Recent Findings from Eli Lilly and Company Highlight Research in Heart Disease (Prevalence of complications and comorbidities associated with obesity: a health insurance claims analysis): Heart Disorders and Diseases – Heart Disease

NewsRx Pharma Business Daily

2025 FEB 10 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at NewsRx Pharma Business Daily -- Researchers detail new data in heart disease. According to news reporting originating from the Eli Lilly and Company by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “Despite the substantial burden of obesity in the United States (US), data on the comprehensive range of comorbidities in different age groups is limited. This study assessed the prevalence of various comorbidities among people diagnosed with obesity (as per ICD-10 diagnosis code) across age cohorts and compared how they differ from people without obesity.”

Financial supporters for this research include Eli Lilly And Company.

Our news editors obtained a quote from the research from Eli Lilly and Company: “This cross-sectional study analyzed individuals from all four regions (Midwest, Northeast, South, and West) of the US who had continuous insurance coverage from 2018 to 2020, using a large health insurance claims database (Merative™ MarketScan®). Identification of disorders relied on ICD-10 diagnosis code in patient claims and their prevalence was calculated. Of 6,935,911 individuals, people with a diagnosis of obesity accounted for 22.0%, 33.6%, and 34.4% in the 18-39 years, 40-64 years, and 65 years age groups, respectively. Within age strata, the mean age of people with obesity was comparable with those without obesity. Comorbidity burden was significantly higher among people with obesity, but increased with age in both obesity and non-obesity groups. Comorbidities with highest prevalence in people with obesity included: (i) hypertension (18-39 years: 29.0%, 40-64 years: 66.2%, 65 years: 89.4%), (ii) dyslipidemia (18-39 years: 28.1%, 40-64 years: 65.4%, 65 years: 88.0%), (iii) depression or anxiety (18-39 years: 44.1%, 40-64 years: 39.0%, 65 years: 38.9%), and (iv) prediabetes (18-39 years: 17.1%, 40-64 years: 32.2%, 65 years: 35.3%). Notably, increased prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors such as hypertension and dyslipidemia began at an earlier age in people with obesity as compared with those without obesity. Ratio of prevalence between obesity and non-obesity groups was highest for the 18-39 years age group, as compared to older groups. Disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, coronary heart diseases (CHD), and chronic kidney diseases also exhibited substantial burden among those with obesity.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “In this claims study, hypertension and dyslipidemia were the leading comorbidities in people with obesity, with an increasing prevalence with age. The burden of cardiometabolic comorbidities among the younger age group suggested potential risk for early onset of CHD in later life. Understanding the range of obesity-related comorbidities seen in this claims data may encourage healthcare professionals and healthcare systems to systematically diagnose and better manage these disorders. Further research using additional data sources can offer a more accurate view of the prevalence of obesity and its impact.”

For more information on this research see: Prevalence of complications and comorbidities associated with obesity: a health insurance claims analysis. BMC Public Health, 2025,25(1):1-8. (BMC Public Health - http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com). The publisher for BMC Public Health is BMC.

A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21061-z.

Our news journalists report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Jay P. Bae, Eli Lilly and Company.