New results presented at Obesity Week 2024 show that initiating treatment with semaglutide in overweight or obese (Ov/Ob) patients who have either heart failure (HF) or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) can reduce patients’ healthcare costs.^1.2

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The first set of research findings presented orally at the meeting came from a study using a nationally representative insurance claims database to identify patients meeting the following criteria: diagnosis of Ov/Ob and of IC; start of semaglutide 2.4 mg after June 15, 2021; and a minimum of 12 months of continuous insurance enrollment before (reference period) and after (follow-up period) the first semaglutide fill date.¹

A total of 806 eligible patients were identified, more than half of whom were women (59.7%). The survey focused on assessing absolute and relative changes in medical costs, which included inpatient, outpatient, emergency department (ED) medical costs, and total medical costs, comparing the period of follow-up (after semaglutide initiation) to the baseline period (preinitiation). . The analysis used coupled t tests to determine the statistical significance of these changes.

The results demonstrated that the average total medical costs per patient per year (PPPY) decreased significantly after initiation of semaglutide treatment. Specifically, average total medical costs decreased from $29,654 during the baseline period to $22,152 during the follow-up period, a reduction of $7,502 (25.3%; P. = 0.003).

Inpatient costs decreased by $4,372 (32.4%), from $13,481 PPPY to $9,110 PPPY (P. = 0.04). Ambulatory care costs decreased by $2,634 (18.8%), from $13,975 PPPY to $11,341 PPPY (P. = 0.005). Emergency department costs were reduced by $496 (22.6%), from $2,197 PPPA to $1,701 PPPY (P. = 0.003).

The investigators noted that these reductions in medical costs occurred despite the additional cost of semaglutide treatment itself, known to be expensive. This suggests that the clinical benefits of semaglutide, including weight loss and improvement in HF symptoms, could lead to fewer hospitalizations, outpatient visits, and less frequent use of emergency departments, thereby reducing costs. global health care.

This research included another cohort of patients; the results were presented on a poster at the meeting. In this analysis, investigators identified 1,282 patients with Ov/Ob and ASCVD who started treatment with semaglutide 2.4 mg after June 15, 2021.² The analysis used the same large, nationally representative insurance claims database, comparing health care utilization and medical costs in the 12 months before (reference period) and after (period follow-up) the first prescription of semaglutide.

Total annual medical costs per patient fell significantly, from an average of $25,233 during the baseline period to $15,957 during the follow-up period, a reduction of $9,276 ( 36 .8%, P. < 0.001). The cost breakdown showed similar reductions in several categories. Inpatient costs decreased by $5,800 (61.0%), from $9,504 to $3,704 (P. < 0.001), outpatient costs decreased by $2,639 (19.5%), from $13,528 to $10,889 (P. < 0.001), and emergency department costs decreased by $837 (38.0%), from $2,202 to $1,364 (P. < 0.001).

Combined results highlight the potential of semaglutide 2.4 mg as an effective intervention to reduce healthcare costs in patients with Ov/Ob and coexisting cardiovascular diseases such as HF or ASCVD . Both studies demonstrated that semaglutide treatment resulted in significant reductions in total medical costs, including inpatient, outpatient, and emergency room visits.

These savings were observed despite the additional cost of the drug itself, suggesting that the clinical benefits of semaglutide, such as weight loss and improved cardiovascular outcomes, may help reduce the need for costly healthcare services. . Given the growing burden of obesity and cardiovascular disease in the United States, these findings highlight the importance of considering semaglutide as part of a broader strategy to improve patient outcomes while managing costs. health care.

References

1. Michalak W, Zhang Y, Boame N, Sienko D, Faurby M, Alvarez S.
Effects of Semaglutide 2.4 mg on healthcare costs in patients with obesity and heart failure. Presented at: Obesity Week 2024; from November 3 to 6, 2024; San Antonio, TX. Oral-112. https://tos.planion.com/Web.User/AbstractDet?ACCOUNT=TOS&ABSID=1105766&CONF=OW2024&ssoOverride=OFF&CKEY=B16I7I888

2. Michalak W, Zhang Y, Boame N, Sienko D, Faurby M, Alvarez S.
Effects of semaglutide 2.4 mg on healthcare costs in patients with obesity and ASCVD (SHINE-ASCVD). Presented at: Obesity Week 2024; from November 3 to 6, 2024; San Antonio, TX. Poster-086.