Pediatric obesity and skin disease: cutaneous findings and associated quality-of-life impairments in 103 children and adolescents with obesity

Objective

Little is known about specific cutaneous findings in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. This study assessed the association of skin signs with pivotal auxological and endocrinological parameters and their influence on the quality of life (QoL) of young people with obesity.

Study design

All patients initially recruited for a tertiary hospital's weight control program were offered participation in this interdisciplinary, single-center, cross-sectional study. All participants underwent a detailed dermatological examination, anthropometric measurements and laboratory examinations. QoL was assessed with validated questionnaires.

Results

A total of 103 children and adolescents (age 11.6 ±2.5 years, 41% female, 25% prepubertal, BMI SDS 2.6 ± 0.5, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) score 3.3 ± 4.2; mean ± s.d.) were recruited in a 12-month study period. Skin affections were linearly associated with increasing BMI and higher age. The most common skin findings were (%) striae distensae (71.0), keratosis pilaris (64.7), acanthosis nigricans (45.0), acne vulgaris (39.2), acrochordons (25.5) and plantar hyperkeratosis (17.6). The HOMA score was associated with acanthosis nigricans (P = 0.047), keratosis pilaris (P = 0.019) and acne vulgaris (P < 0.001). The general mean QoL(QoL) score, as assessed by the WHO-5, was 70 out of 100. A total of 38.9% of participants reported impaired dermatological QoL.

Conclusions

This study shows the high prevalence of skin lesions in children and adolescents with obesity. The association between skin lesions and the HOMA score indicates that skin manifestations are a marker of insulin resistance. To prevent secondary diseases and improve QoL, thorough skin examinations and interdisciplinary cooperation are necessary.

Prevalence of LDL-hypercholesterolemia and other cardiovascular risk factors in young people with type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Mortality and morbidity in people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is mainly caused by cardiovascular disease (CVD). Early treatment of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) is of great importance.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the prevalence of LDL-hypercholesterolemia and other CVRFs in youth with T1D.

METHODS

Clinical and laboratory parameters, and vascular thickness measurement were obtained in youth with T1D (age 6-18 years, T1D duration >1 year) attending a diabetes clinic. LDL-hypercholesterolemia, microalbuminuria and arterial hypertension were defined as CVRFs.

RESULTS

A total of 333 youth (48% girls; age: 13.3 years [10.3-15.5], median [interquartile range]) participated in the study. The T1D duration was 5.9 years [3.5-9.4] with HbA1c of 7.4% [6.8-8.0]. Intima media thickness (N=223) was 538.0 µm [470.0-618.0]). LDL-hypercholesterolemia was present in 30 participants (9%; 18 girls; age: 14.3 years [11.2-15.7]). None of the participants had persistent microalbuminuria, although 59 (18.3%) had elevated albumin excretion in a random urine specimen. LDL-hypercholesterolemia was associated with increased blood pressure (p<0.05), insulin requirement (p<0.05), HbA1c (p<0.05), triglyceride (p<0.001) and total cholesterol (p<0.001), and a family history of premature CVD (p<0.001), but negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol levels (p<0.05). Sex, pubertal status, duration of diabetes, type of therapy, and physical activity did not differ between participants with and without LDL- hypercholesterolemia. Arterial hypertension was present in 11 participants (3.3%; 4 girls; age: 14.1 years [11.1-16.1]).

CONCLUSION

LDL-hypercholesterolemia affected 9% of youth with T1D in this cohort and was associated with other CVRFs. A holistic therapeutic concept for these young people is essential.

Alterations in Dietary Behavior, Appetite Regulation, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Youth with Obesity in Germany during the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nutritional patterns, eating behavior, dietary content, and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of adolescents with preexisting obesity.

METHODS

Anthropometric and metabolic parameters were measured, and validated questionnaires on eating habits, nutritional content, and HrQoL were administered to 264 adolescents with obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020-June 2022) and 265 adolescents with obesity before the pandemic (from June 2017 to June 2019).

RESULTS

Both study cohorts were comparable in age and sex distribution. Significant differences were found between the COVID-19 and pre-COVID-19 cohorts in HOMA-index (3.8 (interquartile range [IQR])): 3.3; 4.1) vs. 3.2 (IQR: 2.8; 3.5, p < 0.001), total cholesterol (208.8 mg/dL (IQR: 189.9; 214.5) vs. 198.5 mg/dL (IQR: 189.5; 207.4), p < 0.001), and GPT (93.4 (IQR 88.7; 96.5) vs. 72.8 U/L (IQR 68.9; 75.7), p < 0.001). The COVID-19 cohort reported significantly higher consumption of obesity-promoting food components, such as soft drinks, meat, sausages, fast food and delivery food, chocolate, and sweets. There was also a significant decrease in cognitive hunger control (p = 0.002) and an increase in distractibility potential (p = 0.001) while eating. HrQoL was significantly lower in the COVID-19 cohort (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals the adverse associations of exposure to the public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic with nutrition, dietary content, and HrQoL in adolescents with preexisting obesity. These findings underscore the importance of tailored preventive and treatment strategies for addressing the specific challenges of disruptive events such as pandemics, especially in population-based context.

Empfehlungen zur Diabetes-Behandlung mit automatischen Insulin-Dosierungssystemen

Das Prinzip der automatischen Insulindosierung, kurz „AID“ genannt, zeigt in Zulassungsstudien und Real-World-Erfahrungen ausgezeichnete Behandlungsergebnisse. Beim AID wird eine Insulinpumpe mit einem System zur kontinuierlichen Glukosemessung zusammengeschaltet, während ein Rechenprogramm, der sogenannte Algorithmus, die Steuerung der Insulingabe nach Bedarf übernimmt. Idealerweise wäre das System ein geschlossener Kreis, bei dem die Menschen mit Diabetes keine Eingabe mehr machen müssten. Jedoch sind bei den heute verfügbaren Systemen verschiedene Grundeinstellungen und Eingaben erforderlich (insbesondere von Kohlenhydratmengen der Mahlzeiten oder körperlicher Aktivität), die sich von den bisherigen Empfehlungen der sensorunterstützten Pumpentherapie in einzelnen Aspekten unterscheiden. So werden die traditionellen Konzepte von „Basal“ und „Bolus“ mit AID weniger nützlich, da der Algorithmus beide Arten der Insulinabgabe verwendet, um die Glukosewerte dem eingestellten Zielwert zu nähern. Daher sollte bei diesen Systemen statt der Erfassung von „Basal“ und „Bolus“, zwischen einer „nutzerinitiierten“ und einer „automatischen“ Insulindosis unterschieden werden. Gemeinsame Therapieprinzipien der verschiedenen AID-Systeme umfassen die passgenaue Einstellung des Kohlenhydratverhältnisses, die Bedeutung des Timings der vom Anwender initiierten Insulinbolusgaben vor der Mahlzeit, den korrekten Umgang mit einem verzögerten oder versäumten Mahlzeitenbolus, neue Prinzipien im Umgang mit Sport oder Alkoholgenuss sowie den rechtzeitigen Umstieg von AID zu manuellem Modus bei Auftreten erhöhter Ketonwerte. Das Team vom Diabetes-Zentrum AUF DER BULT in Hannover hat aus eigenen Studienerfahrungen und der zugrunde liegenden internationalen Literatur praktische Empfehlungen zur Anwendung und Schulung der gegenwärtig und demnächst in Deutschland kommerziell erhältlichen Systeme zusammengestellt. Für den Erfolg der AID-Behandlung scheint das richtige Erwartungsmanagement sowohl beim Behandlungsteam und als auch beim Anwender von großer Bedeutung zu sein.

Determinants of glycaemic outcome in the current practice of care for young people up to 21 years old with type 1 diabetes under real-life conditions

AIM

To determine factors influencing the success of treatment for type 1 diabetes, defined as HbA_1c < 58 mmol/mol (<7.5%), in a large paediatric cohort under real-life conditions.

METHODS

This is a monocentric observational study analysing the determinants of glycaemic outcome (sex, age, comorbidities, sociodemographic factors, diabetes technology) in an entire cohort of people with diabetes aged up to 21 years. Glycaemic outcome was defined as an individual's median HbA_1c and the prevalence of acute complications over this period.

RESULTS

Of 700 young people with type 1 diabetes [age 13.6 years (range: 1.4-20.9 years); diabetes duration 5.8 years (range: 0.1-18.3 years)], 63% were using an insulin pump and 32% any type of continuous glucose monitoring. Mean HbA_1c was 61 mmol/mol [95% confidence interval (CI) 60-62; 7.7%, 95% CI 7.5-7.8]. Some 63% of children aged < 12 years reached HbA_1c (58 mmol/mol (<7.5%) compared with 43% of older participants. The prevalence of severe hypoglycaemia was 2.41 events and that of diabetic ketoacidosis 1.4 events per 100 person-years. Neither type of insulin therapy nor use of continuous glucose monitoring, sex or comorbidity with coeliac disease or thyroiditis was significantly associated with glycaemic outcome. However, age, diabetes duration, having a father not born in Germany, psychiatric comorbidities and family structure were associated with HbA_1c .

CONCLUSIONS

Current technologies and a multidisciplinary team approach allow high numbers of children and adolescents to realize tight glycaemic control with a low prevalence of acute complications. However, age-related challenges, sociodemographic factors and psychological comorbidities are barriers to achieving best possible glycaemic outcome.

Liraglutide in an Adolescent Population with Obesity: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled 5-Week Trial to Assess Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Liraglutide in Adolescents Aged 12-17 Years

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of liraglutide in adolescents with obesity.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Twenty-one subjects, aged 12-17 years and Tanner stage 2-5, with obesity (body mass index [BMI] corresponding to both a BMI ≥95th percentile for age and sex and to a BMI of ≥30 kg/m² for adults; additionally, BMI was ≤45 kg/m²) were randomized (2:1) to receive 5 weeks of treatment with liraglutide (0.6 mg with weekly dose increase to a maximum of 3.0 mg for the last week) (n = 14) or placebo (n = 7). The primary endpoint was number of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Secondary endpoints included safety measures, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic endpoints.

RESULTS

All participants receiving liraglutide, and 4 receiving placebo (57.1%), had at least 1 TEAE. The most common TEAEs were gastrointestinal disorders. No severe TEAEs, TEAE-related withdrawals, or deaths occurred. Twelve hypoglycemic episodes occurred in 8 participants receiving liraglutide and 2 in 1 participant receiving placebo. No severe hypoglycemic episodes were reported. Liraglutide exposure in terms of trough concentration increased with dose, although dose proportionality was confounded by unexpectedly low trough concentration values at the 2.4 mg dose. Exposure in terms of model-derived area under the plasma concentration time curve from 0 to 24 hours after dose in steady state was similar to that in adults with obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Liraglutide had a similar safety and tolerability profile compared with adults when administered to adolescents with obesity, with no unexpected safety/tolerability issues. Results suggest that the dosing regimen approved for weight management in adults may be appropriate for use in adolescents.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01789086.