The EPIGRAM pharmacoepidemiological study was conducted in general practitioners (GPs) prescribing orlistat (Xenical) in order to describe, under real clinical conditions, the management of obese or overweight patients, as well as a 1-year follow-up of a patient cohort treated with orlistat. A total of 714 GPs participated in this study and recruited a total of 6801 patients. Forty percent were treated with orlistat, 76% were women and 63% presented with a comorbidity. With a mean body mass index of 33.1+/-5.1 kg/m2, 85% of the patients treated with orlistat were in agreement with the indications of this drug. Comparison of patients treated and not treated with orlistat did not allow identification of any key factor able to predict prescription of the treatment. Patients treated with orlistat on inclusion and reviewed at least once by their doctor were followed up for an average of 11 months and a maximum of 23 months. Between 64% and 77% of patients stopped treatment with orlistat during the follow-up period. The treatment cost was the main reason for definitive treatment discontinuation for more than 50% of the patients. The average weight loss was 5% and 9% after 3 and 12 months of treatment, respectively.