GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy for obesity via direct-to-consumer telemedicine: Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes
Monika Gratzke, Johannes von Bueren, Edward Garrahy, Bart Calewaert, Finn Abeck, Christian WuelfingObjective
This study aimed to characterize the patient population using a DTC telemedicine platform for obesity treatment with liraglutide, evaluate treatment success and adherence, and assess the side effect profile using patient-reported outcomes.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using anonymized data from 966 patients who received liraglutide prescriptions through a DTC platform between August 2022 and April 2024. Patients completed an initial online questionnaire to assess eligibility, followed by a physician's review. A follow-up questionnaire was administered 50 days after the first prescription to evaluate outcomes, including weight loss, adverse events, and treatment satisfaction.
Results
The majority of patients (70%) had long-standing obesity, with 46.6% having a BMI between 30 and 34.4 kg/m². Most (88.9%) were new to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists therapy. After 50 days, 85.6% of patients reported a weight loss of more than 2 kg, with an average loss of 4.9 kg. Adverse events were reported by 39.8% of patients, primarily gastrointestinal issues. Treatment adherence was high, with 94.1% following the prescribed regimen. Despite adverse events, 86.4% of patients expressed a desire to continue treatment.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates the potential effectiveness and accessibility of DTC telemedicine for obesity treatment using liraglutide, though gastrointestinal side effects were common. The findings support the use of DTC platforms for weight management, yet further research with longer follow-up and professional evaluation is necessary to confirm long-term safety and efficacy.