GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Prescribing Practices in a Pediatric Weight Management Program

Abstract

Introduction:

Prescribing glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) for pediatric patients with obesity is increasing. There are concerns that cost, insurance coverage, and/or provider prescribing practices will lead to inequities with GLP-1-RA use.

Objective:

Describing the GPL1-RA prescribing practices in a pediatric weight management program.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients treated from 7/1/2021 to 6/30/2023. The following was extracted from the medical record: demographic data, anthropometrics (percent of 95^th percentile body mass index [BMI] for age/sex [p95%BMI] and BMI class), laboratory measures (hemoglobin A1C [HbA1c] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]), and whether patients were prescribed a GLP1-RA and/or metformin.

Results:

A total of 2,563 patients were seen in 2 years. Patients prescribed GLP1-RAs had higher HbA1c, 6.5% vs. 5.6% (p < 0.001); ALT, 79 IU vs. 37 IU (p < 0.001); and p95%BMI, 169 vs. 141 (p < 0.001), than others. There were no differences between the groups regarding race, sex, ethnicity, or insurance status.

Conclusions:

GLP1-RA prescribing was associated only with disease burden.