Interest in the latest weight-loss drugs remains high, but a recent study suggests that a less invasive procedure might be more cost-effective and lead to greater weight loss.
Published in April in JAMA Network Open, the study compared the effectiveness and cost of semaglutide, a key component in popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic, with a minimally invasive procedure called endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) over a five-year period.
Lead author Muhammad Haseeb noted that while drugs like semaglutide are effective, their high cost—more than four times that of previous medications—makes them less accessible. On the other hand, the ESG procedure costs significantly less and results in greater weight loss over time.
ESG involves reducing stomach volume by inserting a flexible tube through the throat and suturing the stomach from the inside, a process that takes about an hour and requires no incisions. Unlike medications, ESG can offer a permanent solution to weight loss.
The study found that patients who underwent ESG lost more weight over five years compared to those taking semaglutide. Additionally, ESG becomes more cost-effective over time as medication costs accumulate.
Experts caution that while the new weight-loss medications are promising, their high cost could strain healthcare budgets. A 2020 study estimated that obesity-related medical costs in the US totaled $173 billion annually.
Haseeb’s computer model showed that while semaglutide is initially cost-effective, ESG becomes more so over time. To match ESG’s cost-effectiveness after five years, semaglutide prices would need to drop significantly.
In conclusion, while weight-loss medications offer benefits, the ESG procedure presents a potentially more cost-effective and sustainable solution in the long term.
