Increased use of weight-loss drugs in U.S. healthcare leading to early diagnoses and potential cost savings

From Investing.com: 2024-12-16 21:01:41

Powerful weight-loss drugs are being used more in U.S. healthcare, leading to increased diagnoses of obesity-related conditions like sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. Patients are also taking the drugs to qualify for services like organ transplants and fertility treatments. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly’s drugs have shown significant weight loss results.

While the impact of weight-loss drugs on overall healthcare is uncertain, early diagnoses could lead to long-term cost savings. Patients with obesity often avoid routine care due to stigma, but these drugs are encouraging them to seek preventive health maintenance. The drugs are also being used to help qualify patients for surgeries like organ transplants and joint replacements.

A Truveta analysis found an increase in type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease diagnoses within 15 days of a GLP-1 prescription. The most obese patients were more likely to receive these diagnoses. ResMed, a sleep apnea device company, attributed revenue growth to these drugs. They are also being used as preventative tools, broadening their usage beyond severe cases.

In Chicago, a weight-loss clinic is helping patients qualify for surgeries like organ transplants using GLP-1 drugs. Patients like Bensabio Guajardo, who needed a double lung transplant, lost weight with the drug and successfully underwent surgery. This program has received about 100 referrals from transplant centers in the Chicago area, showing the impact of weight-loss drugs on broader healthcare services.



Read more at Investing.com: Weight-loss drugs draw Americans back to the doctor By Reuters