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Real-World Incretin-Based Obesity Pharmacotherapy Research Program
Real-World Incretin-Based Obesity Pharmacotherapy Research Program
Leveraging large-scale real-world data from two of Israel’s major health maintenance organizations (HMOs), this collaborative research program examines the clinical, nutritional, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes of incretin-based obesity management medications (OMMs), with a particular focus on how adjunct lifestyle and behavioral support can optimize treatment effectiveness and long-term health outcomes.
The program currently includes two complementary real-world studies: a large-scale retrospective study conducted with Maccabi Healthcare Services, and a prospective longitudinal cohort study conducted within Clalit Health Services.
Project 1: Lifestyle Support Adjunct to Incretin-Based OMMs – Maccabi Real-World Retrospective Study
Project 1: Lifestyle Support Adjunct to Incretin-Based OMMs – Maccabi Real-World Retrospective Study
This large-scale retrospective longitudinal study examines whether structured lifestyle counseling enhances outcomes among individuals treated with incretin-based OMMs.
While pharmacological therapies such as liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide demonstrate substantial weight loss and cardiometabolic benefits, important clinical questions remain regarding the contribution of adjunct behavioral and lifestyle support to treatment effectiveness, adherence, and long-term metabolic health.
Using large-scale real-world electronic medical record (EMR) data, the study evaluates patterns and intensity of lifestyle support and their associations with clinical outcomes during pharmacological obesity treatment. The project aims to address critical evidence gaps regarding best practices for integrating behavioral support with incretin-based pharmacotherapy.
Setting
Maccabi Healthcare Services, in collaboration with KSM – Kahn Sagol Maccabi.
Research Team and Students Involved
Mor Ben-Meleh
Supervision
Dr. Tair Ben-Porat
Dr. Rivka Rotstein
Funding
KSM – Kahn Sagol Maccabi
Status
Analysis underway.
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Project 2: Prospective Longitudinal Cohort of Incretin-Based OMM Treatment - the IMPACT study (Incretin-Based Medications: Prospective Assessment of Clinical and Behavioral Trajectories)
Project 2: Prospective Longitudinal Cohort of Incretin-Based OMM Treatment - the IMPACT study (Incretin-Based Medications: Prospective Assessment of Clinical and Behavioral Trajectories)
This is a large-scale prospective real-world cohort study of adults initiating incretin-based OMMs within Clalit Health Services.
The study integrates longitudinal electronic medical record data with an extensive package of validated patient-reported measures to examine treatment trajectories from initiation through long-term follow-up. Participants are assessed repeatedly during the first year of treatment and annually thereafter, with planned follow-up extending up to 10 years.
The study examines changes in dietary intake and nutritional status, weight and body composition, cardiometabolic health, physical function, physical activity, medication use and adherence, eating behaviors, food noise, psychological distress, emotion regulation, body image, self-esteem, quality of life, and other lifestyle and behavioral factors.
A major goal of IMPACT is to identify demographic, clinical, nutritional, and psychosocial factors associated with differential treatment trajectories and to characterize subgroups at increased risk for nutritional deterioration or other suboptimal health outcomes during incretin-based pharmacotherapy. The study also examines the lifestyle and behavioral support received alongside OMM treatment, providing a platform for developing more personalized, evidence-based models of adjunct obesity care.
Setting
Clalit Health Services, Dan–Petah Tikva District obesity clinics.
Funding
Israel National Institute for Health Policy Research (NIHP).
Research Team
Dr. Tair Ben-Porat
Dr. Shiri Sherf-Dagan
Dr. Asaf Buch
Dr. Lidia Miller
Mariana Orbach
Ronit Tuef
Graduate Students
Jiska Suckot (PhD student)
Lee Ben-Naim and Roni Flam (Masters Thsis students)
Academic Lead / Supervision
Dr. Tair Ben-Porat (PI)
Status
Prospective cohort ongoing.
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