Potential barriers to the use of anti-obesity medications in persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders.

LaVela SL, Berryman K, Kale I, Farkas GJ, Henderson GV, Rosales V, Eisenberg D, Reyes L. Potential barriers to the use of anti-obesity medications in persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders. Obesity science & practice. 2024 Aug 1; 10(4):e784.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.    Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions

Search for Abstract from PubMed

---

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Anti-obesity medications (AOMs) may provide a viable option for obesity management. However, little is known about the use of AOMs in persons with SCI/D. OBJECTIVE: Describe health care providers'' (HCPs) views about barriers to AOM use in persons living with SCI/D. METHODS: Descriptive qualitative design using in-depth interviews Descriptive statistics were used to calculate demographic and employment characteristics. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using Braun and Clarke''s (2006) six thematic analysis phases. RESULTS: HCPs (n  =  12) were from 11 different nationwide facilities. Most HCPs were male (75%), a large majority were white (67%), and most were 26-49 years of age. Participants were dietitians (75%), physicians (17%), and psychologists (8%). HCPs ranged from 1.5 to 15 years of providing SCI/D care. HCPs described four main thematic barriers to AOM use in persons with SCI/D: (1) AOM side effects that are especially concerning in persons with SCI/D; (2) AOMs contribute to poor eating habits; (3) availability, accessibility, and administration; and (4) lack of evidence, clinical agreement, and knowledge about AOM use in the SCI/D population. CONCLUSIONS: There are several potential barriers to AOM use in the SCI/D population. Barriers include AOM side effects which may cause or exacerbate conditions that are already concerns in persons with SCI/D, such as bowel and skin problems, and muscle loss. SCI/D HCPs reported a lack of evidence about AOM use in persons with SCI/D, but interest in obtaining more knowledge.