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Article

From Altered Metabolic and Anthropometric Parameters to Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Survey on the Effectiveness and Safety of Neo-Policaptil® Gel Retard

by
Elena Gabriele
1,*,
Roberto Cioeta
1,
Paola Muti
2,3,
Marta Rigoni
2,3,
Roberta La Salvia
1,
Andrea Cossu
1 and
Emiliano Giovagnoni
1
1
Aboca SpA, 52037 Sansepolcro, Italy
2
Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
3
Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico I.R.C.C.S. Multimedica, 20099 Milan, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Healthcare 2025, 13(24), 3293; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13243293
Submission received: 22 October 2025 / Revised: 5 December 2025 / Accepted: 10 December 2025 / Published: 15 December 2025
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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and even closely related metabolic and anthropometric alterations require timely intervention to reduce associated risks. Neo-Policaptil® Gel Retard has shown potential in managing both established MetS and early imbalances. To further characterize its real-world impact, a large post-marketing survey was conducted to assess perceived effectiveness, safety, quality of life (QoL), and patterns of use. Methods: Between December 2021 and May 2025, patients/child caregivers, pharmacists, and physicians completed online questionnaires via a dedicated web platform. Patients reported their direct experience, while healthcare professionals (HCPs) provided observations on patient use. Results: The survey included 2204 patients, 57 child caregivers, 455 physicians, and 387 pharmacists. Overall, 97.7% of patients reported an improvement in their condition. Most physicians (94.3%) and pharmacists (89.1%) rated the overall effectiveness of the product as “good” or “excellent”. The safety profile was judged “good” or “excellent” by 84.4% of patients and by over 93% of HCPs. The product was mainly used as monotherapy or in combination with dietary measures and/or physical exercise. Conclusions: These findings underscore the product’s effectiveness, safety, tolerability, and positive influence on QoL in both adults and children affected by MetS or by related metabolic and anthropometric imbalances.

1. Introduction

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors driven by insulin resistance that arises from underlying metabolic dysregulation and predisposes to complications such as diabetes mellitus, elevated uric acid levels, and fatty liver disease [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. The prevalence of MetS among adults was estimated at 35% in the United States during 2011–2016 [9], in parallel with a global doubling of obesity in more than 70 countries and a steeper increase among overweight and obese children [10,11,12,13,14,15]. This trend is largely driven by lifestyle factors [16,17] and contributes to a growing burden of obesity, MetS, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), with substantial economic consequences for healthcare systems [18,19,20,21,22].
Even in the absence of a formal MetS diagnosis, single metabolic and anthropometric abnormalities independently increase cardiometabolic risk: increased waist circumference (WC), postprandial hyperglycaemia, prediabetes, and dyslipidaemia are all associated with a higher likelihood of T2DM and cardiovascular disease, largely through visceral adiposity, chronic inflammation, and atherogenic lipoprotein accumulation [23,24,25,26,27]. In pediatric populations, the lack of standardized cut-offs and reliance on age- and sex-specific percentiles make these metabolic alterations difficult to identify [28]. Nonetheless, they are increasingly observed in children and often persist into adulthood, so targeting these abnormalities—whether isolated or combined—is crucial to reducing long-term cardiovascular and liver-related morbidity and mortality [29].
No pharmacologic agents are currently approved specifically for MetS as a unified clinical entity; management instead targets individual components or commonly associated metabolic and cardiovascular (CV) alterations/risk factors [30]. Lifestyle modification, including dietary changes and increased physical activity, is the cornerstone of treatment, especially in children, and has been associated with reductions in MetS and T2DM incidence [31,32,33]. However, long-term adherence is frequently suboptimal, contributing to the persistent high prevalence of these conditions [6,34]. Pharmacological therapies (e.g., statins and fibrates for dyslipidaemia, insulin sensitisers such as metformin, and anti-obesity agents including orlistat and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 [GLP-1] analogues) are often used as adjuncts, but raise concerns regarding adverse events, limited long-term safety data, and, in children, the appropriateness of early pharmacological exposure [35,36,37,38,39,40,41]. For GLP-1 analogues, in particular, reimbursement for weight management is not allowed in most countries, creating major affordability issues due to their high cost. This scenario underscores the need for non-pharmacological interventions with a favourable safety profile and minimal side effects, suitable for long-term use alongside healthy lifestyle measures.
Metarecod (Aboca S.p.a.—Sansepolcro, Arezzo—Italy) [42] is a natural, biodegradable substance-based medical device (SBMD) containing the vegetal complex Neo-Policaptil® Gel Retard (NPGR), indicated for the management of one or more altered metabolic and anthropometric parameters, including blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose and WC, up to MetS. When alterations occur individually or in combination, NPGR exerts targeted effects on the altered parameter(s) while supporting overall metabolic regulation. Clinical studies have shown that this SBMD can improve lipid and glucose profiles and reduce WC, in line with the known effects of water-holding dietary fibres [43,44,45,46,47,48]. Unlike conventional dietary fibres [49,50], the patented formulation [51] forms a large and viscous gel in the intestine, more than its individual ingredients alone. This enhances sequestration of dietary lipids and carbohydrates, enabling a clinically relevant, non-pharmacological modulation of key metabolic parameters, as demonstrated in controlled studies [43,44,47]. A systematic review by Guarino et al. summarized data from obese children and adolescents and from overweight or obese adults, with or without MetS and/or T2DM, further supporting its effectiveness and safety [44].
However, most available evidence on NPGR derives from controlled trials, while real-world data on its effectiveness and safety remain limited. In this context, the present article presents the results of a post-marketing clinical follow-up survey designed to evaluate the effectiveness, tolerability, safety, and usage patterns across different user groups (patients/child caregivers, pharmacists and physicians), in compliance with the Regulation (EU) 2017/745 [52].

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Product

NPGR is a complex of different types of dietary fibre based on polysaccharide macromolecules from Avena sativa L., Opuntia ficus-indica L., Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch, Linum usatissimum L., Althea officinalis L., Tilia platyphyllos Scop., and Cichorium intybus L.; other ingredients include powdered stevia leaves, arabic gum, natural orange, and peach flavouring.
The product acts locally in the intestine by forming a viscous gel that modifies the physical characteristics of the intestinal contents, slowing and reducing the absorption of carbohydrates and lipids (retard effect). This mechanism supports glycaemic control, appetite regulation, and cholesterol balance through reduced bile acid reabsorption, rebalancing the intestinal flora and normalizing bowel transit. This formulation is suitable for adults and for children from 8 years of age, and its use should be combined with a balanced diet and regular physical activity [42,51].

2.2. Survey Design

The present survey reports RWD collected between December 2021 and May 2025, spontaneously provided by three user groups: patients and child caregivers (including adults using the device themselves and caregivers reporting on its use in children aged 8 to over 12 years), physicians (both general practitioners and specialists), and pharmacists. This is an ongoing process in which all RWD are collected via Web Framework Page on a GxP-validated platform (version 2.3.1.2) [53], which allows users to complete an online survey based on specific questionnaires. The platform is fully compliant with GDPR requirements, ensuring data protection and regulatory compliance. All data were collected and analyzed in anonymized form. Users could access the surveys through the patients or HCP section of the manufacturer’s website.
Product use was verified by entering both the batch number and unique code printed on the device packaging at the beginning of the online questionnaire. Patients/child caregivers were asked about their personal experience associated with the device, while pharmacists and physicians were requested to describe patients’ experience based on their own direct observation, thereby providing an indirect validation of patient-reported data. The questionnaires, specifically tailored to each responder category, were developed and tested for repeatability [54] through scientific collaboration with the University of Milan.
The survey focused mainly on perceived effectiveness of the product, satisfaction with product use, safety and tolerability, compliance with the recommended dosage, QoL after treatment, concomitant treatments, conditions for which the product was used/prescribed, improvement and timing of problem resolution and clarity of device information.
Answers regarding QoL improvement, safety/tolerability and effectiveness were assessed using a single-item question with a 5-point Likert scale: ‘not at all/poor’, ‘somewhat/adequate’, ‘moderately/fair’, ‘greatly/good’, ‘extremely/excellent’. The survey collected qualitative data, summarized as percentage distributions of responses. The questionnaires for patients, physicians, and pharmacists are available in the Supplementary Materials. At the end of the questionnaire, respondents could report any adverse event or suspected interaction with the product to the Medical Vigilance Department via a dedicated safety mailbox.

2.3. Statistical Analysis

The sample size for the survey was determined on the basis of the patient questionnaire, focusing on items assessing satisfaction with safety and tolerability, QoL, and symptom improvement. Assuming a population size of 20,000 or more, a 2% margin of error, a 95% confidence level, and a conservative response rate of 50%, the required sample size was estimated using an online tool (http://www.raosoft.com/samplesize.html, accessed on 1 May 2025) [55]), yielding a target of 2144 respondents.
Descriptive analyses were performed for each question, reporting both absolute frequencies and response percentages. For single- and multiple-choice items, the percentage for each answer represents the proportion of responders who selected that option.

3. Results

3.1. Patients/Child Caregivers

A total of 2261 patients/child caregivers participated in the survey. The most represented age ranges were 51–64 years (49.7%, N = 1124) and 31–50 years (31.5%, N = 713). The most frequently reported sources of information were recommendations from pharmacists (22.8%, N = 516) or doctors (18.6%, N = 421), and the Internet (16.3%, N = 369). A very high rate of direct use was observed: 2204 (97.5%) patients used the product personally, while 57 (3.5%) reported administering it to a child.

3.1.1. Direct Use

A clear majority of patients (62.8%, N = 1385) reported a tendency toward self-medication, and product use was primarily associated with the management of cholesterol levels (61.9%, N = 1364) (Figure 1A).
In 11.0% (N = 242) of cases, the product was used following a medical diagnosis of MetS. Among these, the most frequent altered parameters in addition to high WC were the levels of cholesterol (64.9%, N = 157) and blood sugar (57.0%, N = 138). The most common treatment durations were 3 months (28.7%, N = 615), less than 1 month (23.5%, N = 504) and 2 months (21.5%, N = 462). Additionally, 941 patients (43.9%) reported using the product for the first time. Patients reported using the product as the only therapy in 31.0% (N = 665) of cases, while many combined it with diet therapy (53.1%, N = 1141) or physical activity (41.4%, N = 889) (Figure 2A).
Use of NPGR improved patients’ condition in 97.7% (N = 2097) of cases, with most describing the improvement as “moderate” (45.3%, N = 971) or “great” (29.8%, N = 639) (Figure 3A). Overall, 65.1% (N = 1397) of patients rated their satisfaction with the product as “good” or “excellent”. In terms of QoL, 79.7% (N = 1711) of patients reported at least a moderate improvement (Figure 3C). Around or over one third reported reduced tiredness (43.1%, N = 758), improved mood (34.5%, N = 607), and greater freedom in eating (31.6%, N = 556) (Figure 4A). The first beneficial effects were reported within 3 months in 76.3% (N = 1638) of cases, including 24.5% (N = 526) who noticed improvements within the firstmonth.
Most patients (76.0%, N = 1631) took the recommended two sachets per day, while 23.6% (N = 506) used half the dose. The product was usually taken before the two main meals (97.0%, N = 2082) and followed by an additional half glass of water (92.1%, N = 1976). Among the 1313 patients taking other medications, 81.3% (N = 1067) reported taking them two hours apart from NPGR.

3.1.2. Child Administration

Children receiving the product were almost evenly distributed by sex (52.6% female, N = 30), with all age ranges from 8 to over 12 years represented and 40.0% (N = 23) aged over 12 years. Caregivers mainly consulted a doctor for their children’s symptoms (59.7%, N = 34), and use of the product was most often linked to specific altered parameters, particularly increased WC (43.9%, N = 25) (Figure 1B). The product was administered as monotherapy in 35.3% (N = 18) of children, while almost half also followed a physical activity plan (49.0%, N = 25) or a diet therapy (41.2%, N = 21) (Figure 2B).
Caregivers reported an improvement in the child’s condition, with 49.0% (N = 25) rating it as “good” or “excellent” (Figure 3A), and overall satisfaction with the product was “good” or “excellent” in 74.5% (N = 38). All caregivers observed an improvement in the child’s QoL, described as “great” or “extreme” in 56.9% (N = 29) of cases (Figure 3C), with the greatest benefits reported for eating patterns (39.5%, N = 15) and physical activity (31.6%, N = 12) (Figure 4B). Caregivers also reported an improvement in their own QoL, most frequently described as “moderate” (37.3%, N = 19) or “great” (35.3%, N = 18) (Figure 3C).
Most children (66.7%, N = 34) received two sachets per day, while 31.4% (N = 16) received one per day. The product was usually administered before the two main meals (94.1%, N = 48 and followed by an additional half glass of water (84.3%, N = 43). Among the 20 children taking other medications, 70.0% (N = 14) were given NPGR two hours apart. The first beneficial effects were reported within 3 months in 76.4% (N = 39) of cases, with 23.5% (N = 12) noticing improvements within less than one month.
The safety and tolerability of the product were rated as “good” or “excellent” by 84.4% (N = 1908) of patients/child caregivers (Figure 3B). Across the entire survey, only 11 patients reported non-serious undesirable side effects (USEs) considered at least possibly related to the use of the product, mainly involving the gastrointestinal system. Communication clarity (Indications, Instructions for use, and Warnings) was judged “good” or “excellent” by over 93% of patients.

3.2. Physicians

Among the 455 physicians, the largest groups included pediatricians (28.6%, N = 130), GPs (22.6%, N = 103), and nutritionists (21.3%, N = 97). The age ranges most commonly reported for their patients were 31–50 (62.2%, N = 283), 51–64 (54.3%, N = 247), and 18–30 (32.3%, N = 147) years. The product was mainly prescribed for MetS (78.0%, N = 355), high blood sugar (74.5%, N = 339), elevated LDL cholesterol (66.6%, N = 303), and increased WC (66.6%, N = 303) (Figure 1C).
Treatment was usually prescribed for 3 months (75.4%, N = 343), followed by 2 months (29.0%, N = 132) and one month (8.4%, N = 38). Almost all physicians (99.8%, N = 454) recommended administration before the two main meals, and 91.0% (N = 414) advised taking it two hours apart from other medications. The product was prescribed as monotherapy mainly in patients naïve to other treatments (74.5%, N = 339), but also in those who had failed previous therapies (40.2%, N = 183). NPGR was associated with diet in 90.1% (N = 410) of cases and with physical activity in 84.8% (N = 386) (Figure 2C).
Overall effectiveness was rated as “good” by 59.3% (N = 270) and “excellent” by 35.0% (N = 159) (Figure 3A). Satisfaction was highest for effects on blood glucose (50.3% [N = 229] “greatly”, 23.1% [N = 105] “extremely”), followed by MetS (48.4% [N = 220] “greatly”, 16.0% [N = 73] “extremely”), LDL cholesterol (49.5% [N = 225] “greatly”, 11.7% [N = 53] “extremely”), and WC (46.4% [N = 211] “greatly”, 13.0% [N = 59] “extremely”). Regarding QoL, 65.1% (N = 296) of physicians rated the impact as “good”. Most physicians (82.0%, N = 418) reported that patients were likely to repeat treatment after the first cycle, and the first improvements were generally observed within 1–3 months (42.0% [N = 191] in 2 months, 41.3% [N = 188] in one month, 35.8% [N = 163] in 3 months), while only 3 physicians (0.7%) reported no improvements.
The product was consistently rated highly for safety and tolerability, with 48.4% (N = 220) of physicians rating it as “good” and 45.7% (N = 208) as “excellent” (Figure 3B). Across the survey, only 4 physicians reported non-serious USEs at least possibly related to the product, mainly gastrointestinal (one case of skin rash), and interactions with other treatments were noted by only 0.66% of physicians. Communication was judged very favourably: over 98% rated the information on the box and leaflet (Instructions, Warnings, Indications) as “good” or “excellent”, and the quality of scientific information from the company was rated as “excellent” by 73.9% (N = 336) and “good” by 25.3% (N = 115).

3.3. Pharmacists

Among 387 pharmacists who participated, all reported receiving feedback from their customers. Most dispensed the product through independent private pharmacies (50.4%, N = 195). Treatment duration was mainly 3 months (60.5%, N = 234) or 2 months (47.3%, N = 183). The product was primarily recommended for high cholesterol levels (87.9%, N = 340), triglycerides (74.9%, N = 290), and blood sugar (74.9%, N = 290) (Figure 1D). Almost all pharmacists recommend taking NPGR before the two main meals (99.4%, N = 383) and two hours apart from other medications (97.4%, N = 377). The product was most often used in association with diet therapy (82.7%, N = 320) and physical activity (68.2%, N = 264), but also as monotherapy (70.8%, N = 274) (Figure 2D).
Most pharmacists rated overall perceived effectiveness as “good” (58.4%, N = 226) or “excellent” (30.8%, N = 119) (Figure 3A). Customer satisfaction with improvements in individual parameters was highest for blood sugar (46.8% [N = 181] “greatly”, 11.4% [N = 44] “extremely”), cholesterol (46.5% [N = 180] “greatly”, 12.9% [N = 50] “extremely”), and WC (33.1% [N = 128] “greatly”, 9.3% [N = 36] “extremely”). Improvement in QoL was mostly rated at least “good” (67.7%, N = 262). Most pharmacists (79.6%, N = 371) reported that customers tend to repeat treatment after a first cycle, and feedback of clinical improvement was mainly received within 2 months (48.6%, N = 188) or one month (39.0%, N = 151), with only 3 pharmacists (0.8%) reporting no improvement.
Safety and tolerability were rated as “good” by 50.7% (N = 196) of pharmacists and “excellent” by 42.6% (N = 165) (Figure 3B). No USEs associated with device use were reported, and only 1.03% mentioned interactions with concomitant treatments. Communication clarity (Instructions, Warnings, Indications) was rated “good” or “excellent” by over 96%, and the quality of scientific communication from the company was judged “excellent” by 50.1% (N = 194) and “good” by 45.5% (N = 176) of pharmacists.

4. Discussion

This research provides real-world evidence (RWE) from a large post-marketing survey involving patients/child caregivers, physicians, and pharmacists, evaluating the perceived effectiveness, tolerability, safety and usage patterns of NPGR. As commonly observed in real-world practice, it is often challenging to accurately assess these outcomes [56,57]. In this context, RWE surveys offer complementary insights on patient outcomes in routine practice, broadening the perspective beyond clinical trials [53,58].
All direct indicators of effectiveness (e.g., symptomatic improvement, speed of symptom resolution) and indirect indicators (e.g., QoL improvement) showed high levels of appreciation for product performance among patients, supporting the positive evidence reported in previous studies on the device [43,44,45,46,47,48]. The high safety ratings reported by patients suggest a favourable benefit-risk profile, which likely contributed to overall satisfaction.
Although RWD on children were limited, all indicators of effectiveness were also confirmed in this user group. In the pediatric sample, the product was almost never used in combination with pharmacological treatment, reflecting a preference for interventions with a lower physiological burden. This is particularly relevant given the limited number of medications approved for pediatric use [39]. Child caregivers expressed high satisfaction, in line with preferences for safe and well-tolerated interventions. These findings are consistent with earlier clinical studies, such as those by Stagi et al. [46], which showed that use of the product in obese children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and MetS led to significant improvements in BMI, waist circumference (WC), glycaemic control, and insulin requirements after just three months of treatment.
Both pharmacists and physicians confirmed effectiveness, safety and tolerability in clinical practice, basing their assessments on both patient feedback and direct observation. They also reported high satisfaction with its effects on individual risk factors and on MetS overall.
Fibres play a key role in modulating metabolic parameters: soluble fibres like glucomannan and pectin lower LDL cholesterol [59], while others reduce postprandial glucose peaks [60,61]; high-fibre diets are linked to reduced risk of MetS through combined effects on weight loss, glycaemic control, and lipid profile [62,63,64].
Accordingly, the effectiveness of NPGR is attributed to its water-holding fibres, which form viscous gels in the intestine [51,65,66], slowing nutrient absorption and supporting gut function [42]. Several fibre-based therapies (e.g., glucomannan, inulin, psyllium) have shown benefits on metabolic parameters, but with variable efficacy and tolerability [59,60,61,62,63,64]. NPGR’s unique gel-forming mechanism may enhance appetite regulation [48], and recent studies have shown non-inferiority to metformin for glycemic control and better lipid-lowering and tolerability [43,67].
Previous research indicates that, combined with a low-glycaemic index diet, the product can reduce BMI and metabolic risk factors in obese pediatric patients [58], and that can be effects on satiety and appetite-regulating hormones, likely mediated by delayed nutrient absorption and stimulation of GLP-1 secretion [48].
Consistent with these findings, in the present survey, many patients used NPGR with diet therapy, and high satisfaction with effects on WC suggests support for dietary adherence.
Notably, in a recent single-blind randomized trial [67], the product was non-inferior to metformin (MTF) in obese adults with MetS and coexisting T2DM, while providing better lipid-lowering effects and tolerability; improvements in glucose, insulin, and lipid metabolism appeared within 3 months, in line with the timing of first benefits reported in the present survey, and persisted up to 6 months, suggesting a sustained effect on intestinal absorption. Evidence from animal models further indicates that NPGR may beneficially modulate the gut microbiota [65], consistent with broader data showing that dietary fibres and carbohydrate polymers shape microbial composition and promote the production of health-supporting metabolites [68]. Unlike MTF, NPGR may therefore deliver multiple metabolic benefits with the favourable safety profile of a device based on natural molecules, and in this survey, safety and tolerability emerged as major reasons for its use, with consistently positive ratings across all user groups and minimal reported interactions.
These RWD complement randomized trial data, extending evidence to real-world settings and showing consistent benefits across target groups. These findings further enrich existing clinical trial evidence by providing additional real-world insights.
Beyond clinical outcomes, the product has demonstrated biodegradability under OECD 301F conditions, with substantial transformation within 28 days, and metabolomic profiling has confirmed the transformation of selected compounds, reinforcing its eco-compatibility [69].
A limitation of this work is the relative under-representation of age groups younger than 30 years in the patient sample, which may introduce some bias in the interpretation of questionnaire responses. However, information on younger age groups was partly captured through pharmacists’ and physicians’ responses, allowing reliable conclusions to be drawn for the overall population. A slight propensity for self-medication was observed, but this did not affect consistency between patient and HCP reports.

5. Conclusions

The results of this post-marketing survey reinforce the evidence supporting NPGR’s effectiveness, safety, and high user satisfaction, as consistently reported by patients/child caregivers, pharmacists, and physicians across all age groups represented. Together with the effectiveness and safety data from existing randomized controlled trials, these findings support the Neo-Policaptil® Gel Retard complex as an effective and safe option for the treatment of altered metabolic parameters and MetS in children, adolescents, and adults. As a non-pharmacological intervention, the product offers a favourable risk–benefit profile for the clinical management of significant metabolic and anthropometric disturbances.

Supplementary Materials

The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/healthcare13243293/s1.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, E.G. (Emiliano Giovagnoni); formal analysis, P.M. and M.R.; data curation, P.M. and M.R.; writing—original draft preparation, P.M., M.R. and E.G. (Elena Gabriele); writing—review and editing, R.C., E.G. (Elena Gabriele), R.L.S., E.G. (Emiliano Giovagnoni) and A.C.; supervision, E.G. (Emiliano Giovagnoni); project administration, R.C. and A.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by Aboca S.p.A., the manufacturer of the medical device.

Institutional Review Board Statement

In accordance with the relevant regulations, ethical approval was not sought since the data were retrieved from voluntary online surveys.

Informed Consent Statement

The participants voluntarily decided to adhere to the survey. Moreover, participants received a data protection notice clearly stating that the legal basis for data processing is established under applicable regulations (Art. 6(1)(c) and Art. 9(2)(i) of the GDPR; Art. 2-sexies, letter z of Legislative Decree 196/2003; and Art. 83 of EU Regulation 745/2017). They had to confirm having read a specific privacy notice and authorize the data processing despite the fact that processing was based on a legal obligation, and no explicit informed consent was required under the GDPR.

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy and ethical restrictions.

Conflicts of Interest

R.C., E.G. (Emiliano Giovagnoni), A.C., E.G. (Elena Gabriele) and R.L.S. are employees of the research promoter and worked on this project as part of their employment (Aboca SpA). The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as potential conflicts of interest.

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used in this manuscript:
MetSMetabolic syndrome
QoLQuality of life
HCPsHealthcare professionals
TGTriglycerides
HDL-CHigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol
T2DMType 2 diabetes mellitus
BMIBody mass index
IFGImpaired fasting glucose
IGTImpaired glucose tolerance
MTFMetformin
SBMDSubstance-based medical device
NPGRNeo-Policaptil® Gel Retard
RWDReal world data
PGRPolicaptil Gel Retard®
GPsGeneral practitioners
GLP-1Glucagon-like peptide-1
USEsUnusual serious events
RWEReal-world evidence
MAFLDMetabolic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

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Healthcare 13 03293 g001
Figure 1. Conditions for which the product was used or prescribed, as reported by patients (A), child caregivers (B), physicians (C), and pharmacists (D). All results in the figure refer to multiple-response questions, with the percentages indicating the proportion of responders who selected each response. MetS: Metabolic Syndrome.
Figure 1. Conditions for which the product was used or prescribed, as reported by patients (A), child caregivers (B), physicians (C), and pharmacists (D). All results in the figure refer to multiple-response questions, with the percentages indicating the proportion of responders who selected each response. MetS: Metabolic Syndrome.
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Figure 2. Association of NPGR with other therapeutic interventions, as reported by patients (A), child caregivers (B), physicians (C), and pharmacists (D). All results in the figure refer to multiple-response questions, with the percentages indicating the proportion of responders who selected each response. * = previous unsuccessful therapies; ** = no previous therapies.
Figure 2. Association of NPGR with other therapeutic interventions, as reported by patients (A), child caregivers (B), physicians (C), and pharmacists (D). All results in the figure refer to multiple-response questions, with the percentages indicating the proportion of responders who selected each response. * = previous unsuccessful therapies; ** = no previous therapies.
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Figure 3. Effectiveness, safety/tolerability and impact on QoL. Boxplots represent Likert scale ratings for (A) perceived efficacy, (B) safety and tolerability, and (C) impact on quality of life (QoL) of NPGR, as reported by different groups of participants (patient/child caregivers, pharmacists, physicians). For each item, responses were transformed into numerical values from 5 (most favourable) to 1 (least favourable). The boxplots show the distribution of ratings within each group, with the mean value indicated by a red diamond. All data refer to single-response questions.
Figure 3. Effectiveness, safety/tolerability and impact on QoL. Boxplots represent Likert scale ratings for (A) perceived efficacy, (B) safety and tolerability, and (C) impact on quality of life (QoL) of NPGR, as reported by different groups of participants (patient/child caregivers, pharmacists, physicians). For each item, responses were transformed into numerical values from 5 (most favourable) to 1 (least favourable). The boxplots show the distribution of ratings within each group, with the mean value indicated by a red diamond. All data refer to single-response questions.
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Figure 4. Specific impact on QoL. (A) QoL improvements experienced by patients. (B) QoL improvements in children, as reported by caregivers. All data refer to multiple-response questions, with the percentages indicating the proportion of responders who selected each response.
Figure 4. Specific impact on QoL. (A) QoL improvements experienced by patients. (B) QoL improvements in children, as reported by caregivers. All data refer to multiple-response questions, with the percentages indicating the proportion of responders who selected each response.
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MDPI and ACS Style

Gabriele, E.; Cioeta, R.; Muti, P.; Rigoni, M.; La Salvia, R.; Cossu, A.; Giovagnoni, E. From Altered Metabolic and Anthropometric Parameters to Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Survey on the Effectiveness and Safety of Neo-Policaptil® Gel Retard. Healthcare 2025, 13, 3293. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13243293

AMA Style

Gabriele E, Cioeta R, Muti P, Rigoni M, La Salvia R, Cossu A, Giovagnoni E. From Altered Metabolic and Anthropometric Parameters to Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Survey on the Effectiveness and Safety of Neo-Policaptil® Gel Retard. Healthcare. 2025; 13(24):3293. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13243293

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gabriele, Elena, Roberto Cioeta, Paola Muti, Marta Rigoni, Roberta La Salvia, Andrea Cossu, and Emiliano Giovagnoni. 2025. "From Altered Metabolic and Anthropometric Parameters to Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Survey on the Effectiveness and Safety of Neo-Policaptil® Gel Retard" Healthcare 13, no. 24: 3293. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13243293

APA Style

Gabriele, E., Cioeta, R., Muti, P., Rigoni, M., La Salvia, R., Cossu, A., & Giovagnoni, E. (2025). From Altered Metabolic and Anthropometric Parameters to Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Survey on the Effectiveness and Safety of Neo-Policaptil® Gel Retard. Healthcare, 13(24), 3293. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13243293

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