OBJECTIVES: To describe and descriptively compare obesity-related clinical outcomes from a pilot medical weight management program (MWMP) offered by Piedmont Pharmaceutical Care Network, LLC (PPCN) to two self-insured employers.

METHODS: This was an observational, retrospective cohort analysis of health plan members aged ≥18 with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 40kg/m² voluntarily participating in the MWMP, consisting of virtual coaching, weekly check-ins, and quarterly clinical pharmacist visits. Data was collected at biometric screening events/quarterly visits between April 2021-March 2022 and August 2021-July 2022, and was combined for both employers. Three patient cohorts were analyzed: Anti-obesity medication (AOM) Users were prescribed liraglutide or semaglutide injection (indicated for obesity) by a clinician, and had ≥3 fills. Prior AOM Users were started on other AOMs, then switched to liraglutide or semaglutide; Non AOM/MWMP Users did not receive AOMs. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics at the start and end of the pilot MWMP.

RESULTS: Eighty-four patients were included in the analysis: 31 AOM Users, 8 Prior AOM Users, and 45 Non AOM/MWMP Users. Mean age was 46.45, 44.50, and 40.60, respectively; majority were female (60%-88%). Most of AOM Users (77%), 75% of Prior AOM Users, and 100% of Non AOM/MWMP Users were White non-Hispanic. Between the start and end of the program, mean weight loss was 29.15, 18.86, and 0.03 pounds among the AOM Users, Prior AOM Users, and Non AOM/MWMP Users, respectively; BMI changes of -4.43, -2.87, 0.10 kg/m² were observed. Changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (-8.14/-3.24, -5.63/-2.25 and 3.00/-0.56 mmHg), total cholesterol (-24.57, 8.25, and -3.56 mg/dL), and blood glucose (-26.43, 2.50, and -13.00 mg/dL) were observed in each group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Participants in a pilot MWMP who were taking AOMs experienced substantial weight loss and improvements in key clinical measures.