RESUMO
AIM: This study aimed to estimate the 10-year cost-consequence of weight loss on obesity-related outcomes in a sample of privately insured adults with obesity in Saudi Arabia (KSA). METHODS: We analyzed data of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) available in Nphies, the private health insurance platform of the Council of Health Insurance, KSA. A micro-costing analysis was used to obtain domestic cost estimates for obesity-related outcomes. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the benefit of weight loss by preventing incident cases of 10 obesity-related outcomes. RESULTS: In the study cohort (n = 314,079), the 30-34.9 BMI category contributed two-thirds of the cohort, and no gender differences were found in the age distribution of BMI categories. The elderly population had a higher prevalence of obesity-related outcomes, such as hypertension, osteoarthritis, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The baseline cost (2023) for treating these outcomes was USD 1.245 billion, which could double in 10 years. A 15% weight loss could save USD 1.295 billion over 10 years, with most savings due to T2DM (USD 430 million), given its higher prevalence (27.5%). The model was most sensitive to cost variability in T2DM, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. LIMITATIONS: The results should be interpreted within the bounds of the study cohort, and Nphies is in its early stages of implementation. The cost estimates may differ if repeated among adults with obesity only, potentially leading to increased cost savings with weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate weight loss of 5-15% over 10 years is associated with substantial cost savings in Saudi Arabia. For a 15% weight loss, 18.8% of incidence cases of obesity-related outcomes may be prevented, and slowed increases in T2DM, dyslipidemia, and hypertension may lead to considerable cost savings. The findings would help policymakers to implement weight loss programs in KSA.
