Real-world cross-sectional study evaluating patient characteristics, disease burden, and treatment approaches in people with obesity disease in Japan.

Abstract

Aim: To describe clinical characteristics, disease burden, and treatment patterns among people with obesity disease (PwOD) in Japan, using data from the Adelphi Real World Obesity Disease Specific Programme™ (DSP).

Methods: Secondary data from the Japanese DSP cohort (July to December 2022) were analyzed. PwOD had a BMI ≥25 kg/m² and ≥1 obesity-related complications (ORCs). Outcomes were summarized for all PwOD or stratified by obesity class (BMI ≥25-<35 or ≥35 kg/m² [high-degree obesity disease]) and use of anti-obesity medications (AOMs).

Results: The study included 442 PwOD (mean age: 52.8 years; 54.8% males; BMI ≥25-<35 kg/m²: 64.5%; BMI ≥35 kg/m²: 35.5%; AOM users: n = 228; non-AOM users: n = 214). High-degree obesity disease was associated with worsened SF-36v2 scores (Physical Component Summary, Physical Functioning, Bodily Pain and General Health), greater activity impairment, and reduced work productivity. Common weight management approaches were diet (79.9%) and exercise (51.1%). Common prescription AOMs included traditional herbal medicine (67.5%) and mazindol (21.1%). People with high-degree obesity disease (BMI ≥35 vs ≥25-<35 kg/m²) used more prescription AOMs (57.3% vs 48.4%), behavioral therapy (9.6% vs 1.8%), and weight loss surgery (2.6% vs 0.4%). The difference in weight reduction between AOM and non-AOM users was modest.

Conclusions: People with high-degree obesity disease experienced greater disease burden. Diet and exercise are common for weight management, while behavioral therapy is less frequently implemented. These findings highlight the challenges and unmet medical needs in treating obesity in Japan and could inform better treatment strategies in Japan and globally among the Asian population.