New obesity research published recently has shown that 23 per cent weight loss, a 94 per cent reduction in diabetes, and substantial quality of life gains are maintained after three years if an obesity medication is continued.
The research published in The New England Journal of Medicine was carried out on tirzepatide, a new obesity medication, which is taken weekly by injection and manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Lilly.
Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (IrSPEN) spokesperson and Obesity expert Prof Carel le Roux, who is a co-author of the paper, said the research shows the effectiveness of patients continuing to take medication rather than just for shorter periods.
“The findings show that weight loss was the same after one and three years, suggesting that continuing medication achieves weight loss stability,” he said. “If 100 people with prediabetes and obesity are treated for three years with the medication, only one will develop diabetes in comparison with 13 patients if they were not treated.
“While weight loss is a marker of the effectiveness of a treatment, the real value for patients are the substantial functional gains (improved quality of life) they achieve because of their weight loss is sustained. Patients tell us the biggest benefit is that they can do things again, play with their children or grandchildren and go out with friends.”
IrSPEN spokesperson and bariatric surgeon Prof Helen Heneghan commented: “Having more effective treatments for obesity, which can maintain weight loss and health benefits similar to bariatric surgery, can only be helpful to patients with the disease of obesity, especially those that also have the complications of obesity.”
IrSPEN spokesperson and dietitian Dr Werd Al-Najim commented: “These long-term results are reassuring because there were no new safety concerns, and the medications were well tolerated. It is especially reassuring that there was no difference in nutritional deficiencies compared to those treated with the placebo.”
IrSPEN member, GP and specialist in Obesity Management Dr Mick Crotty added: “Like treatments for other chronic medical conditions, obesity medications only work while patients take them. Hence, long-term use is required to maintain the health benefits. An issue with obesity treatment is that many people do not continue them long-term. This low adherence is affected by many factors, including high costs to patients, shortages of the newer medications, side-effects, and a lack of awareness that obesity is a medical condition.”
