Disease Burden and Health Status among People with Severe Obesity Who Do Not Receive Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The aim of the study was to compare eligible individuals who were or were not treated with bariatric surgery and describe disease burden, treatment, and healthcare costs over 3 years in individuals who were not. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Adults with obesity class II and comorbidities, or obesity class III, were identified in IQVIA Ambulatory EMR – US and PharMetrics^® Plus administrative claims databases (January 1, 2007–December 31, 2017). Outcomes included demographics, BMI, comorbidities, and per patient per year (PPPY) healthcare costs. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of 127,536 eligible individuals, 3,962 (3.1%) underwent surgery. The surgery group was younger, a greater proportion were women, and mean BMI and rates of some comorbidities (obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and depression) were higher than in the nonsurgery group. Mean healthcare costs PPPY in the baseline year were USD 13,981 in the surgery group and USD 12,024 in the nonsurgery group. In the nonsurgery group, incident comorbidities increased during follow-up. Mean total costs increased by 20.5% from baseline to year 3, mostly driven by an increase in pharmacy costs; however, fewer than 2% of these individuals initiated antiobesity medications. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Individuals who did not undergo bariatric surgery showed a progressive worsening of health and increasing healthcare costs, indicating a large unmet need for access to clinically indicated obesity treatment.