Hormonal
GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are displacing bariatric surgery as the primary obesity treatment in the US, evidenced by a 1451% increase in GLP-1 RA use and a 65% decline in bariatric surgery procedures.
GLP-1 medications are becoming the dominant obesity treatment in the US, largely replacing bariatric surgery in utilization trends. However, surgery remains a crucial option for severe obesity due to its durability, especially if GLP-1 medications are discontinued. Patients should discuss long-term adherence and potential side effects with their providers.
This population-based analysis in the United States highlights a significant shift in obesity treatment, marked by a 65% reduction in bariatric surgery, accompanied by a 14-fold increase in the utilisation of GLP-1 RAs.
Why this rating
Large retrospective cohort study using national claims data (MarketScan IBM) covering 2011-2022, though observational and subject to confounding.
Source
Shifting obesity treatment paradigms: Trends of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists and bariatric surgery in the United States
Ghadeer K. Dawwas et al. · Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism · 2025
DOI 10.1111/dom.16600
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