Which care models will handle the scourge of metabolic disorders?

Here are a few figures to understand the extent of the problem:

• Close to 1 in 4 people live with some form of metabolic disorder (according to the NIH).

• It accounts for more than 13 million deaths annually (according to the Global Burden of Disease).

• The economic burden it represents is expected to go beyond $4 Trillion USD by 2035 (according to the World Obesity Federation).
   

Beyond the societal questions raised by this public health phenomenon, the real concern is whether traditional care models are capable of managing this group of conditions effectively and sustainably.
 

This largely because traditional care models are episodic and put little focus on behaviour change that is dearly needed to reverse the trend.
 

Among those who have realized it and are striving for alternatives, Ihsan Almarzooqi and his team at meta[bolic] stand out.
 

Based in Dubai, they have developed and deployed a unique care model, which they aim to replicate in Europe, starting with the UK.
 

Their approach blends cutting-edge diagnostics, remote monitoring, and a care pathway involving frequent interactions with medical staff—enough to drive long-term behavioural change.
 

And its efficacy has been demonstrated through numerous studies published since its inception.

Beyond this hybrid care model, what is striking about Ihsan and the meta[bolic] philosophy is their relentless focus on improving outcomes for patients and incorporating the latest care innovations to raise the bar.
 

Up to the point of reducing their operational margin to extend their knowledge of each patient, as long as it improves the level of care.
 

In this episode, we discuss what makes this care pathway unique, its implementation, the results, and how we can leverage traditional reimbursement schemes while still delivering a continuous and outcome-oriented care experience.
 

An inspiring and thought-provoking conversation on what care models for metabolic disorders can be, despite the constraints posed by most health systems!
 

Timeline:

• 00:00:00 - What led Ihsan to pioneer new care delivery models

• 00:06:03 - The extent of the metabolic diseases pandemic

• 00:10:39 - Why traditional care models fail to address metabolic diseases

• 00:16:49 - The components that make up the meta[bolic] care model

• 00:23:37 - How the meta[bolic] care model is funded in the UAE

• 00:30:57 - Ihsan’s philosophy about evidence generation and how it is lived at meta[bolic]

• 00:33:28 - Scaling the meta[bolic] model to other geographies beyond the UAE

• 00:38:45 - How to keep patients engaged throughout their care journey

• 00:41:55 - Ihsan’s wishes for the democratization of value-based care
   

What we also talked about with Ihsan:

• Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)

• GLP-1 agonists

• Labcorp

• p-Tau217

• VO2 max test

• PromarkerD test

As mentioned by Ihsan during the episode, you can have a read at Ground Truths by Dr. Eric Topol and his recent book Super Agers, an encyclopedia of the latest medical knowledge around longevity.
 

Ihsan also recommends listening to Dr. Peter Attia’s podcast The Drive, which investigates everything from exercise and nutritional biochemistry to cardiovascular health, cancer, cognitive health, mental and emotional well-being, and beyond.
 

You may also read Ihsan’s publication in NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery alongside Hala Zakaria, and Ali Hashemi, on their hybrid care model to manage diabetes in the UAE.
 

You can get in touch with Ihsan via LinkedIn, and follow meta[bolic]’s activities on their website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
 

✉️ If you want to give me feedback on the episode or suggest potential guests, contact me over LinkedIn or via email!
 

⭐️ And if you liked the episode, please share it, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a 5-star review on streaming platforms!
 

🙏 You can also support my work by doing a PayPal donation @ImpulsePodcast!
 

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