Study finds that individuals who utilize GLP-1s for weight reduction often discontinue therapy prematurely, with outcomes differing among individuals.
A study on health insurance claims disclosed on Tuesday revealed that the majority of individuals employed with GLP-1 drugs - approximately 58% - adhered to their prescribed symptom-management regimens for a meager 12 weeks, falling short of the crucial benchmark suggested by professional groups when reassessing the effectiveness of therapy.
Patients start by taking a minimal dose of these medications, gradually increasing it until they reach their target dose. However, the study demonstrates that roughly a third of individuals - exceeding 30% - were forced to discontinue treatment within the initial four weeks, prior to their purported maximized dosage.
This data consists of pharmaceutical and health-related claims from roughly 170,000 customers with Blue Cross Blue Shield policies who took GLP-1 medications designed to address weight management from 2014 to 2023.
Stressing the importance of this chronic condition treatment, Dr. Disha Narang, an endocrinologist and Chicago-based director of obesity medicine at Endeavor Health, who was not included in the study, declared, "These are medications for a long-term disease. This is a marathon, not a sprint. When we treat it as a sprint, I think patients are likely to get off medication much faster."
Impatience with results and common side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation within the early stages of treatment might be potential factors leading to discontinuance. Longest Wegovy clinical trial data revealed that 17% of patients decided to no longer participate due to side effects.
Professionals suggest that these inhibitors could potentially be managed through skilled counseling from professionals.
"With less frequent engagements and smaller health care networks, it's tougher to manage side effects, set realistic expectations, and monitor for improvements in other related health concerns," Dr. Jody Dushay, an endocrinologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, who was not associated with the study, said.
Each person's reaction to therapy and their perception of its advantages and drawbacks differs.
"There's not a singular line in the sand for every individual. Doctors and patients must evaluate all available data and make a treatment consensus together," Dushay continued.
The study conducted by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association highlights the crucial role providers play in assisting patients in staying on track with their GLP-1 management.
Those who interacted with their providers less often and resided in regions with exploration disparities were more inclined to stop GLP-1 treatments earlier. Each consecutive check-up visit enhanced a patient's likelihood of persisting on the therapy by 60%, Dr. Razia Hashmi, the association's vice president of clinical affairs, said.
Although most prescriptions were written by general practitioners, those prescribed GLP-1s by endocrinologists or professionals versed in weight-management were more prone to adhere to extended periods of targeted treatment.
"Wraparound support services like lifestyle adjustment management, nutrition assistance, diet management, and side effect management are vital, [and] health equity matters. Transportation, food access, and socioeconomic status all contribute to these outcomes," Hashmi explained.
Despite the expensive nature of GLP-1 prescriptions, monthly GLP-1 medications can typically total around $1,000, the research assessing individuals with comprehensive insurance coverage, which may have influenced cost factors. Contingent on out-of-pocket spending for medication, those within this research sample were not paying for their treatment.
Nonetheless, GLP-1 treatments represent a substantial outlay.
"It's essential for both employers reviewing the decision and individual patients to understand success factors. We want the investment to pay off," Hashmi concluded.
An additional study supports the theory that GLP-1 therapies yield greater benefits when used persistently and consistently.
The first comprehensive study on GLP-1 efficiency exposed that patients utilizing these drugs had dropped roughly 1.4% of their initial body weight after three months. This slowly increased, leveling off at approximately 3% weight loss after an entire year of treatment. The data review was conducted by Dandelion Health, a healthcare analytics organization, and is based on the electronic records of 16,858 customers who were prescribed a GLP-1 between 2019 and 2023.
When compared to a group of individuals possessing comparable health characteristics including age, ethnicity, diabetes occurrence, body mass index, prior bariatric surgery, and related health problems, the study revealed that those taking GLP-1 drugs lost approximately twice as much weight on average.
GLP-1 agonists are a type of injected medication that has been acquiring popularity due to their remarkable weight loss capabilities. A few strong medicines like Wegovy and Zepbound have successfully helped participants shed at least 10% of their initial weight during clinical trials. However, the real-world profitable nature of these medications might not match the impressive weight loss results of these studies, according to the latest report.
Furthermore, it is essential to comprehend that the effectiveness of GLP-1 treatment can significantly differ from one person to another.
"Some people are under-responders, which means their body doesn't respond well to the medication, while others are over-responders, where the medication affects them more than it should. There are also those who react as expected," said Narang, a health expert.
Referring to the Dandelion Health data, the top 10% of individuals reacting well to GLP-1s demonstrated the same weight loss performance as clinical studies, while the lowest 10% saw no weight change or even gained weight over time.
On a positive note, GLP-1 medicines offer valuable advantages beyond weight control. For instance, these drugs can contribute to better cardiovascular and liver health. Even for individuals who fail to achieve the desired weight loss, these treatments might still lead to significant health improvements.
"It's crucial to avoid the scale as the only indication for continuing this medication. Some people might experience gradual, but consistent advancement, which could necessitate continuing the treatment. Also, discussing the rationale of using this medication with your physician can help you understand better," according to Dushay, a medical professional.
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Despite the study showing that many individuals discontinue GLP-1 therapy prematurely, Dr. Razia Hashmi suggests that regular check-ups with providers can increase the likelihood of patients persisting on the treatment by 60%.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of GLP-1 treatment can significantly differ from one person to another, with some individuals experiencing little to no weight loss, while others experience substantial improvements.
Source: edition.cnn.com
