Pharmacotherapy for weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Effectiveness and safety of drugs for obesity

Recent publicity around the use of new antiobesity medications (AOMs) has focused the attention of patients and healthcare providers on the role of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of obesity. Newer drug treatments have shown greater efficacy and safety compared with older drug treatments, yet access to these drug treatments is limited by providers' discomfort in prescribing, bias, and stigma around obesity, as well as by the lack of insurance coverage. Now more than ever, healthcare providers must be able to discuss the risks and benefits of the full range of antiobesity medications available to patients, and to incorporate both guideline based advice and emerging real world clinical evidence into daily clinical practice. The tremendous variability in response to antiobesity medications means that clinicians need to use a flexible approach that takes advantage of specific features of the antiobesity medication selected to provide the best option for individual patients. Future research is needed on how best to use available drug treatments in real world practice settings, the potential role of combination therapies, and the cost effectiveness of antiobesity medications. Several new drug treatments are being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials, suggesting that the future for pharmacotherapy of obesity is bright.

Body weight time in target range and cardiovascular outcomes in adults with overweight/obesity and type 2 diabetes

AIMS

Prescription of weight loss to individuals is often characterized by weight fluctuations. However, current body weight management metrics may have difficulty characterizing the changes in body weight over time. We aim to characterize the long-term changes using body weight time in target range (TTR) and test its independent association with cardiovascular outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included 4468 adults from the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) trial. Body weight TTR was defined as the percentage of time during which body weight was within the Look AHEAD weight loss goal range. The associations of body weight TTR with cardiovascular outcomes were analysed using multivariable Cox modelling and restricted cubic spline function. Among the participants (mean age 58.9 years, 58.5% women, 66.5% White), there were 721 incident primary outcomes [cumulative incidence: 17.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 16.3-18.8%] during a median of 9.5 years of follow-up. Each 1 SD increase in body weight TTR was significantly associated with a decreased risk of the primary outcome (hazard ratio: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.75-0.94) after adjusting for mean and variability of body weight and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Further analyses using restricted cubic spline indicated the inverse association between body weight TTR and the primary outcome in a dose-dependent manner. Similar associations remained significant among the participants with lower baseline or mean body weight.

CONCLUSION

In adults with overweight/obesity and type 2 diabetes, higher body weight TTR was independently associated with lower risks of cardiovascular adverse events in a dose-response manner.

Use of Fluoxetine to Reduce Weight in Adults with Overweight or Obesity: Abridged Republication of the Cochrane Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Using fluoxetine is one of many weight loss strategies. A serotonin reuptake inhibitor indicated for depression believed to impact weight control by changing an individual's appetite; however, its benefit-risk ratio is unclear. The aim of this review was to assess the efficacy and safety of fluoxetine in reducing weight in adults with overweight or obesity.

METHODS

We searched Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, and other databases without language restrictions. Cochrane Collaboration tool and GRADE instrument assessed the risk of bias of randomized controlled trials and certainty of their evidence. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses and calculated the risk ratio/mean difference with 95% confidence intervals for the outcomes.

RESULTS

We included 19 trials (2,216 adults) and found that fluoxetine may reduce weight by -2.7 kg (95% CI -4 to -1.4; p < 0.001) and body mass index by -1.1 kg/m2 (95% CI -3.7 to 1.4), compared with placebo; however, it would cause approximately twice as many adverse events, such as dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, insomnia, or nausea.

CONCLUSIONS

Although low-certainty evidence suggests that off-label fluoxetine may reduce weight, high-certainty research is needed to be conducted in the future to determine its effects exclusively as well as whether it is useful when combined with other agents. This article is based on a Cochrane Review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2019, Issue 10, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011688.pub2. Cochrane Reviews are regularly updated as new evidence emerges, and in response to feedback, it should be consulted for the most recent version of the review.

Effect of Ramadan fasting on glycaemic parameters & body mass index in type II diabetic patients: A meta-analysis

Background & objectives:

There has been an ongoing debate about the impact of Ramadan fasting (RF) on the health of these individuals who fast during Ramadan. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the relationship between RF and glycaemic parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

Methods:

Search terms were decided and databases such as MEDLINE EBSCO, Google Scholar and EMBASE were searched for eligible studies. Standardized mean differences and 95 per cent confidence intervals (CIs) of post-prandial plasma glucose (PPG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA_1c) (%) and fructosamine levels were calculated for different treatment regimens.

Results:

Of the 40 studies, 19 were found eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Based on pooled results, significant reductions in FPG were found in single oral antidiabetics (OAD) [standardized weighted mean difference (SMD)=0.47, 95% CI=(0.20-0.74)], multi-OAD [SMD=0.36, 95% CI=(0.11-0.61)] and multitreatment subgroups [SMD=0.65, 95% CI=(0.03-1.27)] and overall [SMD=0.48, 95% CI=(0.27-0.70)]. Furthermore, HbA_1c (%) [SMD=0.26, 95% CI=(0.03-0.49)] and body mass index (BMI) [SMD=0.18, 95% CI=(0.04-0.31)] were significantly decreased in the multi-OAD group.

Interpretation & conclusions:

The meta-analysis showed that RF was not associated with any significant negative effects on PPG and fructosamine levels. However, BMI and FPG and HbA_1c (%) were positively affected by RF.

Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery Versus Medical Management for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

INTRODUCTION

Bariatric surgery improves type 2 diabetes (T2D) in obese patients. The sustainability of these effects and the long-term results have been under question.

OBJECTIVE

To compare bariatric surgery versus medical management (MM) for T2D based on a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 2 years of follow-up.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seven RCTs with at least 2-year follow-up were identified. The primary endpoint was remission of T2D (full or partial). Four hundred sixty-three patients with T2D and body mass index > 25 kg/m² were evaluated.

RESULTS

After 2 years, T2D remission was observed in 138 of 263 patients (52.5%) with bariatric surgery compared to seven of 200 patients (3.5%) with MM (risk ratio (RR) = 10, 95% CI 5.5-17.9, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) showed a significant effect size at 2 years in favor of RYGB over MM for a higher decrease of HbA1C (0.9 percentage points, 95% CI 0.6-1.1, p < 0.001), decrease of fasting blood glucose (35.3 mg/dl, 95% CI 13.3-57.3, p = 0.002), increase of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (12.2 mg/dl, 95% CI 7.6-16.8, p < 0.001), and decrease of triglycerides (32.4 mg/dl, 95% CI 4.5-60.3, p = 0.02). Four studies followed patients up to 5 years and showed 62 of 225 patients (27.5%) with remission after surgery, compared to six of 156 patients (3.8%) with MM (RR = 6, 95% CI 2.7-13, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis shows a superior and persistent effect of bariatric surgery versus MM for inducement of remission of T2D. This benefit of bariatric surgery was significant at 2 years and superior to MM even after 5 years. Compared with MM, patients with RYGB had better glycemic control and improved levels of HDL and triglycerides.

Fluoxetine for adults who are overweight or obese

BACKGROUND

Fluoxetine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor indicated for major depression. It is also thought to affect weight control: this seems to happen through appetite changes resulting in decreased food intake and normalisation of unusual eating behaviours. However, the benefit-risk ratio of this off-label medication is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of fluoxetine for overweight or obese adults.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, the ICTRP Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov and World Health Organization (WHO) ICTRP Search Portal. The last date of the search was December 2018 for all databases, to which we applied no language restrictions .

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the administration of fluoxetine versus placebo, other anti-obesity agents, non-pharmacological therapy or no treatment in overweight or obese adults without depression, mental illness or abnormal eating patterns.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened abstracts and titles for relevance. Screening for inclusion, data extraction and risk of bias assessment was performed by one author and checked by the second. We assessed trials for the overall certainty of the evidence using the GRADE instrument. For additional information we contacted trial authors by email. We performed random-effects meta-analyses and calculated the risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for dichotomous outcomes and the mean difference (MD) with 95% CI for continuous outcomes.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 1036 records, scrutinized 52 full-text articles and included 19 completed RCTs (one trial is awaiting assessment). A total of 2216 participants entered the trials, 1280 participants were randomly assigned to fluoxetine (60 mg/d, 40 mg/d, 20 mg/d and 10 mg/d) and 936 participants were randomly assigned to various comparison groups (placebo; the anti-obesity agents diethylpropion, fenproporex, mazindol, sibutramine, metformin, fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, fluvoxamine, 5-hydroxy-tryptophan; no treatment; and omega-3 gel). Within the 19 RCTs there were 56 trial arms. Fifteen trials were parallel RCTs and four were cross-over RCTs. The participants in the included trials were followed up for periods between three weeks and one year. The certainty of the evidence was low or very low: the majority of trials had a high risk of bias in one or more of the risk of bias domains.For our main comparison group - fluoxetine versus placebo - and across all fluoxetine dosages and durations of treatment, the MD was -2.7 kg (95% CI -4 to -1.4; P < 0.001; 10 trials, 956 participants; low-certainty evidence). The 95% prediction interval ranged between -7.1 kg and 1.7 kg. The MD in body mass index (BMI) reduction across all fluoxetine dosages compared with placebo was -1.1 kg/m² (95% CI -3.7 to 1.4; 3 trials, 97 participants; very low certainty evidence). Only nine placebo-controlled trials reported adverse events. A total of 399 out of 627 participants (63.6%) receiving fluoxetine compared with 352 out of 626 participants (56.2%) receiving placebo experienced an adverse event. Random-effects meta-analysis showed an increase in the risk of having at least one adverse event of any type in the fluoxetine groups compared with placebo (RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.42; P = 0.07; 9 trials, 1253 participants; low-certainty evidence). The 95% prediction interval ranged between 0.74 and 1.88. Following fluoxetine treatment the adverse events of dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, insomnia and nausea were observed approximately twice as often compared to placebo. A total of 15 out of 197 participants (7.6%) receiving fluoxetine compared with 12 out of 196 participants (6.1%) receiving placebo experienced depression. The RR across all fluoxetine doses compared with placebo was 1.20 (95% CI 0.57 to 2.52; P = 0.62; 3 trials, 393 participants; very low certainty evidence). All-cause mortality, health-related quality of life and socioeconomic effects were not reported.The comparisons of fluoxetine with other anti-obesity agents (3 trials, 234 participants), omega-3 gel (1 trial, 48 participants) and no treatment (1 trial, 60 participants) showed inconclusive results (very low certainty evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Low-certainty evidence suggests that off-label fluoxetine may decrease weight compared with placebo. However, low-certainty evidence suggests an increase in the risk for dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, insomnia and nausea following fluoxetine treatment.

Associations of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity and body mass index with glycated haemoglobin within the general population: a cross-sectional analysis of the 2008 Health Survey for England

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the associations of objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and body mass index (BMI) with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in a national sample of English adults.

METHODS

The 2008 Health Survey for England data were used with 1109 participants aged ≥18 providing complete data. MVPA time was assessed using an accelerometer. Weighted linear regression models, adjusted for several confounders, quantified the associations between continuous measures of MVPA and BMI with HbA1c. Interaction analyses were implemented to observe whether the association of MVPA with HbA1c was modified by BMI or vice versa. Further weighted linear regression models examined the differences in HbA1c across four mutually exclusive categories of MVPA and BMI: (1) 'physically active and non-obese', (2) 'physically active and obese', (3) 'physically inactive and non-obese' and (4) 'physically inactive and obese'. 'Physically active' was defined as: ≥150 min/week of MVPA. 'Obese' was defined as: BMI ≥30.0 kg/m². A wide range of sensitivity analyses were also implemented.

RESULTS

Every 30 min/day increment in MVPA was associated with a 0.7 mmol/mol (0.07% (p<0.001)) lower HbA1c level. Each 1 kg/m² increment in BMI was associated with a 0.2 mmol/mol (0.02% (p<0.001)) higher HbA1c level. The association of MVPA with HbA1c was stronger in obese individuals (-1.5 mmol/mol (-0.13% (p<0.001))) than non-obese individuals (-0.7 mmol/mol (-0.06% (p<0.001))); p=0.004 for interaction. The association of BMI with HbA1c remained stable across MVPA categories. Compared with individuals categorised as 'physically inactive and obese', only those categorised as 'physically active and obese' or 'physically active and non-obese' had lower HbA1c levels by 2.1 mmol/mol (0.19% (p=0.005)) and 3.5 mmol/mol (0.32% (p<0.001)), respectively. Sensitivity analyses indicated robustness and stability.

CONCLUSIONS

This study emphasises the importance of physical activity as a determinant of HbA1c, and suggests that the associations may be stronger in obese adults.

Adverse Psychiatric Effects Associated with Herbal Weight-Loss Products

Obesity and overeating are among the most prevalent health concerns worldwide and individuals are increasingly using performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) as an easy and fast way to control their weight. Among these, herbal weight-loss products (HWLPs) often attract users due to their health claims, assumed safety, easy availability, affordable price, extensive marketing, and the perceived lack of need for professional oversight. Reports suggest that certain HWLPs may lead to onset or exacerbation of psychiatric disturbances. Here we review the available evidence on psychiatric adverse effects of HWLPs due to their intrinsic toxicity and potential for interaction with psychiatric medications.

The importance of weight management in type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

The obesity epidemic is driving the increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the vast majority of patients with T2DM are overweight or obese. Excess body weight is associated with the risk of cardiometabolic complications, which are major causes of morbidity and mortality in T2DM.

AIMS

To review evidence about effects of weight loss in pre-diabetes and established T2DM.

RESULTS

In prediabetes, weight loss has been shown to delay the onset or decrease the risk of T2DM, while in established T2DM weight loss has been shown to improve glycaemic control, with severe calorie restriction even reversing the progression of T2DM. Observational studies support the reduction in cardiovascular risk factors following weight loss in patients with T2DM. However, data from the randomised Look AHEAD trial revealed intensive weight loss interventions did not reduce the rate of cardiovascular events in overweight or obese adults with T2DM, and secondary analyses of other large cardiovascular outcomes trials have also been inconclusive. However, besides cardiovascular risk, other documented benefits of weight loss in T2DM include improvements in quality of life, mobility, and physical and sexual function.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians should encourage weight loss in all overweight patients with or at risk of T2DM, and should consider the impact on weight when choosing the most appropriate glucose-lowering therapies for these patients.

Obesity, Complexity, and the Role of the Health System

As obesity continues to increase throughout the world, there is still no well-defined solution to the issue. Reducing obesity poses a significant challenge for the health care system because it is a complex problem with numerous interconnections and elements. The complexity of obesity challenges traditional primary care practices that have been structured to address simple or less complicated conditions. Systems thinking provides a way forward for clinicians that are discouraged or overwhelmed by the complexity of obesity. At any given level, individuals matter and system functioning is optimized when our capacity is well matched to the complexity of our tasks. Shifting paradigms around the causes of obesity is essential for creating a health care system that promotes innovative and collaborative practice for healthcare practitioners and individuals dealing with obesity.

Efficacy and safety of the once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist lixisenatide in monotherapy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with type 2 diabetes (GetGoal-Mono)

OBJECTIVE

To assess efficacy and safety of lixisenatide monotherapy in type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Randomized, double-blind, 12-week study of 361 patients not on glucose-lowering therapy (HbA(1c) 7-10%) allocated to one of four once-daily subcutaneous dose increase regimens: lixisenatide 2-step (10 μg for 1 week, 15 μg for 1 week, and then 20 μg; n = 120), lixisenatide 1-step (10 μg for 2 weeks and then 20 μg; n = 119), placebo 2-step (n = 61), or placebo 1-step (n = 61) (placebo groups were combined for analyses). Primary end point was HbA(1c) change from baseline to week 12.

RESULTS

Once-daily lixisenatide significantly improved HbA(1c) (mean baseline 8.0%) in both groups (least squares mean change vs. placebo: -0.54% for 2-step, -0.66% for 1-step; P < 0.0001). Significantly more lixisenatide patients achieved HbA(1c) <7.0% (52.2% 2-step, 46.5% 1-step) and ≤ 6.5% (31.9% 2-step, 25.4% 1-step) versus placebo (26.8% and 12.5%, respectively; P < 0.01). Lixisenatide led to marked significant improvements of 2-h postprandial glucose levels and blood glucose excursions measured during a standardized breakfast test. A significant decrease in fasting plasma glucose was observed in both lixisenatide groups versus placebo. Mean decreases in body weight (∼2 kg) were observed in all groups. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal-nausea was the most frequent (lixisenatide 23% overall, placebo 4.1%). Symptomatic hypoglycemia occurred in 1.7% of lixisenatide and 1.6% of placebo patients, with no severe episodes. Safety/tolerability was similar for the two dose regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

Once-daily lixisenatide monotherapy significantly improved glycemic control with a pronounced postprandial effect (75% reduction in glucose excursion) and was safe and well tolerated in type 2 diabetes.

A cross-sectional study assessing the self-reported weight loss strategies used by adult Australian general practice patients

Background

Obesity is a significant public health concern. General practitioners (GPs) see a large percentage of the population and are well placed to provide weight management advice. There has been little examination of the types of weight loss strategies used in Australian general practice patients. This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the proportion of normal weight, overweight and obese general practice patients who report trying to lose weight in the past 12 months, the types of weight loss strategies and diets used as well as the proportion consulting their GP prior to trying to lose weight.

Methods

Adult patients completed a touchscreen computer survey while waiting for their appointment. Responses from 1335 patients in twelve Australian practices are reported.

Results

A larger proportion of obese patients had tried to lose weight in the past 12 months (73%) compared to those who were overweight (55%) and normal weight (33%). The most commonly used strategy used was changing diet and increasing exercise in all BMI categories. Less than 10% used strategies such as prescription medication, over the counter supplements and consulted a weight loss specialist. Low calorie and low fat diets were the most frequently reported diets used to lose weight in those who were normal weight, overweight and obese. Overall, the proportion seeking GP advice was low, with 12% of normal weight, 15% of overweight and 43% of obese patients consulting their GP prior to trying to lose weight.

Conclusions

A large proportion of overweight or obese patients have tried to lose weight and utilized strategies such as changing diet and increasing exercise. Most attempts however were unassisted, with low rates of consultation with GPs and weight loss specialists. Ways to assist overweight and obese general practice patients with their weight loss attempts need to be identified.

Drug treatment for obesity in the post-sibutramine era

Obesity is a major health problem worldwide. It is associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and decreased longevity. In managing obesity, diet and exercise are essential; pharmacological therapy may be added for obese patients or overweight patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Sibutramine is a serotonergic and adrenergic drug that reduces food intake and increases thermogenesis. It reduces bodyweight by about 4.2 kg after 12 months, and improves blood glucose and lipids; however, it can increase heart rate and blood pressure. In the SCOUT (Sibutramine Cardiovascular OUTcomes) study, sibutramine increased serious cardiovascular events, such as stroke or myocardial infarction, compared with placebo, and was consequently withdrawn from the market. The lesson learnt from this is the importance of patient selection, limiting the duration of treatment and stopping treatment in non-responders. Currently, phentermine and amfepramone (diethylpropion) are approved for short-term treatment of obesity (up to 3 months) and orlistat is approved for longer-term treatment; however, the gastrointestinal adverse effects of orlistat may be intolerable for some patients. There is now a clear need to find anti-obesity drugs that are effective and safe in the long term.

Metabolic effects of fluoxetine in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of obesity and diabetes is increasing dramatically throughout the world. Studies have shown that excess adiposity is a critical predictor of new onset T2DM. This meta-analysis is aimed to assess the metabolic effects of fluoxetine in T2DM.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Electronic search was conducted in the database Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library, from inception through to March 2011. A systematic review of the studies on the metabolic effects of fluoxetine in T2DM was performed. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and its 95% CI were calculated from the raw data extracted from the original literature. The software Review Manager (version 4.3.1) and Stata (version 11.0) were applied for meta-analysis. Five randomized, placebo-controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. According to WMD calculation, fluoxetine therapy led to 4.27 Kg of weight loss (95%CI 2.58-5.97, P<0.000 01), 1.41 mmol/L of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) decrement (95%CI 0.19-2.64, P = 0.02) and 0.54 mmol/L of triglyceride (TG) reduction (95%CI 0.35-0.73, P<0.000 01) compared with placebo. Moreover, fluoxetine therapy produced 0.78% of HbA1c decrement (95%CI -0.23-1.78). However, this effect was not statistically significant (P = 0.13).

CONCLUSIONS

Short period of fluoxetine therapy can lead to weight loss as well as reduction of FPG, HbA1c and TG in T2DM.

Bariatric surgery: an IDF statement for obese Type 2 diabetes

The International Diabetes Federation Taskforce on Epidemiology and Prevention of Diabetes convened a consensus working group of diabetologists, endocrinologists, surgeons and public health experts to review the appropriate role of surgery and other gastrointestinal interventions in the treatment and prevention of Type 2 diabetes. The specific goals were: to develop practical recommendations for clinicians on patient selection; to identify barriers to surgical access and suggest interventions for health policy changes that ensure equitable access to surgery when indicated; and to identify priorities for research. Bariatric surgery can significantly improve glycaemic control in severely obese patients with Type 2 diabetes. It is an effective, safe and cost-effective therapy for obese Type 2 diabetes. Surgery can be considered an appropriate treatment for people with Type 2 diabetes and obesity not achieving recommended treatment targets with medical therapies, especially in the presence of other major co-morbidities. The procedures must be performed within accepted guidelines and require appropriate multidisciplinary assessment for the procedure, comprehensive patient education and ongoing care, as well as safe and standardized surgical procedures. National guidelines for bariatric surgery need to be developed for people with Type 2 diabetes and a BMI of 35 kg/m(2) or more.

Phentermine and topiramate for the management of obesity: a review

Obesity is now a major public health concern worldwide with increasing prevalence and a growing list of comorbidities and complications. The morbidity, mortality and reduced productivity associated with obesity and its complications result in a major burden to health care costs. Obesity is a complex chronic medical syndrome often with multiple different etiologic factors in individual patients. The long term successful management of obesity remains particularly challenging and invariably requires a multifaceted approach including lifestyle and behavioral modification, increased physical activity, and adjunctive pharmacotherapy. Bariatric surgery remains a last resort though at present it has the best results for achieving sustained robust weight loss. Obesity pharmacotherapy has been very limited in its role for long term obesity management because of the past history of several failed agents as well as the fact that presently available agents are few, and generally utilized as monotherapy. The recent FDA approval of the fixed drug combination of phentermine and extended release topiramate (topiramate-ER) (trade name Qsymia™) marks the first FDA approved combination pharmacotherapeutic agent for obesity since the Phen-Fen combination of the 1990s. This review details the history and clinical trial basis for the use of both phentermine and topiramate in obesity therapeutics as well as the results of clinical trials of their combination for obesity treatment in humans. The initial clinical approval trials offer evidence that this fixed drug combination offers synergistic potential for effective, robust and sustained weight loss with mean weight loss of at least 10% of baseline achieved and sustained for up to 2 years in over 50% of subjects treated. It is anticipated that this agent will be the first in a new trend of multi-agent combination therapy for the chronic adjunctive management of obesity.

Predictors of weight loss and maintenance in patients treated with antiobesity drugs

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of obesity and related diseases has increased enormously in the last few decades, becoming a very important medical and social issue. Because of the increasing number of people who need weight loss therapies and the high costs associated with these, the search for reliable predictors of success for weight loss and weight maintenance treatments has become a priority.

OBJECTIVE

A literature review was undertaken to identify possible predictors of outcome of weight loss and weight maintenance in patients treated with antiobesity drugs.

RESULTS

For the majority of variables, published data are not sufficient to define their role on final outcomes. Among all considered factors, only early response to treatment appeared to be a reliable positive predictor, and diabetes a negative predictor of weight loss and maintenance.

CONCLUSION

To date, no definitive results have been obtained. Due to the great benefits of reliable predictors of outcome associated to currently available antiobesity drugs and those under development, identifying these predictors has to be supported and encouraged.

Metabolic Syndrome: Screening, Diagnosis, and Management

Metabolic syndrome, a growing issue in women's health, is a cluster of health findings that increase the risk of cardiovascular events. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is higher in women and is linked to several conditions unique to women's health, including polycystic ovary syndrome, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and female sexual dysfunction. Risk factors, screening strategies, and therapeutic management of metabolic syndrome in women are discussed.

Clinical and economic considerations of antiobesity treatment: a review of orlistat

The objective of this study was to review the current knowledge about the use of orlistat from clinical and economic perspectives, and to assess this drug's public health impact. Weight reduction by current antiobesity drugs, compared to placebo, is at most around 5 kg. Orlistat, the most studied antiobesity drug, is associated with the least-severe adverse effects, but compared with other drugs in its class it also delivers the most modest weight loss versus placebo (less than 3 kg). Orlistat appears to have a favorable risk/benefit profile, and cost-effectiveness ratios seem to be within a range that is generally considered acceptable. In the short-term, orlistat is related to reduced diabetes incidence and to slightly improved blood pressure and lipid profiles. Long-term clinical effects have been largely unstudied, however, and this study did not find reports that considered mortality as an endpoint. Given a very low continuation with orlistat treatment in the population and very modest and, apparently, only short-term clinical effects, orlistat is not likely to have a significant impact on the population health. Public health approaches of improving environmental and social factors to foster healthier food choices and increase physical activity remain essential for addressing the obesity epidemic.

The morbidity and mortality associated with overweight and obesity in adulthood: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Overweight and obesity are generally thought to elevate morbidity and mortality. New data call this supposed association into question.

METHODS

The Cochrane, Pubmed, and other databases were systematically searched for a combination of relevant terms and subject headings. Meta-analyses and cohort studies based on the German population were evaluated for possible associations between overweight/ obesity and adult morbidity and mortality. Case-control and cross-sectional studies were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 27 meta-analyses and 15 cohort studies were evaluated. The overall mortality of overweight persons (body mass index [BMI] 25-29.9 kg/m(2)) is no higher than that of persons of normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)), but their mortality from individual diseases is elevated, diminished or unchanged, depending on the particular disease. The overall morbidity is unknown. Both obesity (BMI >30 kg/m(2)) and overweight are associated with increased disease-specific morbidity for some diseases, but decreased or unchanged for others. In general, obesity confers a higher risk than overweight. Morbidity and mortality are markedly influenced by the patient's age, sex, ethnic origin, and social status. The external validity of the comparative predictive performance (c-statistic) of BMI, waist circumference, and ratio of waist to hip circumference cannot be determined from the available analyses.

CONCLUSION

The prevailing notion that overweight increases morbidity and mortality, as compared to so-called normal weight, is in need of further specification. Obesity, however, is indeed associated with an elevated risk for most of the diseases studied.

Treatment of refractory obesity in severely obese adults following management of newly diagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) pharmacological treatment of severely obese subjects with newly diagnosed ADHD would result in sustained weight loss.

DESIGN

Longitudinal clinical intervention study of the effects of ADHD medication on weight change over 466 days.

SUBJECTS

78 subjects (6 male, 72 female, mean age 41.3 years, BMI 42.7 kg m(-2)) out of 242 consecutively referred severely obese, weight loss refractory individuals were diagnosed as having ADHD. Sixty-five subjects received treatment and 13 remained as controls.

METHODS

Standard screening tests identified subjects likely to have ADHD. A diagnosis was made in 78 subjects by semi-structured clinical interview. ADHD subjects were screened for comorbid conditions (binge eating disorder, mood disorder, sleep apnea, chronic pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease). Satisfactory resolution of symptoms of comorbid conditions was achieved prior to the introduction of pharmacotherapy for ADHD. Subjects not accepting, tolerating or remaining on ADHD medication served as controls. Weight was measured at sequential clinic visits after initiation of pharmacotherapy.

RESULTS

Comorbid conditions were found to be highly prevalent (sleep apnea 56.4%, binge eating disorder 65.4%, mood disorder 88.4%). After an average of 466 days (s.d.=260) of continuous ADHD pharmacotherapy, weight change in treated subjects was -12.36% of initial weight and in controls +2.78%, P<0.001. Weight loss in treated subjects was 15.05 kg (10.35%) and weight gain 3.26 kg (7.03%) in controls, P<0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

ADHD is a highly prevalent condition in the severely obese population. Treatment of ADHD is associated with significant long-term weight loss in individuals with a lengthy history of weight loss failure. This result is likely because of the positive effects of treatment on self-directedness, persistence and novelty-seeking behaviors. ADHD should be considered as a primary cause of weight loss failure in the obese. Individuals seeking medical or surgical weight loss should be evaluated for ADHD and treated appropriately before intervention. This may improve the outcome for medically managed patients and avoid complications in surgical subjects because of poor compliance with diet and supplement requirements.

Current pharmacotherapeutic concepts for the treatment of obesity in adults

Obesity is one of the greatest public health challenges of the twenty-first century. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that in 2005 approximately 1.6 billion adults were overweight and at least 400 million adults were obese. The prevalence of obesity is still continuing to increase dramatically. Overweight and obese people carry a higher risk for a variety of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral occlusive artery disease. Weight loss is considered to be the initial step which helps to prevent or to control the clinical consequences of obesity. In a great number of patients who are not able to reduce weight by means of non-pharmacological measures, drug therapy can assist in reaching the weight management targets. Drug treatment should only be considered as part of a systematic weight management program including dietary and lifestyle changes. This review summarizes current pharmacotherapeutic concepts for the treatment of obesity in adults focusing on efficacy and safety of anti-obesity drugs.

[Pharmacotherapy of obesity]

Diet, exercise and behavioral therapy are the basics for every treatment of obesity. If lifestyle intervention does not result in a weight loss of 5% within 3 to 6 months, an additional pharmacotherapy can be considered. Treated patients should have a BMI >/=30 kg/m(2) or at least a BMI >/=27 kg/m(2) plus accompanying comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia or hypertension. Current guidelines list orlistat, sibutramine and rimonabant as possible options for the pharmacotherapy of obesity. These compounds result in moderate weight reduction and improvement of cardiovascular risk profile. Especially the improvement of glucose metabolism can be considered as clinically relevant. Different side effects of the various compounds need to be considered before their use. Additional options for the pharmacotherapy of obesity are currently developed, their approval, however, is unlikely to happen within the next couple of years.

Predicting 1-year change in body mass index among college students

OBJECTIVE

Despite beliefs about weight gain in college, few researchers have evaluated this phenomenon.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 18- to 31-year-old students at a midwestern university. The dependent variable was body mass index (BMI) change.

METHODS

The authors extracted predictor variables from a Health Risk Appraisal. These included clinical, medical history, medical usage, medications, pain or chronic conditions, perceptual measures, and behavioral factors. The authors performed an ordinal regression technique separately by gender.

RESULTS

No predictors were significant for men. Women in the BMI gain group were (1) more likely to consume alcohol, use maladaptive coping behaviors, eat foods low in fiber, and consume caffeine; and (2) less likely to be stress-free, to eat cruciferous vegetables, and to refrain from eating high-cholesterol foods.

CONCLUSIONS

The lack of research on predictors of and interventions for reducing BMI gain among college students warrants more research.

Obesity management: update on orlistat

Over the past 20 years obesity has become a worldwide concern of frightening proportion. The World Health Organization estimates that there are over 400 million obese and over 1.6 billion overweight adults, a figure which is projected to almost double by 2015. This is not a disease restricted to adults - at least 20 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight in 2005 (WHO 2006). Overweight and obesity lead to serious health consequences including coronary artery disease, stroke, type-2 diabetes, heart failure, dyslipidemia, hypertension, reproductive and gastrointestinal cancers, gallstones, fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis and sleep apnea (Padwal et al 2003). Modest weight loss in the obese of between 5% and 10% of bodyweight is associated with improvements in cardiovascular risk profiles and reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes (Goldstein 1992; Avenell et al 2004; Padwal and Majumdar 2007). Orlistat, a gastric and pancreatic lipase inhibitor that reduces dietary fat absorption by approximately 30%, has been approved for use for around ten years (Zhi et al 1994; Hauptman 2000). There is now a growing body of evidence to suggest that Orlistat assists weight loss and that it may also have additional benefits. The aim of this review is to provide a brief update on the current literature studying the efficacy, safety and significance of the use of Orlistat in clinical practice.

Retinal function and histopathology in rabbits treated with Topiramate

PURPOSE

To evaluate retinal function and histopathology in rabbits treated orally with the anti-epileptic drug topiramate.

METHODS

Six rabbits were treated with a daily oral dose of topiramate during a period of eight months. Six rabbits receiving water served as controls. Blood samples were analyzed for determination of topiramate serum levels in order to ensure successful drug exposition. Standardized full-field electroretinograms (ERGs) were performed before treatment and then at 2, 3 and 8 months during the treatment period. After terminating treatment the rabbits were sacrificed and the morphology of the sectioned retina was studied.

RESULTS

After eight months of treatment the full-field ERG demonstrated normal rod function in treated and control rabbits, but the light adapted 30 Hz flicker b-wave amplitude was significantly reduced in the treated rabbits. This was the case for both the light adapted (Wilcoxon signed ranks test, P = 0.046) and the dark adapted (Wilcoxon signed ranks test, P = 0.028) 30 Hz flicker response from the treated rabbits. Retinal immunohistology revealed a severe accumulation of GABA in amacrine cells and in the inner plexiform layer in 4 of 6 treated rabbits compared to the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Topiramate, orally administrated to rabbits, may cause a significant reduction of the retinal function demonstrated by the reduced b-wave amplitude in the full-field ERG, as well as changes in immunohistology characterized by a severe accumulation of GABA in the inner retina. The retinal dysfunction and the morphological changes indicate that topiramat may damage the retina, similarly to vigabatrin (another anti-epileptic drug).

[Evidence based therapy of obesity]

For medical reasons, subjects with a BMI > or =30 kg/m(2) or a BMI > or =25 kg/m(2) and comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus should be considered for participation in a weight loss program. At present, there is a broad spectrum of measures to reduce body weight which have been validated in randomized controlled trials. The primary target of all intervention programs is to change lifestyle in order to establish an adequate calorie intake and an increase in physical activity. Other more aggressive options to escalate the efforts for reducing body weight include very low calorie diets, weight-lowering drugs and for the extreme forms of obesity surgical techniques. The treatment should be tailored to the "real world" and wishes of the individual patient. Patient empowerment is essential to achieve long-term self management of the weight problem. To effectively control the obesity epidemic it is of critical importance to establish preventive measures in the society. There is an urgent need to improve the structural prerequisites for a better treatment of people with overweight/obesity.

Obesity - an epidemic of the twenty-first century: an update for psychiatrists

Obesity is a chronic relapsing condition associated with significant morbidity and premature mortality. The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically over the last 20 years and continues to do so, primarily as a result of changes in dietary intake and exercise patterns. There are considerable challenges associated with the management of the obesity epidemic involving both public health policies and individual treatment. Management of the obese individual involves lifelong lifestyle change for all, drugs for some, and surgery for a few. Appropriate selection of patients and the setting of realistic goals are crucial to the success of any weight-reducing programme. The aim of obesity management is to reduce associated morbidity and mortality, not necessarily to restore normal body weight. While the current trends in obesity are depressing, a better understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of the condition should allow the clinician to be more optimistic for the future.

Long-term pharmacotherapy for obesity and overweight

BACKGROUND

Worldwide prevalence rates of obesity and overweight are rising and safe and effective treatment strategies are urgently needed. A number of anti-obesity agents have been studied in short-term clinical trials, but long-term efficacy and safety need to be established.

OBJECTIVES

To assess/compare the effects and safety of approved anti-obesity medications in clinical trials of at least one-year duration.

SEARCH STRATEGY

MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, the Current Science Meta-register of Controlled Trials, and reference lists of original studies and reviews were searched. Date of last search was December 2002. Drug manufacturers and two obesity experts were contacted in to detect unpublished trials. No language restrictions were imposed.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Double-blind, randomised controlled weight loss and weight maintenance trials of approved anti-obesity agents that 1) enrolled adult overweight or obese patients, 2) included a placebo control group or compared two or more anti-obesity drugs 3) used an intention-to-treat analysis, and 4) had a minimum follow-up period of one year. Abstracts and pseudo-randomised trials were not included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers independently assessed all potentially relevant citations for inclusion and methodological quality. The primary outcome measure was weight loss.

MAIN RESULTS

Of the eight anti-obesity agents investigated, only orlistat and sibutramine trials met inclusion criteria. Eleven orlistat weight loss studies (four of which reported a second year weight maintenance phase) and five sibutramine studies (three weight loss and two weight maintenance trials) were included. Attrition rates averaged 33% during the weight loss phase of orlistat trials and 43% in sibutramine studies. All patients received lifestyle modification as a co-intervention. Compared to placebo, orlistat-treated patients lost 2.7 kg (95% CI: 2.3 kg to 3.1 kg) or 2.9% (95% CI: 2.3 % to 3.4%) more weight and patients on sibutramine experienced 4.3 kg (95% CI: 3.6 kg to 4.9 kg) or 4.6% (95% CI: 3.8% to 5.4%) greater weight loss. The number of patients achieving ten percent or greater weight loss was 12% (95% CI: 8% to 16%) higher with orlistat and 15% (95% CI: 4% to 27%) higher with sibutramine therapy. Weight loss maintenance results were similar. Orlistat caused gastrointestinal side effects and sibutramine was associated with small increases in blood pressure and pulse rate.

REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS

Studies evaluating the long-term efficacy of anti-obesity agents are limited to orlistat and sibutramine. Both drugs appear modestly effective in promoting weight loss; however, interpretation is limited by high attrition rates. Longer and more methodologically rigorous studies of anti-obesity drugs that are powered to examine endpoints such as mortality and cardiovascular morbidity are required to fully evaluate any potential benefit of such agents.