The Australian Obesity Management Algorithm: A simple tool to guide the management of obesity in primary care

Obesity is a complex and multifactorial chronic disease with genetic, environmental, physiological and behavioural determinants that requires long-term care. Obesity is associated with a broad range of complications including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidaemia, metabolic associated fatty liver disease, reproductive hormonal abnormalities, sleep apnoea, depression, osteoarthritis and certain cancers. An algorithm has been developed (with PubMed and Medline searched for all relevant articles from 1 Jan 2000–1 Oct 2021) to (i) assist primary care physicians in treatment decisions for non-pregnant adults with obesity, and (ii) provide a practical clinical tool to guide the implementation of existing guidelines (summarised in Appendix 1) for the treatment of obesity in the Australian primary care setting.Main recommendations and changes in managementTreatment pathways should be determined by a person’s anthropometry (body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC)) and the presence and severity of obesity-related complications. A target of 10–15% weight loss is recommended for people with BMI 30–40 kg/m² or abdominal obesity (WC > 88 cm in females, WC > 102 cm in males) without complications. The treatment focus should be supervised lifestyle interventions that may include a reduced or low energy diet, very low energy diet (VLED) or pharmacotherapy. For people with BMI 30–40 kg/m² or abdominal obesity and complications, or those with BMI > 40 kg/m² a weight loss target of 10–15% body weight is recommended, and management should include intensive interventions such as VLED, pharmacotherapy or bariatric surgery, which may be required in combination. A weight loss target of > 15% is recommended for those with BMI > 40 kg/m² and complications and they should be referred to specialist care. Their treatment should include a VLED with or without pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery.     

Metabolic rate and substrate oxidation of young males with obesity at the different sleep stages

ObjectiveInsufficient and poor-quality sleep among young adults is closely related to obesity and may impact metabolic processes. The mobilization and use of endogenous substrates during sleep, especially fat oxidation, is essential for energy metabolism. This study investigated whether there are differences in sleep structure, metabolic rate, substrate oxidation, and the respiratory quotient (RQ) between young males with normal weight and obesity according to sleep stages and overnight sleep.MethodsFifteen young males with normal weight and fifteen with obesity posited electrodes of polysomnography (PSG) and slept in the metabolic chamber for estimation of sleep structure, sleep metabolic rate (SMR), carbohydrate oxidation (CHOO), fat oxidation (FATO), and RQ. Fat-free mass (FFM) was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis.ResultsThe sleep period time (p = 0.038) and total sleep time (p = 0.032) were significantly shorter in the obesity group than in the normal-weight group. The obesity group also had a longer sleep latency (p = 0.034) and more sleep-turning events (p = 0.018). CHOO/FFM and the RQ were higher in the obesity group while FATO/FFM was significantly higher in the normal-weight group. FATO/FFM was also higher in the normal-weight group in each sleep stage whereas the RQ was higher in the obesity group (p < 0.05).ConclusionsYoung males with obesity showed lower fat oxidation and more dominant carbohydrate-derived fuel oxidation than normal-weight during sleep and experienced shorter sleep periods and total sleep time.     

The association between obesity and pressure ulcer development in critically ill patients: A prospective cohort study

BackgroundPressure ulcers (PUs) are one of the leading potentially preventable adverse events in the hospital. Critically ill patients are at risk for the development of PUs. The primary aim of the study was to investigate the relation of PUs and obesity in critically ill ICU patients.MethodsA single center prospective cohort study was conducted on adult patients with obesity (defined as a body mass index BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) and patients without obesity (BMI 18?25 kg/m²) admitted to the intensive care unit between May 2013 and July 2017 with an ICU length of stay of at least 3 days without pre-existing PUs at admission.Results851 of 1205 patients (70.6%) had a normal BMI and 354 (29.4%) had a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² and were considered obese. Overall, 157 patients (13.0%) developed PUs; 112/851 (13.2%) of patients without obesity and 45/354 (12.7%) of patients with obesity (p = 0.907). There was no difference in the severity (p = 0.609) and PU location (p = 0.261). Mean days to PU development was 11.1; 11.7 days for patients without obesity and 9.5 days for patients with obesity (p = 0.270). Mean days to PU recovery was 13.2, which was 14.1 days for patients without obesity and 10.8 days for patients with obesity (p = 0.215). A multivariate logistic regression model showed no significant correlation between the occurrence of PUs in the ICU and obesity (OR 0.875 with 95% CI 0.528–1.448, p = 0.594). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m²) developed PUs earlier during ICU admission when compared to patients without obesity (p = 0.004).ConclusionOur study demonstrates that obesity is not an independent risk factor for the development of PUs in the ICU. However, patients with morbid obesity might develop PUs earlier compared to patients without obesity.     

Changes in Cardiometabolic Risk Among Older Adults with Obesity: An Ancillary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating Exercise Plus Weight Maintenance and Exercise Plus Intentional Weight Loss by Caloric Restriction

BackgroundObesity imposes risk to cardiometabolic health; however, intentional weight loss among older adults with obesity remains controversial.ObjectiveTo explore the influence of exercise plus weight maintenance and exercise plus intentional weight loss by caloric restriction on changes in cardiometabolic risk among older adults with obesity assessed by four risk-scoring tools.DesignUsing longitudinal data from the Calorie Restriction and Changes in Body Composition, Disease, Function, and Quality of Life in Older Adults study (CROSSROADS) (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00955903; May 2009 to October 2014), scores were calculated using baseline and 12-month data according to criteria from the International Diabetes Federation, National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel, Framingham Risk Score, and Cardiometabolic Disease Staging.Participants and settingParticipants (39% men, 23% African American, aged 70.2 ± 4.7 years) were randomized to exercise (n = 48), exercise plus nutrient-dense weight maintenance diet (n = 44), or exercise plus weight loss by moderate caloric restriction (n = 42).Main outcome measuresTo evaluate effects of exercise plus weight maintenance and exercise plus intentional weight loss on changes in cardiometabolic risk.Statistical analyses performedGeneralized estimating equations were used to assess changes in risk with ethnicity, biological sex, and age as covariates.ResultsGroup-time interaction was only significant for Framingham and Cardiometabolic Disease Staging (P = 0.005 and 0.041, respectively). Upon post hoc analysis, significant within-group improvements in Framingham scores were observed for exercise plus weight maintenance (P < 0.001; r = –1.682) and exercise plus weight loss (P = 0.020; r = –0.881). In analysis of between-group differences in Framingham scores, significant decreases were observed in the exercise plus weight maintenance group (P = 0.001; r = –1.723) compared with the exercise group. For Cardiometabolic Disease Staging, the exercise plus weight loss group had significant within-group improvements (P = 0.023; r = –0.102). For between-group differences in Cardiometabolic Disease Staging, the exercise plus weight loss group showed significant risk reduction (P = 0.012; r = –0.142) compared with the exercise group.ConclusionsAmong risk scores evaluated, Framingham and Cardiometabolic Disease Staging showed significantly greater sensitivity to change in cardiometabolic risk. Older adults with obesity can significantly lower cardiometabolic risk through exercise plus weight maintenance or exercise plus weight loss by moderate caloric restriction.     

小儿单纯性肥胖PAI-1基因4G/5G多态性分析

目的分析小儿单纯性肥胖纤溶酶原激活抑制物-1(PAI-1)基因4G/5G多态性及其与血循环PAI-1水平变化的关系,探讨儿童期肥胖对纤溶系统活性的影响和有无与之相关的遗传倾向.方法用ELISA方法检测105例单纯性肥胖症儿童和81例正常对照儿童血浆PAI-1含量,同时应用聚合酶链反应加限制性片段长度多态(PCR-RFLP)技术检测PAI-1基因4G/5G多态性,并分析不同基因型肥胖儿童血循环PAI-1水平的变化.结果肥胖儿童血浆PAI-1含量显著升高(t=5.084,P＜0.01),PAI-1 4G/4G、4G/5G、5G/5G基因型频率无明显变化(X2=1.708,P＞0.05),4G/4G基因型肥胖儿童血浆PAI-1含量显著高于其他两种基因型者(t分别为2.117和2.612,P均＜0.05).结论肥胖儿童纤溶系统活性降低,与PAI-1基因4G/5G多态性无明显相关,但4G/4G基因型肥胖儿童更易致纤溶活性降低.     

Quantifying the incidence of clinically significant respiratory depression in women with and without obesity class III receiving neuraxial morphine for post-cesarean analgesia: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundObesity is a suspected risk factor for respiratory depression following neuraxial morphine for post-cesarean analgesia, however monitoring guidelines for obese obstetric patients are based on small, limited studies. We tested the hypothesis that clinically significant respiratory depression following neuraxial morphine occurs more commonly in women with body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m² compared with BMI <40 kg/m².MethodsWe conducted a single-center, retrospective chart review (2006–2017) of obstetric patients with clinically significant respiratory depression following neuraxial morphine, defined as: (1) opioid antagonist administration; (2) rapid response team activation (initiated in April 2010); or (3) tracheal intubation due to a respiratory event. The incidence of respiratory depression was compared between women with BMI ≥40 kg/m² and BMI <40 kg/m².ResultsIn total, 11 327 women received neuraxial morphine (n=1945 BMI ≥40 kg/m²; n=9382 BMI <40 kg/m²). Women with BMI ≥40 kg/m² had higher rates of sleep apnea, hypertensive disorders, and magnesium administration. Sixteen cases of clinically significant respiratory depression occurred within seven days postpartum. The incidence did not significantly differ between groups (odds ratio 2.2, 95% CI 0.6 to 6.9, P=0.174). Neuraxial morphine was not deemed causative in any case, however women with BMI ≥40 kg/m² had higher rates of tracheal intubation unrelated to neuraxial morphine (2/1945 vs. 0/9382, P=0.029).ConclusionsRespiratory depression in this population is rare. A larger sample (∼75 000) is required to determine whether the incidence is higher with BMI ≥40 kg/m². Tracheal intubation was higher among the BMI ≥40 kg/m² cohort, likely due to more comorbidities.     

Cirugía bariátrica y trastorno por abuso de alcohol y otras sustancias: una revisión sistemática

IntroductionBariatric surgery is a relatively safe surgical procedure with a high success rate. However, recent reports indicate a higher prevalence of alcohol or substance abuse disorder in this patient group. The purpose of this study was to review the related evidence to serve as a reference for multidisciplinary teams who treat these patients.MethodsWe searched the PubMed and CENTRAL databases. The odds ratios were extracted from the different articles, comparing the prevalence of the abuse of alcohol or other substances in the postoperative period versus preoperative levels. We also compared the prevalence of alcohol use disorder after different types of bariatric surgery.ResultsA total of 49 121 bariatric patients (80.8% female) were evaluated for alcohol use disorder. In general, bariatric surgery was found to be associated with an increase in the prevalence of alcohol abuse (4.58±5.3 vs. 1.58±10.7% in the preoperative period). We also found that the population of patients who underwent RYGB procedures had a higher prevalence of alcohol use disorder than patients who underwent another type of surgery (OR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.51-2.21). The prevalence of substance abuse disorder (other than alcohol) after this procedure is less studied, although there appears to be an increased risk of abuse of certain substances.ConclusionsBariatric surgery is the best treatment for obesity and its complications. The evidence reviewed suggests that it correlates with a modest but consistent increase in the prevalence of abuse of alcohol and other substances. Medical teams who treat bariatric patients must be informed about this eventuality for its timely prevention, diagnosis and treatment.     

来曲唑联合复方玄驹胶囊治疗肥胖性少弱精子症的临床疗效观察

目的观察来曲唑、枸橼酸氯米芬分别联合复方玄驹胶囊及维生素E治疗肥胖性少弱精子症的临床疗效。方法选取2018年8月至2020年8月在洛阳市妇幼保健院生殖医学研究所就诊的188例肾阳不足型肥胖性少弱精子症患者,随机分为来曲唑联合组(A组)和枸橼酸氯米芬联合组(B组)各94例,疗程为3个月,以精子浓度、精子前向运动百分率和生殖激素(FSH、LH、E 2、T)水平为观察指标进行治疗前、后疗效评估。结果精液质量上,治疗前,两组患者的精子浓度和前向运动百分率均无显著性差异;治疗3个月后,两组患者均有显著提升,且A组患者的精子浓度[(26.32±2.59)×10⁶/ml vs.(21.48±3.37)×10⁶/ml]显著高于B组,即A组精子浓度增加更加显著(P<0.05)。生殖激素水平的比较:与治疗前相比,治疗后A组患者的LH[(5.31±2.24)U/L vs.(3.84±1.47)U/L]及T[(1.73±0.06)nmol/L vs.(1.12±0.05)nmol/L]水平显著升高(P<0.05),E 2水平[(152.16±55.89)pmol/L vs.(206.69±60.44)pmol/L]显著下降(P<0.05),T/E 2比值显著升高(P<0.05);B组中仅有T水平[(1.53±0.07)nmol/L vs.(1.17±0.06)nmol/L]显著改善,且A组E 2水平与T/E 2比值显著高于B组(P<0.05)。结论对于肾阳不足型肥胖性少、弱精子症,尤其是高E 2而T/E 2值相对较低的患者,以来曲唑为主效药物的联合用药在提高精子数量、改善精子活力方面具有显著效果,值得临床推广。