Twenty-Four Month Outcomes From a Real-World Telehealth Obesity Treatment Clinic Using Obesity Medications.

Ruddiman, Kathleen R; Hong, Young-Rock; Ard, Jamy; Jones, Rebecca; Medcalf, Adam; Foster, Gary D; Alkhaddo, Jamil; Cardel, Michelle · Obesity (Silver Spring) · 2026

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Abstract

Antiobesity medications (AOMs) are indicated for long-term use; however, evidence of their real-world long-term efficacy is limited. This study describes clinical outcomes from 18- and 24-month use of AOMs in a telemedicine weight management clinic. This retrospective observational study analyzed data from adult participants who utilized AOMs at a telemedicine weight management clinic between January 2022 and December 2024. Weight change analyses were conducted for those maintaining AOM use for ≥ 18 months (n = 11,675) and ≥ 24 months (n = 4317). Weight outcomes were assessed across all AOMs and stratified based on classification of AOMs utilized. Across all AOMs, average total body weight reduction of -18.53% (95% CI: -18.74%, -18.32%) was observed at 18 months and -20.27% (95% CI: -20.63%, -19.92%) seen at 24 months. For those taking long-acting AOMs, outcomes trended toward greater weight loss in comparison with participants using oral AOMs. This real-world analysis found 18- and 24-month weight losses comparable to those demonstrated in clinical trials, supporting the long-term efficacy of AOMs provided by a telemedicine weight management clinic. Continued weight loss was demonstrated between 18 and 24 months, suggesting sustained engagement with AOMs and a telemedicine weight management clinic support continued weight loss in the long term.

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