Improving weight loss treatment effectiveness through real-world evidence
Official title: Novel approaches to improve comparative effectiveness research of medical and surgical weight reduction strategies in clinical practice
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11055280 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well different weight loss methods work in real life by examining health insurance claims, so we can better understand which options are safe and effective for people with obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $695,317 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK138036-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055280 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults aged 21 and older who are seeking medical or surgical options for weight reduction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not seeking weight loss interventions or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to enhance the understanding of medical and surgical weight loss strategies by analyzing real-world evidence from health insurance claims. It aims to identify the safety and effectiveness of these weight loss methods in everyday clinical practice, particularly focusing on the importance of body mass index (BMI) data. By developing new methodologies to address biases in existing studies, the research seeks to provide clearer insights into which weight loss strategies work best for different patients. Ultimately, this work aims to generate high-quality evidence that can inform better treatment decisions for obesity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized weight loss treatments for patients struggling with obesity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that real-world evidence can significantly enhance understanding of treatment effectiveness, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patorno, Elisabetta — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Patorno, Elisabetta
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.