Adherence
Discontinuation of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) is significantly higher and reinitiation is significantly lower in patients without type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to those with T2D, driven largely by insurance coverage and cost barriers rather than efficacy.
If you are taking a GLP-1 RA for weight loss without diabetes, be aware that insurance coverage is a major hurdle. Discontinuation rates are significantly higher for non-diabetics, often due to cost. If you face financial barriers, discuss coverage options or assistance programs with your provider immediately, as these factors heavily influence long-term adherence.
Most patients with overweight or obesity discontinue GLP-1 RA within 1 year, but those without T2D discontinue at higher rates and reinitiate at lower rates. Inequities in access and adherence to effective treatments have the potential exacerbate disparities in obesity.
Why this rating
Large retrospective cohort study (n=96,544) using real-world EHR data, though not a randomized controlled trial.
Source
Discontinuation and Reinitiation of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Among US Adults with Overweight or Obesity
Patricia J Rodriguez et al. · medRxiv · 2024
DOI 10.1101/2024.07.26.24311058
More from this paper
- Greater weight loss during treatment is associated with a lower likelihood of discontinuing GLP-1 RA, and weight regain after discontinuation is associated with a higher likelihood of reinitiating treatment.Good
- Moderate or severe gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events during GLP-1 RA treatment are associated with a higher hazard of discontinuation and a lower rate of reinitiation.Good
Related findings · Adherence
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- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
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