Personalised long-term support for sustainable weight loss.

Yazen – Empowering long-term commitment to GLP-1 therapy

At Yazen, we know that achieving sustainable weight loss requires more than just medication—it demands a comprehensive approach that supports patients every step of the way. That is why our unique Yazen model integrates the expertise of a multidisciplinary team, combining medical professionals, YazenCoaches, psychologists,  dietitians, and physiotherapists to provide a holistic support system tailored to each individual's needs. Our program is designed for a longer-term commitment, recognising that achieving and maintaining a healthy weight often takes more than a year^1-3. A woman with a BMI of 34 will need to lose between 25-30 kilos to reach a healthy weight, and even if that could be reached within a year, it is important to learn how to maintain the new healthy weight.

Our dedication to patient success is evident in our remarkable results:

‍70%* of patients continue their GLP-1 therapy journey with us after one year, benefiting from the continuous support and personalised care our team offers. We understand that sticking with GLP-1 therapy is essential for long-term weight loss and preventing weight regain.

At Yazen, we keep our patients motivated and confident on their journey to better health by creating an environment filled with encouragement, regular progress monitoring, and proactive problem-solving.

Our multidisciplinary approach tackles the key factors that affect persistence: patient motivation, effective communication, and customised care plans. YazenCoaches and medical doctors deliver continuous support, adapt treatment strategies as necessary, and address challenges to ensure each patient feels empowered and understood. When patients experience positive outcomes and feel genuinely supported, they are more likely to stay committed to their treatment plan.

Numerous biological factors make weight loss challenging for many individuals. Experts at Yazen, who specialise in obesity medicine, assist patients in determining the underlying reasons for their weight gain and customise an individual treatment plan accordingly. All prescriptions are given based on assessment by a medical doctor, who chooses the most suitable medication for the patient's needs, not advocating any specific medication over another. 

Examples of medication for obesity treatment are GLP-1 antagonists. Today, there are also new substances being added to obesity medication, such as GIP.

In 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist for obesity treatment.  Clinical trials for GLP-1 obesity treatments have often shown significant weight loss and adherence rates exceeding 85%¹. However, there is limited information about adherence, persistence, and switch rates for GLP-1 obesity treatments in real-world settings. This article evaluates GLP-1 therapy persistence, adherence, and switch rates in a real-world cohort of individuals without diabetes using these medications for obesity management.

Understanding GLP-1 therapy for obesity treatment

GLP-1 receptor agonists offer a promising approach to obesity treatment. They mimic the action of the natural hormone GLP-1, which regulates appetite and food intake. Enhancing your body's natural response to food, these medications help you feel fuller for longer, thus reducing calorie intake and promoting weight loss. While clinical trials show significant weight loss and high adherence rates, it’s essential to understand how these results translate into real-world settings, where you may face various challenges in adhering to your prescribed treatment regimen.

A comprehensive approach to obesity management:

GLP-1 therapy is valuable but not the sole option for obesity management. A comprehensive approach often includes medical interventions, lifestyle changes, and behavioural support.

In addition to GLP-1 therapy, a successful approach to obesity management preferably includes:

1. Diet and exercise: A balanced diet and regular physical activity are foundational to weight loss. Collaborating with healthcare providers to create personalised plans is crucial for success.^4-5,7 
2. Behavioural therapy: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) addresses the psychological aspects contributing to obesity, focusing on changing eating habits, improving self-control, and developing coping strategies for managing stress and emotional eating.⁶
3. Pharmacotherapy: Other medications, including appetite suppressants and metabolism-altering drugs, might be considered in conjunction with GLP-1 agonists.¹  Discussion with your healthcare provider is essential.
4. Bariatric surgery: For severe obesity cases unresponsive to other treatments, surgical options may be an option.¹⁰
5. Support groups and coaching: Programs like YazenCoaches offer motivation and guidance to keep patients on track.^4-5,7

Adherence to GLP-1 therapy: overcoming challenges

Adherence is critical to GLP-1 therapy success.  However, side effects, medication costs, and understanding the importance of consistent use can affect adherence. Effective strategies to promote adherence include:

1. Education: Thorough information about GLP-1 therapy empowers informed decision-making.
2. Side effect management: Promptly addressing side effects improves comfort levels and treatment adherence.
3. Regular follow-ups: Scheduled check-ins enable progress monitoring and necessary treatment adjustments. Care delivery via a digital platform facilitates a regular follow-up with each member of the patient's care team.

Persistence and Switching Rates in GLP-1 Therapy

Maintaining long-term GLP-1 therapy (persistence) is crucial for sustained weight loss. Factors influencing persistence include motivation, support systems, and perceived treatment effectiveness. Healthcare providers play a vital role in supporting persistence through encouragement, progress monitoring, and proactive problem-solving. Switching rates—the frequency of changing medications or discontinuing therapy—are also important to consider.  Reasons for switching include inadequate weight loss, side effects, or insurance changes. Addressing these can help find the most suitable GLP-1 therapy.^1-9

Building trust and engagement for treatment success

Trust and engagement are vital for effective obesity treatment. Personalized support from your YazenCoach fosters trust and accountability, crucial for effective and sustainable weight loss. This positive treatment experience encourages a sustainable commitment to weight loss.^4-5,7

Conclusion: Achieving sustainable weight loss with GLP-1 therapy

Yazen's approach is grounded in science. Research consistently shows that behavioural changes⁶, reinforced over a more extended period, lead to better weight loss maintenance and overall health. Patients can effectively manage their weight and improve their well-being by integrating GLP-1 therapy with continuous personalised support and lifestyle modifications^1-5. The 70%* still in our program after a year, underscores the importance of commitment and community in achieving lasting health outcomes. With the right tools and encouragement, sustainable weight loss is not just a goal; it's an attainable reality.

*Data on file on more than 20.000 patients, yet to be published. Data partly presented by Yazen in a poster on ECO, Venice, 2024.

‍References:

1. Gleason et al. 2024. Real-world persistence and adherence to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists among obese commercially insured adults without diabetes. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 30(8):860-867. https://doi.org/10.18553/jmcp.2024.23332
2. Pi-Sunyer et al. 2015. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(1), 11–22. https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa1411892 
3. Wilding et al. 2021. Once Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989–1002. https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183 
4. Flint et al. 2023. The need to personalised approaches for the prevention and management of obesity. Clinical Medicine, Volume 58, 101944. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101944
5. Luig et al. 2018. Personalizing obesity assessment and care planning in primary care: patient experience and outcomes in everyday life and health. Clin Obes.8(6):411-423. https://doi.org/10.1111/cob.12283 
6. Matthews et al. 2024. Supporting Sustainable Health Behavior Change: The Whole is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes. 8(3):263-275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2023.10.002
7. Brown et al. 2024. “From evidence to practice” – Insights from the multidisciplinary team on the optimal integration of GLP-1 receptor agonists in obesity management services. Nutr Bull, 49: 257-263. https://doi.org/10.1111/nbu.12700 
8. Popoviciu et al. 2023. Emerging Role of GLP-1 Agonists in Obesity: A Comprehensive Review of Randomised Controlled Trials. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 24, 10449. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310449
9. Gasoyan et al. 2024. Early- and later-stage persistence with antiobesity medications: A retrospective cohort study. Obesity (Silver Spring). 32(3):486-493. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.23952 
10. Singh et al. 2024. Contemporary Management of Obesity: A Comparison of Bariatric Metabolic Surgery and Novel Incretin Mimetic Drugs.Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics. 26(9):673-685. https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2024.012

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