concurrent medication use were identified. Analysis of the 23 patients who remained on the drug for a minimum of 3 months revealed statistically significant reductions in patient weight, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol levels. For patients with type 2 diabetes who were able to tolerate the drug, orlistat was associated with improvement in several cardiovascular risk factors.
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