Original Research
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
08:30 AM–10:00 AM
Abstract
Introduction: In 2020, U.S. obesity prevalence was 41.9%. Despite more FDA-approved medications for obesity and overweight in the past decade, there are limited studies in select settings evaluating the impact of pharmacist-provided weight management (WM).
Research Question or Hypothesis: The study aimed to assess the impact of pharmacist-provided WM via a collaborative drug therapy protocol across Community Physician Network (CPN) primary care.
Study Design: Retrospective chart review.
Methods: Data was extracted via patient report criteria of having a CPN WM visit, prescribed WM pharmacological therapy, and body mass index (BMI) =30 kg/m2 or =27 kg/m2 with weight-related complication between 5/1/23 to 11/24/23. The primary objective was percentage change in total body weight lost in patients =18 years of age seen by their primary care physician (PCP) vs. ambulatory care pharmacist (ACP) vs. CCRN and ACP. Secondary objectives included cardiometabolic parameters changes, weight loss at 3 and 6 months, and weight loss barriers. Descriptive statistics were completed, and student’s T-test was used as appropriate.
Results: Of 58 patients included, baseline BMI was 39.77 kg/m2 in the ACP group and 36.61 kg/m2 in the PCP group. The CCRN and ACP service adoption did not occur during the study period and resulted in no patients meeting this inclusion criteria. There was an average of 6.75% total body weight lost in the ACP group vs. 4.5% total body weight lost in the PCP group (p=0.02). The variety of WM medications prescribed during the study period was eight in the ACP group vs. five in the PCP group. The ACP group noted barriers to weight loss including food cravings (n=13), limited mobility for exercise (n=13), lack of time (n=9), and lack of motivation (n=5).
Conclusion: Pharmacist-provided WM improved patient outcomes compared to physician alone in CPN primary care, including clinically significant weight loss, a wider range of medications utilized, and weight loss barrier assessment.
Presenting Author
Sarah Kain Pharm.D., BCACPCommunity Health Network
Authors
Sarah Lowe Pharm.D.
Community Health Network
Nick Sciacca Pharm.D., BCACP
Community Health Network
Benjamin Yu Pharm.D., BCACP
Community Health Network