2076-LB: Physician Views on Management of Patients with Both Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes (PwOT2D) in the U.S. and Germany

Obesity is a key risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and treating obesity is central to its management. In our study, we aimed to understand how anti-obesity medications (AOMs) impact US and German healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) views on managing patients with both obesity and Type 2 Diabetes (PwOT2D).

Data are from an online medical chart review study conducted among 141 primary care physicians (PCPs) and 128 endocrinologists treating PwOT2D in the US and Germany from Oct-Dec 2023. Physicians were screened for caseload.

A significantly higher percentage (p<0.01) of sampled US endocrinologists (66%, n=79) and PCPs (58%, n=71) reported higher agreement to ‘I proactively prescribe weight-loss strategies to prevent weight-related comorbidities’ compared to the German endocrinologists (29%, n=49) and PCPs (30%, n=70) [‘higher agreement’ based on top 2 box (6-7) of 7-point scale, where 7=completely agree]. A significantly higher percentage (p<0.01) of the US endocrinologists (62%) and PCPs (51%) also agreed (same scale) that ‘AOMs are top-of-mind when managing PwO with weight-related complications’ compared to the German endocrinologists (20%) and PCPs (24%). This aligns with our findings on HCP management of PwO, whereby 81% of sampled German HCPs would recommend lifestyle changes (versus 51% of US HCPs) and only 37% would prescribe AOMs (versus 56% of US HCPs). When specifically asked about treatment strategies for PwOT2D, 45% of the German endocrinologists would prioritize treating T2D over obesity; this is notably higher than the US sample (15%), where instead 80% of this cohort would choose to treat both conditions together.

In this study, there are significant differences in the cited approach to managing obesity and related comorbidities such as T2D between sampled German and US HCPs. US HCPs are more likely to prescribe AOMs for weight loss, but also consider their impact on other weight related comorbidities when doing so compared to German HCPs.