Comparative Effectiveness of Western Pharmacotherapy Versus Integrative Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Weight Management in Central Taiwan: A Real-World Cohort Study

Obesity is a major public health issue. While modern Western pharmacotherapies (e.g., GLP-1 receptor agonists) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are utilized for weight management, the comparative effectiveness of their integration remains unclear. This study aims to compare the effects of Western medicine (WM) alone versus integrative WM and TCM on body weight and composition. A retrospective cohort study design will be employed, aiming to enroll approximately 500 patients (BMI ≥ 27) receiving treatment at a regional hospital in Central Taiwan. Participants will be categorized into the WM-only or WM+TCM groups. The primary outcome is the percentage of total body weight loss (%TBWL) at 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes include changes in body composition, including fat percentage and the muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR). Statistical analysis will utilize Propensity Score Matching (PSM) or Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting (IPTW) to balance baseline differences and Mixed-Effects Models for Repeated Measures (MMRM) for longitudinal data analysis. Interaction effects between different WM modalities and TCM will be explored (sub-analysis). Preliminary analysis indicated that individualized treatment significantly reduced body fat and increased MFR. This study anticipates further clarifying the advantages of integrative WM+TCM and identifying the optimal synergistic combinations, providing crucial real-world evidence for clinical weight management strategies.