Reprint of: Impact of a pharmacist-led weight management service in a cardiology clinic.

Abstract

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) for weight management require frequent dose titration, patient education, and insurance coverage navigation, which pharmacists are well equipped to manage. Data are lacking regarding the benefit of a pharmacist-managed service using GLP-1 RAs for weight loss in a high-risk cardiac population.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led weight loss service within a cardiology clinic using GLP-1 RAs and lifestyle counseling in patients with overweight and obesity.

Practice description: An outpatient cardiology clinic employs clinical pharmacists who use collaborative practice agreements to provide cardiovascular risk reduction services that did not include weight management at baseline.

Practice innovation: This is the first description of a pharmacist-led weight management clinic using solely GLP-1 RAs in a cardiology practice. Patients were referred to the clinical pharmacist, who initiated and titrated GLP-1 RA and provided lifestyle counseling.

Evaluation methods: This was a single-center, prospective, pre-post analysis of adults with a body mass index of at least 30 kg/m² or 27 kg/m² with a weight-related comorbidity, with a preceding failed dietary effort and insurance coverage for semaglutide (Wegovy, Novo Nordisk) or liraglutide (Saxenda, Novo Nordisk) and managed by a pharmacist. The primary outcome was patients achieving ≥ 5% weight loss at 6 months, assessed via descriptive statistics.

Results: Between March 2022 and March 2023, 204 patients were referred by their cardiologist, and 59 patients started treatment with semaglutide (Wegovy, Novo Nordisk) or liraglutide (Saxenda, Novo Nordisk). A total of 31 patients completed 6 months of treatment at time of study completion, and all achieved ≥ 5% weight loss at 6 months, with a mean weight loss of 12.6%. Glycated hemoglobin improved by 0.6%, low-density lipoprotein by 18 mg/dL, triglycerides by 29 mg/dL, systolic blood pressure by 9 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure by 2 mm Hg.

Conclusion: Pharmacist-led management of GLP-1 RA in patients with obesity or overweight led to clinically meaningful weight loss and improvements in weight-related comorbidities.