Obesity Pillars最新文献

{"title":"Glucagon-like Receptor-1 agonists for obesity: Weight loss outcomes, tolerability, side effects, and risks","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100127","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100127","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>This review investigates the side effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) like liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide, medications known for their efficacy in promoting weight loss among individuals with obesity. The rationale is rooted in understanding the balance between their therapeutic benefits and associated risks.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This was a comprehensive clinical review, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and cohort studies. Data were extracted from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Embase, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar, focusing on the tolerability, severity, and risks of these medications.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>GLP-1RAs demonstrated significant weight loss outcomes. In clinical trials, liraglutide showed a placebo-corrected weight loss of around 5 %, semaglutide 12 %, and tirzepatide 18 %. Common side effects were predominantly gastrointestinal, including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. Rare serious adverse events included gallbladder disorders and acute pancreatitis. In, addition, multiple studies identify new risks associated with GLP-1RAs including increased aspiration risk during anesthesia due to delayed gastric emptying and challenges with bowel preparation for colonoscopies.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>While GLP-1RAs are effective in managing obesity, their use is associated with gastrointestinal side effects and rare but serious adverse events. The findings underscore the importance of individualized dosing and thorough patient assessment. Continuous research and vigilant monitoring are essential to optimize their safe use. Further studies are needed to refine guidelines, particularly regarding new concerns such as delayed gastric emptying and its implications for anesthesia.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100977,"journal":{"name":"Obesity Pillars","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368124000299/pdfft?md5=165894a56a8d179b8b2f34a9cd907832&pid=1-s2.0-S2667368124000299-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142136867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adoption of telemedicine for obesity treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic achieved comparable outcomes to in-person visits","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100131","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100131","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>During the COVID-19 pandemic, weight loss programs rapidly transitioned to a virtual model, replacing in-person clinic visits. We sought to compare the observed weight loss and adherence to treatment between patients referred for intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) who were treated via telemedicine and those treated in person.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>After IRB approval, we conducted a retrospective observational study of patients referred for clinical bariatric IBT between January 2019 and June 2021 who were followed in person or via telemedicine. The primary endpoint was the percentage of excess BMI loss (EBL%); secondary endpoints included treatment adherence, duration of follow-up, and number of completed visits.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>During the study period, 139 patients were seen for at least one IBT session for weight management: 62 were followed up in person (IP) and 77 via telemedicine (TM). The mean age, baseline BMI, and follow-up duration between the groups were similar. In the IP and TM groups, the EBL% was −24.7 ± 24.7 and −22.7 ± 19.5 (P = 0.989) and loss to follow-up after the first visit was 27.4% and 19.5% (P = 0.269), respectively.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>For the management of obesity, weight loss programs delivered via telemedicine can achieve similar outcomes to those provided via classical in-person visits. This study suggests that the integration of telecare into clinical practice in bariatric medicine should be considered in the future. Emerging technologies may allow adequate patient follow-up in multiple scenarios, specifically non-critical chronic disorders, and bring unanticipated benefits for patients and healthcare providers.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100977,"journal":{"name":"Obesity Pillars","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368124000330/pdfft?md5=97b918584ec1a92f1c1dda3a1ffbb5e7&pid=1-s2.0-S2667368124000330-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142151950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"“What would be left of me?” Patient perspectives on the risks of obesity treatment: An innovative health initiative stratification of obesity phenotypes to optimise future obesity therapy (IMI2 SOPHIA) qualitative study","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100129","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100129","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The uptake of obesity treatments remains disproportionally low in people living with the disease, even with the advent and availability of GLP-1 agonists in recent years. Efforts to understand this discrepancy have centred on literature syntheses and Healthcare Professionals’ (HCPs) perspectives on the barriers to obesity treatment. This study focuses on patient perspectives on the <em>risks</em> of obesity treatment.</p></div><div><h3>Method</h3><p>This qualitative study consisted of online focus groups with 30 adults with obesity from Europe and North America. The focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Patients identified three risks associated with obesity treatment: (a) the risk that they can’t access treatment; (b) the risk that they would fail to meet treatment expectations – their own, their HCPs and societal expectations, and (c) the risk that the treatment would be ‘successful’ but that they would lose their sense of self, their coping mechanisms and identity along with weight.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Understanding patient concerns about the risks of obesity treatment is essential to addressing obesity treatment inertia.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100977,"journal":{"name":"Obesity Pillars","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368124000317/pdfft?md5=d76a124c3aad24ed22a66ffca1e3865d&pid=1-s2.0-S2667368124000317-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142076815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bariatric surgery association with risk of recurrent stroke hospitalization among older stroke survivors with obesity: A national inpatient sample study (2016–2019)","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100126","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100126","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aims</h3><p>The paucity of large-scale data exploring the effect of prior bariatric surgery on recurrent stroke outcomes in older individuals with obesity who survived a stroke led us to address the gap, with an emphasis on the risk of recurrent stroke and its trends.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample data from 2016 to 2019. Older individuals with obesity who survived a stroke (&gt;65 years) and had a recurrent acute ischemic stroke (AIS) hospitalization, with or without prior bariatric surgery (PBS), were identified using ICD-10 codes. Recurrent stroke trends, demographic characteristics, and comorbidities between the cohorts were compared.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Analyzing 643,505 older individuals with obesity who survived a stroke, we identified that 11,820 had undergone PBS. Both groups (no PBS vs. PBS) were predominantly female (59.7 % vs. 73.7 %), identified as white (76.5 % vs. 83.8 %), and covered by Medicare (91.7 % vs. 90.7 %). Diabetes, hyperlipidemia, prior myocardial infarction, and peripheral vascular diseases were more common in those without PBS. In contrast, tobacco use disorder, drug abuse, and valvular diseases were more common in those with PBS. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of hypertension between groups.</p><p>Between 2016 and 2019, recurrent AIS hospitalizations were less frequent in the PBS group (4 %–2.9 %, p = 0.035) while remaining stable in the other group (4.4 %–4.2 %, p = 0.064). The risk of recurrent AIS hospitalization was less frequent in the PBS cohort (aOR: 0.77, 95 % CI: 0.60–0.98).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>PBS in older individuals with obesity who survived a stroke was associated with a 23 % lower risk of recurrent AIS hospitalization with a decreasing trend of prevalence since 2016. These findings could influence clinical practice and contribute to developing secondary prevention strategies for recurrent stroke among these patients.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100977,"journal":{"name":"Obesity Pillars","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368124000287/pdfft?md5=b43a74dad6cdba9b3d91d4531dd58359&pid=1-s2.0-S2667368124000287-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142076814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Awareness is not enough: Developing competencies in behaviour change counselling for obesity management","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100124","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100124","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>This study describes the development and evaluation of a competency based training program in behaviour change counselling for obesity management. This was a real world study attempting to obtain evidence on the learning experience; specifically, achievement of level of competency as well as personal experiences of the integration of skills learned into practice.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This was a training effectiveness study involving a total of 28 evaluable licenced healthcare providers providing obesity care services. The design for this study is pre-experimental; specifically a one-group post-test only quasi-experimental design.</p><p>Based on previous work developing a competency-based model of behaviour change counselling (developing change-based relationships, assessing and promoting readiness to change, implementing behaviour modification when ready, and addressing psychosocial determinants of behaviour) we report on training outcomes; specifically, the level of competency achieved in the various skill components of the intervention model. The model of training was based on corrective feedback, the development of peer-based learning and the creation of a mindmap to guide adaptation of interventions to the unique characteristics of individuals with obesity. Quantitative data on competency of components skills and qualitative information on the experience of training were used to evaluate the program.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Objective assessment of skill competency post training demonstrated moderate to high skill in all aspects of behaviour change counselling. Learners reported frequent use of skills in clinical practice, particularly change-based relationships and readiness assessment/intervention. Qualitative interviews confirmed the value to learners in creating a safe place for corrective feedback, the development of the mindmap concept and the opportunity to teach back learned skills to peers.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Provision of competency-based behaviour change counselling in obesity management is critical to support the reformulation of obesity as a chronic disease and to be an important adjunct to medical/surgical interventions. In this paper, we have demonstrated the value of an intensive training program for obesity providers.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100977,"journal":{"name":"Obesity Pillars","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368124000263/pdfft?md5=53efb72601047ead597342494d69a404&pid=1-s2.0-S2667368124000263-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142021068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of cardiovascular events among transgender adults with obesity: A population-based analysis","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100125","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100125","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Although obesity and its impact on cardiovascular (CV) events have been extensively studied in the cisgender population, little is known about its impact on CV events in transgender individuals. Our study aimed to establish the prevalence of obesity and CV events in transgender adults.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We conducted a retrospective cohort comparative study utilizing the U.S. National Inpatient Sample 2020 database. We identified admissions of transgender patients with administrative codes. Later, these patients were divided into obesity and non-obesity cohorts. Multivariable regression analysis was then performed for in-hospital all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction, acute ischemic stroke, cardiac arrest, pulmonary embolism and, major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE).</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>In 2020, 19,345 transgender patients were admitted; 16,390 (84.7 %) had no obesity, and 2,955 (15.3 %) had obesity. The median age was 31 years in the non-obesity cohort and 37 years in the obesity cohort. Transgender men comprised 54.5 % of the non-obesity cohort and 47.9 % of the obesity cohort. Common baseline conditions in the non-obesity and obesity cohorts, respectively, included hypertension (20.7 % vs. 43.5 %), diabetes (10.2 % vs. 32.5 %), chronic pulmonary disease (18.9 % vs. 27.7 %), and hyperlipidemia (11.5 % vs. 25 %). MACCE was observed in 2.3 % of the non-obesity cohort compared to 5.4 % in the obesity cohort, and cardiac arrest occurred in 0.2 % of the non-obesity cohort versus 1.2 % in the obesity cohort. A statistically significant association was found in MACCE [odds ratio (OR) 2.1, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.24–3.55, p = 0.006] and cardiac arrest [OR 3.92, 95 % CI 1.11–12.63, p = 0.022] among transgender patients with obesity.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>We observed increased odds of MACCE and cardiac arrest in transgender patients with obesity, possibly due to obesity and CV risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Further large-scale comparative studies are needed to better understand obesity's impact on CV outcomes in the transgender population.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100977,"journal":{"name":"Obesity Pillars","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368124000275/pdfft?md5=4460e8fc1241a33e546388709c24e110&pid=1-s2.0-S2667368124000275-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142021067","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What influences patient decisions when selecting an obesity treatment?","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100123","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100123","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>The objectives of this study were to understand patient preferences for obesity treatments, to describe how patients choose treatment options, and what factors influence their decisions.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This participatory action research used purposeful sampling to recruit 10 patients with complications of obesity. Photovoice was used as the qualitative research methodology. Recruitment took place in specialist clinics for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. Two males and eight females aged 18–75 years, with a BMI greater than 35 kg/m² were recruited. Participants watched a 60-min ​video explaining nutritional, pharmacological, and surgical therapies in equipoise. Data was collected using photographs with a disposal camera followed by one-to-one semi-structured interviews. Afterward, this analysis utilised reflective thematic analysis.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Five main themes were identified that influenced patients' decisions when selecting an obesity treatment: 1] Accessibility issues, 2] Polypharmacy, 3] Fears around future health 4] Lack of Support 5] Information Mismanagement.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The themes identified in this study represent the patients’ voices for those living with obesity complications and what influences their decisions on treatment options. The findings underscore the need for a holistic and patient-centred approach to the management of obesity and its associated complications. Patient-centred care including knowledge, health literacy, support, and participation is essential to providing effective care for patients with obesity to make decisions between treatment options.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100977,"journal":{"name":"Obesity Pillars","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368124000251/pdfft?md5=ffaae5f6be5df79ea2acc3b2979555dc&pid=1-s2.0-S2667368124000251-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142086845","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Frequently asked questions to the 2023 obesity medicine association position statement on compounded peptides: A call for action","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100122","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100122","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>In 2023, the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) published “Compounded peptides: An Obesity Medicine Association Position Statement.” Since this publication, the use of compounded peptides for the treatment of obesity has continued to evolve, leading to additional confusion and questions from obesity medicine clinicians and their patients.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This frequently asked questions (FAQ) document and “Call for Action” commentary is based upon the existing evidence and practical clinical experiences of the authors.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>This FAQ is intended to provide insights beyond the original 2023 OMA Position Statement regarding the use of “compounded peptides” for treating obesity. Three obstacles impair patient access to highly effective peptide anti-obesity medications: insufficient production especially during times of high demand, high costs, and lack of clarity surrounding the role of compounded peptides. Solutions to enhance patient access to these medications lie within the existing legal and regulatory framework and Food and Drug Administration policies. Implementing these solutions necessitates dispelling misinformation and providing clear guidance on the appropriate prescribing and administration of compounded peptides, particularly during times of acknowledged shortage.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Among stakeholders with aligned priorities, challenges can often be overcome by collaboration and communication. Towards the goal of providing patient-centered care, the OMA calls on applicable stakeholders (e.g., pharmaceutical companies, compounding pharmacy organizations, health insurance companies, and the Food and Drug Administration) to work collaboratively to achieve a consensus that improves patient access to safe anti-obesity medications. The purpose of this “Call to Action” is to ask stakeholders to provide clinicians and their patients clarity regarding the role of compounded peptide anti-obesity medications during times of FDA-acknowledged shortages. Finally, this FAQ review provides clinicians with a simple and practical checklist respective to the potential use of compounded peptides.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100977,"journal":{"name":"Obesity Pillars","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266736812400024X/pdfft?md5=036beb61961b280a3f8c36446a81b826&pid=1-s2.0-S266736812400024X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141963458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary intake by patients taking GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists: A narrative review and discussion of research needs","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100121","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100121","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are increasingly common in the United States and worldwide. Because both conditions are associated with serious health consequences, weight reduction is recommended by professional medical and nutrition societies to improve outcomes. Due to the striking efficacy of glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and dual mechanism glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GIP/GLP-1RAs) for weight reduction and glycemic control, there is increased utilization for patients with obesity and/or T2DM. Yet, the impact of these medications on dietary intake is less understood.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This narrative literature review summarizes clinical studies quantifying and characterizing dietary intake in people with obesity and/or T2DM using GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 RAs.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Though data from these studies reveal that total caloric intake was reduced by 16–39 %, few studies evaluated the actual composition of the diet.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Further research is needed to understand the unique nutritional needs of adults on GLP-1 or dual GIP/GLP-1RAs and to support the development of nutritional guidelines for these individuals.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100977,"journal":{"name":"Obesity Pillars","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368124000238/pdfft?md5=059828a6485610b59b26e92bdff236ac&pid=1-s2.0-S2667368124000238-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141848925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Navigating coverage: A qualitative study exploring the perceived impact of an insurance company policy to discontinue coverage of antiobesity medication","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100120","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100120","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Obesity rates continue to rise in the United States. Treatment includes modification of diet, exercise, behavioral modification and medical consideration including anti-obesity medications. However, multiple highly effective anti-obesity medications are expensive and with that we see insurers opting out of coverage of these medications. This has led to patients having to abruptly stop treatment with these medications. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of non-medical discontinuance of obesity medication among patients in medical weight management programs.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This is a qualitative descriptive study. Semistructured interviews were completed with participants in an academic medical weight management clinic. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Themes were identified by members of the study team through qualitative content analysis. Participants were on or about to start anti-obesity medications and were from a single insurance company which cut coverage to all anti-obesity medications.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Twenty-two insured patients from across the state either currently taking or intending to take anti-obesity medications, participated. All participants were female. Few participants said they could afford the cost of the medication. Four main themes emerged: 1) Feelings of hope replaced by hopelessness upon loss of medication coverage, 2) Anger regarding the perceived injustice of anti-obesity medication coverage termination, 3) Perceptions of past and present stigma within the healthcare system and insurance company, 4) Generational influences on obesity treatment.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Patients perceive the discontinuation of anti-obesity medication coverage as stigmatizing and unjust, leading to feelings of hopelessness and fear. With more insurance companies denying coverage for these costly medications more information is needed to identify best ways to address the loss of coverage with patients. Clinical management of these patients should incorporate evidence-based obesity treatments while navigating insurance constraints.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100977,"journal":{"name":"Obesity Pillars","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368124000226/pdfft?md5=145938bf3166d5bc104c7c7b18584130&pid=1-s2.0-S2667368124000226-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141845379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}