Characteristics and Weight Loss Practices From a Cohort of 20,000 Patients Using Direct-to-Consumer Telehealth: Observational Cross-sectional Study

Authors

Deborah Bade Horn
Elizabeth Pash
Megan S Zhou
Lauren Broffman
Damian Bialonczyk
Tzvi Doron
Elaine Chiquette

Publication Date

1-5-2023

Journal

JMIR Formative Research

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing prevalence of obesity, the use of pharmacotherapy treatment remains low. Telehealth platforms have the potential to facilitate access to pharmacotherapy interventions, but little is known about telehealth patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes a large patient population taking Plenity, an oral superabsorbent hydrogel (OSH) used in the treatment of excess weight or obesity (BMI 25-40 kg/m

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional assessment of a random sample of 20,000 telehealth patients who completed a structured, web-based visit and received at least one prescription of OSH. Patients were eligible to receive care via telehealth if they were adults, were not pregnant, and had a BMI ≥25 kg/m

RESULTS: Most (15,576/20,000, 77.88%) of the cohort were female, with a mean age of 44 (SD 11) years and a mean BMI of 32.4 (SD 4.1) kg/m

CONCLUSIONS: Data from this large patient cohort supports the potential for telehealth to provide prescriptive weight management treatment to a population seeking care. Patients with preobesity are an undertreated population who actively seek new weight management options. Female participants sought weight management treatment earlier in the disease continuum than males, despite reporting fewer comorbidities.

Keywords

obesity, preobesity, overweight, weight management, direct-to-consumer telehealth, oral superabsorbent hydrogel

Comments

PMID: 36602855