United States: the strategies of using drugs like Wegovy to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes of people have extended. Still, research reveals low compliance with these medications after admission for a sufficient timeframe.
Key Findings
A recent analysis of health insurance claims revealed that 58% of patients prescribed GLP-1 medications used the treatment for less than 12 weeks, indicating a failure in the initial phase of the weight loss treatment plan.
This finding is significant because it is often used as a benchmark to assess the effectiveness of a treatment in achieving clinically significant weight loss.
Despite these medications being gradually increased to the prescribed dosage, less than 30 percent of patients completed the course, with fewer than 30 remaining on the treatment regimen for at least four weeks to achieve the prescribed dosage.
The study drew evidence from anonymized pharmacy and medical claim records of 170,000 patients under Blue Cross Blue Shield plans with GLP-1 prescriptions for weight management from 2014 to 2023.
Dr. Disha Narang, an endocrinologist and director of obesity medicine, emphasized that these are long-term medications for treating a chronic disease and should be viewed as a marathon, not a sprint.
Reasons for Early Discontinuation
Patients may discontinue treatment due to various reasons such as frustration with the treatment, lack of patient engagement, time, costs, and perceived results.
According to a new poll by KFF, just over half of adults who have taken injectable weight loss drugs believe they were useful, with significantly lower optimism among former users.
Side effects, although mostly mild and short-term, including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation, can lead people to discontinue treatment. In a recent trial of Wegovy, the longest trial conducted on obesity drugs, 17 percent of participants discontinued the trial due to side effects.
Addressing Challenges
Providers can effectively address deterrence with proper counseling and frequent touchpoints to manage side effects, expectations, and improvements in metabolic comorbidities.
Each individual responds differently to treatment, so a personalized approach is necessary to weigh the costs and benefits of treatment for each patient.
Wraparound support services, including lifestyle management, nutrition, diet, and side effect management, can make a significant difference in treatment success.
Cost is a significant barrier, as a month of GLP-1s can cost around USD 1,000 on average. Understanding the success factors and ensuring the investment pays off is crucial for patients and employers making decisions about treatment.