Missed diagnosis—a major barrier to patient access to obesity healthcare in the primary care setting
Authors' conclusion
Beyond BMI measurement, a recorded diagnosis of OW/OB is associated with statistically and clinically significant higher rates of performance of obesity care and intervention. Undiagnosed OW/OB presents a significant clinical opportunity, as recording a diagnosis of OW/OB would predict improved patient access to obesity healthcare and improved clinical outcomes.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² recorded at a primary care visit 2014–2020, no prior diagnosis of OW/OB or related co-morbidities; Maccabi Healthcare Services, Israel18% with recorded diagnosis
- Participants
- 200,000 adults
- Exposure
- Recorded diagnosis of OW/OB vs missed diagnosis
- Outcome
- Two composite outcomes:
- Referrals to screening tests for metabolic complications
- Weight loss intervention
- Follow up
Methodological detailselectronic medical record database, multivariate logistic regression
- Electronic medical record database
- Multivariate logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Each group vs missed diagnosisEstimate (95% CI)P value
Recorded diagnosis
OR (screening for metabolic complications) 1.18(1.15–1.21)
P < 0.001Recorded diagnosis
OR (weight loss intervention and follow up) 1.84(1.76–1.94)
P < 0.001- Diagnosis of OW/OB recorded
- 18%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Factors associated with obesity care
- Male sex, older age and Arab sector associated with lower rates of weight loss intervention and follow up
- Young individuals less likely to be screened for metabolic complications
Original publication
Missed diagnosis—a major barrier to patient access to obesity healthcare in the primary care setting. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 22 April 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →