“Bariatric surgery for stage 3 or higher… drug treatment should be prioritized for stage 2”
input 2024.10.22 19:35
input 2024.10.22 19:35correction 2024.10.22 19:38
Views 1
With the launch of the obesity treatment Wegobi, treatment options for severely obese patients have increased. Photo = Clip Art Korea
With the recent launch of obesity treatment Wegobi in Korea, treatment options for severely obese patients have increased. Until now, experts have recommended bariatric surgery for severely obese patients. However, as the prescription standards for surgeries covered by National Health Insurance and Wegobi, which are not covered by National Health Insurance, are applied equally, patients have another option.
So, which option is better for severely obese patients to choose between surgical treatment and pharmacological treatment with obesity?
WeGobee has a similar effect to the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) hormone, which is involved in regulating blood sugar and appetite, making you feel full even when you eat less and suppressing appetite. The injection can be administered once a week to subcutaneous fat tissue such as the abdomen and thighs. In a clinical trial conducted for 68 weeks, it was confirmed that when Wigobi was administered to obese patients once a week, body weight decreased by an average of 14.9%.
Not everyone can hit the above hurdle. It must be used according to a doctor’s prescription and a pharmacist’s dispensing/medication instructions. It is approved for use only in adult obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/㎡ or more.
Edit: Comedy.com.
According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Wigobi can be prescribed to adult obese patients with a body mass index of 30 kg/㎡ or more. Even if the body mass index is between 27 kg/m2 and less than 30 kg/m2, obese patients with one or more weight-related comorbidities such as high blood pressure or diabetes can receive a prescription from a doctor.
According to the Korean Obesity Society, a body mass index of 23-24.9㎏/㎡ is considered pre-obesity, a body mass index of 25-29.9㎏/㎡ is stage 1 obesity, a body mass index of 30-34.9㎏/㎡ is stage 2 obesity, and a body mass index of 35㎏/㎡ or more is stage 3. Defined as obesity. Patients with stage 2 obesity, that is, obesity over 30kg/㎡, are currently classified as severely obese.
What is noteworthy is that the National Health Insurance reimbursement standard for bariatric surgery is the same as the Wigobi approval standard.
Currently, bariatric surgery is reimbursed based on body mass index and comorbidities. If a patient who is severely obese and suffers from comorbidities such as high blood pressure or diabetes, has a body mass index of 27.5 kg/m2 or more and cannot control blood sugar levels even with existing medical treatment and lifestyle changes, health insurance applies to surgical procedures for curative purposes.
Obesity surgery is a surgery that reduces the volume of the stomach or changes the path food goes down, causing hormonal changes in the body. This means that the enlarged stomach is removed so that one can feel full even after eating a small amount of food. Although there are differences for each individual, on average, a weight loss effect of 15 to 30 kg or more is observed for about 6 months to 1 year after surgery.
Experts say that a cautious approach is needed when it comes to surgery and the use of Wegobi. The treatment method needed varies depending on the patient.
A professor of endocrinology and metabolism at a domestic university hospital said, “According to the U.S. guidelines, it is recommended that patients with stage 3 obesity or higher should first consider bariatric surgery, and patients with stage 2 obesity, which is lower than stage 3, should first consider drug treatment.” It is known that in patients with this condition, the weight loss effect is reduced by up to 10% when using Wigobi. “In that case, it is difficult to say that there is a significant weight loss effect,” he explained.
He continued, “When you stop taking drugs, you gain weight again, but the difference between surgical treatment and drug treatment is that if you manage it well after surgery, you can continue to maintain it.” He added, “Surgery is covered by insurance, and Wigobi is not covered by insurance.” He said, “From a perspective, having surgery can be more positive than getting an injection.”
On the other hand, there are also positive opinions about the Wigobi prescription.
Heo Yang-im, a professor of family medicine at CHA Bundang Hospital of CHA Medical University, said, “In terms of weight loss, it is true that gastric bypass can lose as much weight as surgery. “It is expected that about 15% of body weight will be lost when using Wegobi for about 1 year and 6 months,” he said. “A drug has been released that is as effective as surgery, and for patients with obesity level 3 or higher, that is, patients with a good prognosis who need obesity treatment, the drug is also good.” “It becomes a treatment option,” he said.
He continued, “Depending on the patient, there are cases where the patient needs to lose a certain amount of weight through drug treatment and then undergo surgery. “Different treatments must be chosen depending on the patient’s case,” he said. “Each time a new drug is developed, the chance of finding a treatment that suits me increases, so it is important for patients to be managed in a way that suits them through medical treatment.”
Copyrightⓒ Honest knowledge for health. Comedy.com kormedi.com / Reproduction and redistribution, AI learning and use prohibited
