P1158 - Perceptions and Comfort Status in Prescribing Anti-Obesity Medications: A Multi-Center Survey Among Gastroenterologists and Primary Care Physicians

Kristen Fadel, MD¹, Michelle E.. Lee, MD¹, Anjile An, MPH², Berkeley Limketkai, MD, PhD³, Octavia Pickett-Blakely, MD, MHS⁴, Michele Yeung, MD¹, Adam Buckholz, MD¹, Reem Sharaiha, MD¹, Sonal Kumar, MD¹, Carolyn Newberry, MD^1
1New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY; ²Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY; ³David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; ⁴University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

Introduction: Given the relationship between excess adiposity, current treatment strategies, and digestive health, gastroenterologists (GIs) are increasingly being asked to participate in the management of obesity. Novel anti-obesity medications (AOMs) have proven to be an effective adjunct to lifestyle modifications, with new gut hormone analogues (GLP-1/GIP agonists) delaying gastrointestinal motility and reducing appetite. Perceptions regarding AOMs among GIs in comparison to primary care physicians (PCPs) are not well defined.

Methods: We conducted a survey-based study among GIs and PCPs at three large academic institutions to assess perceptions and attitudes regarding obesity management and AOMs. The online survey consisted of 24 questions assessing practice makeup, patterns and comfort in obesity care. It was distributed electronically over a 24-month period to GI and PCP faculty at three academic institutions. Five-point Likert items were analyzed as continuous variables by an independent t-test and χ(2)-test was used for comparison of proportions.

Results: The total response rate was 27% (103/372), with 25% (34/137) for PCPs and 29% (69/235) for GIs. 46% of survey respondents were female. Although the number of GIs and PCPs who reported caring for patients with obesity was similar (64.1% vs 77%, p=0.18), there was a significant difference in weight loss counseling during visits (24% vs 41%, p=0.041), despite 93% of GIs reporting this was important. Of GIs who did discuss weight loss routinely, only 19% counseled on AOMs compared to 59% of PCPs (p< 0.001). Although 90% of GIs believed AOMs were effective, only 65% believed risks outweighed benefits, and about half (52%) believed that GIs should prescribe them. Only 12% of GIs felt comfortable prescribing AOMs compared to 32% of PCPs (p=0.019), most commonly citing lack of familiarity and training as barriers (65% vs 32%, p=0.002; 26% vs 10%, p=0.031).

Discussion: Recent guidelines have suggested GIs consider AOMs when caring for patients with obesity; however GIs perceptions regarding these recommendations have not been assessed. Our survey-based study notes in comparison to PCPs, GIs receive less training and are more wary of AOMs despite caring for similar populations and believing obesity management is an important consideration in clinical practice. Continued education and refinement of obesity management curricula are needed to address rising rates of metabolic disease and associated poor health outcomes.



Disclosures:


Kristen Fadel, MD¹, Michelle E.. Lee, MD¹, Anjile An, MPH², Berkeley Limketkai, MD, PhD³, Octavia Pickett-Blakely, MD, MHS⁴, Michele Yeung, MD¹, Adam Buckholz, MD¹, Reem Sharaiha, MD¹, Sonal Kumar, MD¹, Carolyn Newberry, MD¹. P1158 - Perceptions and Comfort Status in Prescribing Anti-Obesity Medications: A Multi-Center Survey Among Gastroenterologists and Primary Care Physicians, ACG 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Vancouver, BC, Canada: American College of Gastroenterology.