We are pleased to introduce the Affiliate EASO COM, the Instituto Estadual de Diabetes e Endocrinologia (State Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, IEDE) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, led by Dra Lívia Lugarinho Corrêa. IEDE is the only hospital in the state with beds adapted for patients with obesity, providing both inpatient and outpatient care through a highly skilled multidisciplinary team. This includes 10 endocrinologists, three psychologists, three psychiatrists, three nutritionists, a physical education teacher, and a social worker. This COM offers medical nutrition therapy, psychological evaluation and counselling, behaviour modification training, pharmacotherapy (including liraglutide, orlistat and sibutramine), and a dedicated obesity ward where patients stay, on average, for two months. This intensive approach ensures patients benefit from coordinated interdisciplinary and pharmacological treatment tailored to individual needs.
Welcome, Dra Lugarinho Corrêa. Could you please share some recent highlights from your COM’s recent work?
We are currently organising the third edition of our Obesity Preceptorship, hosted at IEDE. We are also finalising a study with 200 patients with a BMI above 50, showing positive clinical outcomes with liraglutide as part of comprehensive obesity care. We have also strengthened partnerships with other hospitals in the state of Rio de Janeiro to expand access to bariatric surgery. In our inpatient unit, we have seen significant clinical progress – for example, a patient admitted weighing over 300 kg and previously confined to bed, is now mobile and preparing for bariatric surgery, following intensive support from our transdisciplinary team.
What is your approach to patient care and how do you assess outcomes?
Our treatment is both transdisciplinary and patient-centred, addressing medical, nutritional, psychological, and social needs. We place strong emphasis on collaboration between specialties to ensure each patient’s treatment is holistic and personalised. Patient satisfaction is measured through surveys, and we are proud that our scores consistently exceed 90 out of 100.
IEDE is known for its strong educational focus. Could you tell us about your training activities for both staff and future specialists?
We run a medical residency in endocrinology, training 24 new endocrinologists every year. Staff members also have access to professional development opportunities, such as reduced working hours to complete master’s or doctoral degrees. Members of our team attend the annual European Congress on Obesity (ECO) and look forward to participating in an EASO COMs Summit in coming years.
IEDE also has strong links within Brazil’s obesity and endocrinology community. Could you share more about these partnerships and outreach activities?
We work closely with the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM) and the Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity (ABESO) to promote awareness and evidence-based treatment across Brazil. Each year, we also organise community awareness activities highlighting the importance of diagnosing and managing obesity.
What challenges are you facing and what are your goals for the coming years?
Financial limitations remain our biggest challenge, particularly when it comes to expanding the range of available obesity management medications and implementing new technology tools. Despite this, our team continues to achieve excellent patient outcomes. In the next three to five years, we plan to broaden our pharmacological treatment options and complete the purchase of a body composition densitometry system to enhance patient assessment and care.
The State Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology in Rio de Janeiro stands out for its commitment to providing accessible, multidisciplinary obesity care, advancing professional training, and fostering strong national partnerships. Thank you to Dra Lívia Lugarinho Corrêa and the entire IEDE team for participating in the Meet the COMs initiative and for their dedication to improving healthcare care for people living with obesity in Brazil.