Response to Comment on Rubino et al. Metabolic Surgery in the Treatment Algorithm for Type 2 Diabetes: A Joint Statement by International Diabetes Organizations. Diabetes Care 2016;39:861-877

Evaluation of the nutritional status of morbid obesity patients in the first six months after sleeve gastrectomy

Introduction

Objective: in recent years, bariatric surgery has gained popularity as a treatment for obesity worldwide. While patients do experience weight loss after surgery, it is important to be aware that serious nutritional deficiencies may also occur. This study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional status of morbidly obese patients in the first six months after sleeve gastrectomy. Methods: the study was planned as a retrospective study. The data of 76 patients aged 19-64 years who had undergone bariatric surgery and were followed by a dietitian for at least 6 months were included in the study. Preoperative and postoperative biochemical parameters and anthropometric measurements of the patients were taken. Results: the lowest body weight of the patients was found at postoperative month 6 (81.74 ± 14.83 kg), the body weight at the preoperative period (115.86 ± 21.28 kg) and postoperative month 1 (100.39 ± 18.28 kg), and the body weight at postoperative month 1 was statistically lower than at the preoperative period. The preoperative body weights and BMI values of the patients were higher than at postoperative months 1 and 6, and the postoperative month 1 values were higher than at postoperative month 6 (p < 0.05). The lowest fasting blood glucose (83.48 ± 8.44 mg/dL), HbA1c (4.96 ± 0.95 %), and Homa-IR (3.34 ± 0.92) were observed at the postoperative month 6. Compared with the preoperative period, the iron level of the patients increased from 69.54 ± 29.82 µg/dL to 96.52 ± 25.39 µg/dL in postoperative month 6, vitamin D levels from 14.48 ± 8.70 µg/dL to 23.96 ± 4.79 µg/dL. While preoperative blood triglyceride and LDL values were statistically higher than in postoperative months 1 and 6, the HDL value was lower (p < 0.05). Conclusion: as a result, after sleeve gastrectomy, patient body weight decreased, and blood lipid profile and diabetes symptoms improved.

Analysis of long-term outcome of modified gastric bypass for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese patients

BACKGROUND

Bariatric and metabolic surgery have been routinely performed following the rapid increase in obesity and metabolic diseases worldwide. Of all evolving procedures, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is considered the gold standard for surgical treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. RYGB was introduced in China nearly 20 years ago, but the number of RYGB surgeries only accounts for 3.1% of the total number of weight loss and metabolic surgeries in China, it's effect on Chinese people still needs further study.

AIM

To investigate the effect and safety of a modified gastric bypass performed in Chinese patients with T2DM.

METHODS

Patients with obesity and T2DM who underwent modified gastric bypass, with > 5-year follow-up data, were analyzed.

RESULTS

All 37 patients underwent uneventful laparoscopic surgery, no patient was switched to laparotomy during the surgery, and no severe complications were reported. Average weight and body mass index of the patients reduced from 84.6 ± 17.3 (60.0-140.0) kg and 30.9 ± 5.0 (24.7-46.2) kg/m2 to 67.1 ± 12.2 (24.7-46.2) kg and 24.6 ± 3.9 (17.7-36.5) kg/m2, respectively, and fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin decreased from 7.4 ± 3.4 mmol/L and 8.2% ± 1.7% preoperatively to 6.5 ± 1.3 mmol/L and 6.5% ± 0.9% 5-years postoperatively, respectively. Only 29.7% (11/37) of the patients used hypoglycemic drugs 5-years postoperatively, and the complete remission rate of T2DM was 29.7% (11/37). Triglyceride level reduced significantly but high-density lipoprotein increased significantly (both P < 0.05) compared with those during the preoperative period. Liver and renal function improved significantly postoperatively, and binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the patients' preoperative history of T2DM and fasting C-peptide were significant prognostic factors influencing complete T2DM remission after RYGB (P = 0.006 and 0.012, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The modified gastric bypass is a safe and feasible procedure for Chinese patients with obesity and T2DM, exhibiting satisfactory amelioration of weight problems, hyperglycemia, and combination disease.

Obesity: current state of the problem, multidisciplinary approach. (based on the consensus of the World Gastroenterological Organization “Obesity 2023” and the European guideline on obesity care in patients with gastrointestinal and liver diseases, 2022)

Obesity is the largest pandemic in the world, and its prevalence continues to increase. The purpose of the presented publication is to raise awareness of doctors about modern methods of diagnosing obesity and approaches to therapy, using an interdisciplinary team approach similar to that used in other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The article presents data from the World Gastroenterological Organization (2023) and the European Guidelines for the Treatment of Obesity in patients with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver (2022). According to modern approaches, obesity should be considered as a chronic recurrent progressive disease, the treatment of which requires a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach involving psychologists and psychiatrists, nutritionists/nutritionists, therapists, endoscopists and surgeons, including lifestyle changes, a well-defined diet and exercise regimen, drug therapy, endoscopic or surgical methods of treatment. Conclusions. In order to stop the growing wave of obesity and its many complications and costs, doctors, insurance companies and health authorities should make systematic efforts to raise public awareness of both the adverse health risks associated with obesity and the potential reduction of risks through a comprehensive approach to therapy.

Cultural Translation and Validation of the Bariatric Quality of Life Index to European Portuguese

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a chronic noncommunicable disease, defined by a body mass index over 30 kg/m2. Its impact is not restricted to its association with higher risks of mortality and morbidity from other noncommunicable diseases, but also with a decrease in quality of life (QoL). There are several tools to assess QoL, from generic health-related tools to obesity-related specific ones. However, to assess QoL in patients undergoing bariatric surgery, only the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System was available, which presented some significant problems. Therefore, the Bariatric Quality of Life (BQL) Index was developed. The aim of this study was the validation and cultural adaptation of the BQL Index for European Portuguese.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted, with the presentation of two questionnaires to the participants: BQL Index and EQ-5D-3L (European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions and 3 Level) Index. Direct translation followed reviewing, back-translation, comparison, and pilot testing were performed. Retest was done six months after the baseline. The following psychometric properties were assessed: convergent validity using the Spearman r correlation coefficient between BQL Index and EQ-5D-3L Index; internal consistency based on Cronbach alpha coefficient; and reproducibility between test and retest through Spearman r correlation coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS

A total of 260 participants were included, the mean age was 45 ± 10 years old, the mean body mass index was 44 ± 6.5 kg/m2 and 78% were females. The most frequent obesity-related comorbidities were osteoarticular disease (69%), anxiety/depression (60%), and hypertension (54%). The most common eating patterns were volume eater (67%) and sweet eater (62%). Quality of Life scores were 41.3 ± 9.3 for the BQL Index, 0.35 ± 0.19 for the EQ-5D-3L Index and 55.7 ± 19.8 for the EQ-5D-3L VAS. The translation yielded good convergent validity (r = 0.62), good internal consistency (alpha = 0.94), and good reproducibility (r = 0.62 and ICC = 0.79).

CONCLUSION

Our translation exhibited good parametric properties, with validity within the original BQL values, higher internal consistency, and good reproducibility.

Long-term effectiveness, outcomes and complications of bariatric surgery

Dietary imbalance and overeating can lead to an increasingly widespread disease - obesity. Aesthetic considerations aside, obesity is defined as an excess of adipose tissue that can lead to serious health problems and can predispose to a number of pathological changes and clinical diseases, including diabetes; hypertension; atherosclerosis; coronary artery disease and stroke; obstructive sleep apnea; depression; weight-related arthropathies and endometrial and breast cancer. A body weight 20% above ideal for age, gender and height is a severe health risk. Bariatric surgery is a set of surgical methods to treat morbid obesity when other treatments such as diet, increased physical activity, behavioral changes and drugs have failed. The two most common procedures currently used are sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. This procedure has gained popularity recently and is generally considered safe and effective. Although current data show that perioperative mortality is low and better control of comorbidities and short-term complications is achieved, more randomized trials are needed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of bariatric procedures. This review aims to synthesize and summarize the growing evidence on the long-term effectiveness, outcomes and complications of bariatric surgery.

[Diagnosis and treatment of obesity disease in older adults]

In Japan, the proportion of older adults with obesity is rising, highlighting the need for specialized medical care for older adults with obesity. The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity (JASSO) defines 'obesity' as excessive fat storage in adipose tissue with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2, and "Obesity Disease" as a condition with health disorders associated with obesity and/or visceral fat accumulation.The term 'high-degree obesity' applies to those with BMI≥ 35 kg/m2, and "Obesity Disease" with high-degree obesity is defined as "high-degree Obesity Disease".While the diagnostic criteria for "Obesity Disease" are same regardless of age group, older adults have unique problems. For example, BMI may not accurately reflect fat mass due to age-related height changes and other factors like edema. There's also an 'obesity paradox' in the older adults, where higher BMI may correlate with reduced mortality, though visceral fat is a risk factor.Weight reduction goal is 3% or more of body weight in 3-6 months for "Obesity Disease" and 5-10% or more for "high-degree Obesity Disease" . Management may include calorie-controlled diets and resistance exercises to prevent bone and muscle loss. Advanced treatment options like bariatric/metabolic surgery are also available for "high-degree Obesity Disease" .Recent guidelines from the Japan Geriatrics Society and JASSO provide insights into managing "Obesity Disease" among older adults, considering specific issues like dementia and functional decline. Future therapy need to evolve and provide individualized approaches to manage obesity for older adults.

An Overview of Disease Burden, Mechanism, Traditional and Non-traditional Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a major global health problem leading to high morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. Diabetes is connected to complex social, environmental, and behavioral factors and requires multisectoral evidence-based strategies to reduce its incidence and prevalence. Here we attempt to connect existing diabetes data with the underlying mechanism of the disease, while touching disease processes and traditional management approaches for diabetes and its complications. The major objective of this manuscript is to examine the effect of nontraditional treatment modalities, e.g. non-pharmaceutical interventions, supplements, alternative and integrative therapies etc., on diabetes. We performed an extensive literature search and review using electronic databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) to examine recent and historical diabetes statistics, the underlying mechanism of the disease, traditional treatments, remission possibility, and finally, the role of alternative therapies and supplements in its management. We found that there is no sufficient evidence to make most of the alternative therapies the first line of management and prevention approach for diabetes. Long-term and large-scale studies are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of alternative medicine. We feel that this review could urge other health researchers to plan comprehensive studies to examine the role of alternative or newly-identified therapies in diabetes. Also, this information can be useful for diverse health professionals and policymakers in developing and implementing evidence-based strategies.