Results of a support programme for treatment of overweight and obese patients with orlistat

Abstract

Background: Overweight and obesity are reaching epidemic proportions, and a variety of therapeutic countermeasures is needed. This article describes a support programme for orlistat. Methods: Physicians who prescribed orlistat could refer their patients to a support programme provided by the manufacturer. A clinical nutritionist evaluated the patient’s diet and gave advice and motivational support during approximately seven telephone consultations a year. Design: A cohort study. Results: Of 3526 patients (81.5% women and 18.5% men) whose first contact with the nutritionist was recorded between April 2001 and July 2004, 3023 had at least one follow-up consultation. The mean initial body mass index (BMI) was 33.7 (SD 9.0). Of men and women, 90% and 80%, respectively, met the Norwegian Pharmaceutical Product Compendium criteria for orlistat. The remaining patients had a BMI that was too low or no reported risk factors. Of the 2456 patients who reported their weight
at two or more consultations, 70% achieved a