Background: This study evaluates the effectiveness of virtual obesity programs in Type II Diabetes patients, with a focus on those treated with and without Anti-Obesity Medications (AOM) over 12 months. The integration of telehealth and remote patient monitoring in community clinics is examined as a method to enhance obesity management.
Methods: Participants were adults (≥18 years) with BMI ≥30 kg/m² and starting A1c >6.5, enrolled in an Enara affiliated digital obesity program before March 1st, 2022. Exclusions were made for pregnancy during the study. Patients were categorized based on AOM use, assessing weight change and cardiometabolic markers at 12 months.
Findings: The cohort of 134 patients (92 non-AOM, 42 AOM users) showed no significant difference in weight loss between groups (AOM: -11.15%; non-AOM: -11.19%). Key improvements included A1C (mean reduction: -0.93, p < 0.001), fasting glucose (-30.13, p < 0.001), HDL (+4.3, p < 0.001), and Triglycerides (-48.55, p < 0.001). Notably, AOM users had greater changes in A1C (-1.34 vs -0.61), glucose (-38.77 vs -23.01), HDL (+5.15 vs +3.58), and triglycerides (-54.63 vs -43.59).
Conclusion: Virtual obesity programs in community practices are effective, producing significant weight loss and improved cardiometabolic markers in patients, regardless of AOM use. The addition of AOM showed marginal extra weight loss benefit but notably better cardiometabolic improvements. This underscores the potential of digital health interventions in diabetes and obesity management in primary care and community settings.
M. Bailony: None.
