Patient perspectives on incretin-based weight loss medications and relationship with demographic factors

Treatment of obesity has been transformed by the recent approval of incretin-based therapies for weight loss (e.g., glucagon-like peptide 1 agonist semaglutide), but little is known about patient perspectives on these medications.

Between December 2023 and March 2024, healthcare patients from an academic medical center in the Southeast United States with Body Mass Index ≥30 kg/m² completed a cross-sectional online survey on attitudes toward incretin-based medications.

Compared to patients with a bachelor's degree, those without a degree were less likely to be aware of incretin-based pharmacotherapies (96% vs. 78%) and to have discussed pharmacotherapies with a doctor (43% vs. 27%) but had greater interest in using these pharmacotherapies (4.3 vs. 4.7). These pharmacotherapy-related variables did not differ significantly according to gender, race, or financial security. Concerns about side effects, long-term health risks, and potential for weight regain were highly endorsed and were associated with lower interest in using incretin-based therapies and with some demographic factors. Patients reported high interest in lifestyle programs designed for individuals taking anti-obesity medications.

Demographic considerations, notably education level, should be factored into the strategy to promote equitable utilization of incretin-based therapies, particularly as their accessibility expands.