Alhomoud IS, Cook E, Patel D, Brown RE, Dixon DL. Effect of pharmacist interventions on the management of overweight and obesity: A systematic review.
J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2024;
64:102058. [PMID:
38417740 DOI:
10.1016/j.japh.2024.102058]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Pharmacists are underused healthcare professionals who are well positioned to provide weight management interventions; however, a systematic review of the literature supporting the role of pharmacists in weight management is lacking.
OBJECTIVES
To conduct a systematic review to assess the body of evidence supporting the role of pharmacists in the management of obesity.
METHODS
A literature search of OVID MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL was conducted from inception through February 23, 2023, to identify studies involving pharmacist interventions for weight management. Included studies were retrospective or prospective studies reporting a change in body weight, body mass index (BMI), or waist circumference as a primary endpoint; and a weight management intervention involving a pharmacist. Studies were excluded if they did not report the desired outcomes, involved pediatric populations, or lacked a pharmacist in the intervention.
RESULTS
Twenty-nine studies met the eligibility criteria. A total of 6,423 study participants were enrolled with a mean BMI of 27 to 46 kg/m2. The included studies were conducted across 8 different countries with 15 from the United States. The primary approach was a prepost/quasi-experimental study design, typically conducted in community pharmacies. The pharmacists' role varied widely but mainly involved educational counseling as the pharmacist made medication recommendations in only 5 studies. Multidisciplinary collaboration was infrequent. All but 3 studies reported a significant improvement in the weight loss outcome of interest, although most study durations were less than 6 months. A critical appraisal of the 29 studies found the overall quality of the available studies to be relatively poor.
CONCLUSION
Pharmacist interventions for weight management were mostly effective in reducing body weight; however, more robust clinical trials with a comparator group and for longer duration are warranted. The pharmacist's role in managing weight loss medications also requires further study.
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