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Observational Study
. 2024 Dec;32(12):2246-2254.
doi: 10.1002/oby.24169. Epub 2024 Oct 30.

Twelve-month analysis of real-world evidence from a telehealth obesity-treatment provider using antiobesity medications

Jamy D Ard  1 , Young-Rock Hong  2 , Gary D Foster  3   4 , Adam Medcalf  3 , Spencer Nadolsky  3 , Michelle I Cardel  3   5   6
Affiliations
Observational Study

Twelve-month analysis of real-world evidence from a telehealth obesity-treatment provider using antiobesity medications

Jamy D Ard et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2024 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe weight changes in members of a large-scale telehealth obesity-treatment provider who were using antiobesity medications (AOMs).

Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed real-world data from adults who initiated AOM treatment with the WeightWatchers (WW) Clinic telehealth program between January 2022 and July 2023 (n = 53,590). The main outcomes were changes in body weight over 12 months, side effects over follow-up, and medication usage patterns.

Results: The 53,590 patients who initiated treatment were predominantly female (88.6%), with a mean BMI of 36.9 kg/m2. Mean (SD) treatment duration was 5.3 (4.3) months. Program retention rates based on the number of patients whose time from enrollment was at least 3, 6, 9, and 12 months were 78% (n = 39,907/51,247), 63% (n = 25,515/40,203), 58% (n = 15,472/26,794), and 77% (n = 6459/8394), respectively. Average weight loss was 8.9% at 3 months (n = 37,565), 14.1% at 6 months (n = 24,140), 17.7% at 9 months (n = 15,169), and 19.4% at 12 months (n = 6089). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1-RA)-based treatments were predominant. Side effects were consistent with the classes of medications used, and frequency declined over time.

Conclusions: This real-world analysis of a telehealth-delivered obesity-treatment program demonstrated outcomes consistent with recent phase 3 clinical trials of AOMs, suggesting generalizability beyond clinical trial and in-person settings.

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Conflict of interest statement

Jamy D. Ard reports research support from Nestlé Health Science, Eli Lilly and Company, Epitomee Medical Ltd, UnitedHealth Group Inc., Novo Nordisk A/S, KVK Tech, and WW International, Inc.; he serves as a consultant for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Brightseed, Boehringer Ingelheim, Intuitive Health, Novo Nordisk A/S, Eli Lilly and Company, and WW International. He did not receive payment for any work related to this study or manuscript. Spencer Nadolsky, Gary D. Foster, Michelle I. Cardel, and Adam Medcalf are employees and shareholders at WW International. Young‐Rock Hong served as a consultant for WW International on this manuscript. He reported receiving grants from the American Gastroenterological Association Health Disparities Award and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and Pfizer's Conquer Cancer collaboration.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Study sample selection flowchart.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Weight change for (A) patients with treatment initiation and (B) those with complete 12‐month data. In panel A, “No. of participants in program” refers to the number of individuals who had an enrollment period sufficient for the time span evaluated (the numerator) out of the total number of patients whose time from enrollment was at least 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, including those who prematurely discontinued the program (the denominator). “No. of participants analyzed” refers to those who had an enrollment period sufficient for the time span evaluated and no missing data for the weight outcome at each data analysis time point (the numerator). In panel B, “No. of participants completed 12‐month follow‐up” refers to those who had an enrollment of at least 12 months and weight‐outcome data at 12 months (the numerator) out of the total number of patients whose time from enrollment was at least 12 months, including those who prematurely discontinued the program (the denominator). “No. of participants analyzed” refers to those who completed 12‐month follow‐up and had complete weight data at the given time point and thus were included in the analysis. [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Monthly reports of side effects by type of medication among participants with complete 12‐month data since treatment initiation. [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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