Effectiveness of a Patient-Centered Weight Management Model in a Community Pharmacy: An Interventional Study

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the provision of a professional pharmaceutical patient-centered model in a weight management program and optimization of the medication in a Spanish community pharmacy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a single-group intervention study with a mean follow-up period of 8.2 months (sd 2.3). Patients ≥18 years old seeking to lose weight or improve eating habits were recruited. On the first visit, the pharmacist collected patients’ sociodemographic and anthropometric variables, dietary history and lifestyle habits, biochemical measurements and other clinical and therapeutic data. The intervention was based on the Spanish Society of Community Pharmacy recommendations for diet and exercise and for pharmacotherapy management. The follow-up included a two-month visit and a final visit. RESULTS: A total of 330 patients were included (80% women; mean age 51.3 years old (sd 15.3)). A statistically significant reduction in anthropometric measurements (weight, BMI, and waist circumference) and a statistically significant increase in the number of patients with normal cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (p<0.001) were observed at two-month visit compared with first visit (p<0.001). The number of patients with normal triglyceride levels at final visit compared with first visit also increased significantly (p=0.04). A total of 186 (56.4%) patients had drug-related problems at first visit and 31 (9.4%) patients at two-month visit. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a patient-centered weight management model had a positive impact on the improvement of anthropometric, clinical and therapeutic parameters.