Dietary changes in obese patients undergoing gastric bypass or lifestyle intervention: a clinical trial.

We compared changes in the dietary patterns of morbidly obese patients undergoing either laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery or a comprehensive lifestyle intervention programme. The present 1-year non-randomised controlled trial included fifty-four patients in the lifestyle group and seventy-two in the surgery group. Dietary intake was assessed by a validated FFQ. ANCOVA was used to adjust for between-group differences in sex, age, baseline BMI and baseline values of the dependent variables. Intakes of food groups and nutrients did not differ significantly between the intervention groups at baseline. At 1-year follow-up, the lifestyle group had a significantly higher daily intake of fruits and vegetables (561 (sd 198) v. 441 (sd 213) g, P= 0·002), whole grains (63 (sd 24) v. 49 (sd 16) g, P< 0·001) and fibre (28 (sd 6) v. 22 (sd 6) g, P< 0·001) than the surgery group and a lower percentage of total energy intake of saturated fat (12 (sd 3) v. 14 (sd 3) %, P< 0·001). The intake of red meat declined significantly within both groups, vegetables and fish intake were reduced significantly in the surgery group and added sugar was reduced significantly in the lifestyle group. The lifestyle patients improved their dietary patterns significantly (compared with the surgery group), increasing their intake of vegetables, whole grains and fibre and reducing their percentage intake of saturated fat (ANCOVA, all P< 0·001). In conclusion, lifestyle intervention was associated with more favourable dietary 1-year changes than gastric bypass surgery in morbidly obese patients, as measured by intake of vegetables, whole grains, fibre and saturated fat.

Differences in insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism and inflammation between young adult Pakistani and Norwegian patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Immigrants from South Asia to Western countries have a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We explored pathogenic factors that might contribute to the high risk of T2DM in Pakistani immigrants to Norway. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 18 Pakistani and 21 Norwegian men and women with T2DM (age 29 - 45 years), recruited from two hospital out-patient clinics. Anthropometrics and a two-step euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic clamp with measurements of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) during clamp, was performed in all patients. Insulin sensitivity, given as the Glucose Infusion Rate (GIR) and Insulin Sensitivity Index (ISI), was calculated from the two euglycemic clamp steps. Fasting adipokines and inflammatory mediators were measured. Continuous variables between groups were compared using Student's t test or Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate. Spearman's correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analyses were used. RESULTS: Despite having a lower BMI, Pakistani patients were more insulin resistant than Norwegian patients, during both low and high insulin infusion rates, after adjustment for sex and % body fat: median (interquartile range) GIR(low insulin): 339.8(468.0) vs 468.4(587.3) µmol/m2/min (p = 0.060), ISI(low insulin): 57.1(74.1) vs 79.7(137.9) µmol/m2/min (p = 0.012), GIR(high insulin): 1661.1(672.3) vs 2055.6(907.0) µmol/m2/min (p = 0.042), ISI(high insulin): 14.2(7.3) vs 20.7(17.2) µmol/m2/min (p = 0.014). Pakistani patients had lower percentage NEFA suppression 30 minutes into clamp hyperinsulinemia than Norwegians: 41.9(90.6)% vs 71.2(42.1)%, (p = 0.042). The relationship of ISI to BMI, leptin and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist also differed between Norwegians and Pakistanis. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with Norwegian patients, Pakistani patients with T2DM had lower insulin sensitivity, affecting both glucose and lipid metabolism. The relation of insulin sensitivity to BMI and some adipokines also differed between the groups.

Poor title--poor manuscript?

BACKGROUND: The title of a scientific article is important for several reasons. Does the title of a manuscript submitted for publication in a medical journal reflect the quality of the manuscript itself? MATERIAL AND METHOD: We prepared criteria for poor, fair and good titles and tested them in pilot studies. All manuscripts submitted to the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association during the period 1 September 2009-31 August 2011 as original articles (n = 211) or review articles (n = 110) were recorded. The quality of the titles was scored by two former editors. Primary outcome measures were rejection rates and odds ratio for rejection of manuscripts with a poor title compared to those with a good title. RESULTS: For original articles, the rejection rate for manuscripts with a poor, fair or good title amounted to 88%, 73% and 61% (p = 0.002) respectively, and for review articles 83%, 56% and 38% (p < 0.001). The odds ratio for rejection of manuscripts with a poor title compared to those with a good title was 4.6 (95% CI: 1.7-12.3) for original articles and 8.2 (95% CI: 2.6-26.4) for review articles. In a logistic regression model, the quality of the title explained 14% and 27% of the variance in outcome for original articles and review articles respectively. INTERPRETATION: In this study, a poor manuscript title was significantly associated with manuscript rejection. This indicates that the quality of the title often reflects the quality of the manuscript itself.

Weight loss, cardiovascular risk factors, and quality of life after gastric bypass and duodenal switch: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Gastric bypass and duodenal switch are currently performed bariatric surgical procedures. Uncontrolled studies suggest that duodenal switch induces greater weight loss than gastric bypass. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether duodenal switch leads to greater weight loss and more favorable improvements in cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life than gastric bypass. DESIGN: Randomized, parallel-group trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00327912) SETTING: 2 academic medical centers (1 in Norway and 1 in Sweden). PATIENTS: 60 participants with a body mass index (BMI) between 50 and 60 kg/m(2). INTERVENTION: Gastric bypass (n = 31) or duodenal switch (n = 29). MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was the change in BMI after 2 years. Secondary outcomes included anthropometric measures; concentrations of blood lipids, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein, and vitamins; and health-related quality of life and adverse events. RESULTS: Fifty-eight of 60 participants (97%) completed the study. The mean reductions in BMI were 17.3 kg/m(2) (95% CI, 15.7 to 19.0 kg/m(2)) after gastric bypass and 24.8 kg/m(2) (CI, 23.0 to 26.5 kg/m(2)) after duodenal switch (mean between-group difference, 7.44 kg/m(2) [CI, 5.24 to 9.64 kg/m(2)]; P < 0.001). Total cholesterol concentration decreased by 0.24 mmol/L (CI, -0.03 to 0.50 mmol/L) (9.27 mg/dL [CI, -1.16 to 19.3 mg/dL]) after gastric bypass and 1.07 mmol/L (CI, 0.79 to 1.35 mmol/L) (41.3 mg/dL [CI, 30.5 to 52.1 mg/dL]) after duodenal switch (mean between-group difference, 0.83 mmol/L [CI, 0.48 to 1.18 mmol/L]; 32.0 mg/dL [CI, 18.5 to 45.6 mg/dL]; P ≤ 0.001). Reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, anthropometric measures, fat mass, and fat-free mass were also greater after duodenal switch (P ≤ 0.010 for each between-group comparison). Both groups had reductions in blood pressure and mean concentrations of glucose, insulin, and C-reactive protein, with no between-group differences. The duodenal switch group, but not the gastric bypass group, had reductions in concentrations of vitamin A and 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Most Short Form-36 Health Survey dimensional scores improved in both groups, with greater improvement in 1 of 8 domains (bodily pain) after gastric bypass. From surgery until 2 years, 10 participants (32%) had adverse events after gastric bypass and 18 (62%) after duodenal switch (P = 0.021). Adverse events related to malnutrition occurred only after duodenal switch. LIMITATION: Clinical experience was greater with gastric bypass than with duodenal switch at the study centers. CONCLUSION: Duodenal switch surgery was associated with greater weight loss, greater reductions of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, and more adverse events. Improvements in other cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life were similar after both procedures. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority.

Twelve years of "Case reports" in the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association.

BACKGROUND: "Case reports" is the title of a column in the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association devoted to educational patient histories accompanied by an expert commentary. The aim of this study is to describe the patients and authors in this column since its introduction in 1999. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study is based on electronic literature searches in the Journal's internet archive (2000-2011) supplemented by manual searches in the printed edition (1999). The medical specialities of the authors were defined on the basis of their workplace affiliations. RESULTS: Literature searches identified 157 case reports and 157 accompanying commentaries that had been published in "Case reports". Of the 157 patients, 73 (46.0 %) were men and 84 (54.0 %) women aged 0-90. The most frequently represented age group was 51-60 years. First authors were most often affiliated with departments of internal medicine with associated subspecialties (34.0 %), neurology (13.0 %), general surgery with subspecialties (11.0 %) and paediatrics (10.0 %). Paraclinical specialties, most frequently pathology and radiology, were mainly represented by co-authorships. Only 7 (1.0 %) of a total of 676 authors were associated with psychiatry and 5 (0.7 %) with general practice. INTERPRETATION: The column "Case reports" has been illustrated through a period of 12 years by a wide range of patients, but the medical specialties are unevenly represented. It would be desirable to have more articles from specialties such as psychiatry and general practice.

Effect of bariatric surgery on sulphur amino acids and glutamate.

Plasma total cysteine (tCys) concentrations are associated with BMI. To study the relationship between tCys and BMI, we monitored the changes in serum concentrations of tCys and metabolically related compounds in sixty obese patients (BMI 50-60 kg/m(2)) from before to 1 year after either gastric bypass surgery (mean 30 % weight loss) or duodenal switch surgery (mean 41 % weight loss). A total of fifty-eight healthy persons (BMI 17-31 kg/m(2)) served as controls. Before surgery, obese patients had modestly (approximately 17 %) higher mean serum tCys, and markedly (>2-fold) higher glutamate concentrations, than controls (P ≤ 0·001 for both). Serial examinations after surgery revealed that gastric bypass patients had no change in tCys concentrations (P = 0·22), while duodenal switch patients showed a modest (approximately 12 %) but significant decrease in tCys (P < 0·001). Total homocysteine concentrations increased in duodenal switch patients but not in gastric bypass patients. Independent of surgery type, serum concentrations of methionine and cystathionine decreased (P < 0·05 for both), while serum glutathione and taurine remained stable. Glutamate concentrations declined, as did γ-glutamyltransferase activity (P < 0·001 for both). These results show that despite 30 % weight loss, and decreases in methionine, cystathionine and glutamate, there was no significant change in serum tCys in patients after gastric bypass surgery. The decrease in tCys in patients undergoing duodenal switch could be related to malabsorption. The present findings do not suggest that BMI is a causal determinant of plasma tCys.

[Treating morbid obesity with laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch]. / Laparoskopisk biliopankreatisk avledning med duodenal omkobling ved sykelig fedme.

BACKGROUND: Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch is used in the treatment of morbid obesity. Few centres perform the procedure laparoscopically. We aimed to evaluate the perioperative outcomes and weight loss after laparoscopic duodenal switch. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients operated with biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch at the Centre for Morbid Obesity at Oslo University Hospital (2004-2009) were included. The perioperative period was defined as within 30 days of surgery. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients were operated, all laparoscopically. Median preoperative BMI was 54 kg/m2 (range 41-88), and 33 patients (69 %) were women. Ten patients (21 %) were operated in two steps: first gastric sleeve and later duodenal switch. Median operation time was 200 minutes (100-658). Twelve patients (25 %) had complications, four (8 %) were reoperated, and one died. Median postoperative hospital stay was three (1-56) days. After two years, median BMI was 32 kg/m2 (24-45), median weight loss 39 % (22-60) and median excess BMI (> 25 kg/m2) loss 73 % (43-106). INTERPRETATION: Duodenal switch was applied in a minority of patients operated for morbid obesity. The procedure can be performed laparoscopically with a short hospital stay and leads to a substantial weight loss. Perioperative morbidity was high and was comparable to the results from other series.

[Follow-up after bariatric surgery]. / Oppfølging etter fedmekirurgi.

BACKGROUND: The number of bariatric surgical procedures in Norway is increasing. Patients who undergo bariatric surgery may experience surgical, medical and nutritional complications. Follow-up of these patients is therefore important. METHODS: The article is based on non-systematic literature searches in PubMed and on the clinical experience of the authors. RESULTS: Bariatric surgery induces significant and sustained weight loss and improves obesity-related disorders. Gastric bypass is the most commonly performed bariatric procedure in Norway. This procedure is associated with a 30-day mortality of below 0.5 %, while severe complications occur in approximately 5 % of patients. Late complications include internal herniation, intestinal ulcers and gallbladder disease. After surgery all patients are given iron, vitamin D/calcium and vitamin B12 supplements to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Gastrointestinal symptoms and postprandial hypoglycaemia after surgery can be improved by dietary modifications, and the need for anti-diabetic and blood pressure lowering medications is reduced. Dose adjustment of other medications may also be necessary. Pregnancy is not recommended during the first year after bariatric surgery. Many patients need plastic surgery after the operation. INTERPRETATION: Complications after bariatric surgery may manifest in the long term. Regular follow-up is required. General practitioners should be responsible for follow-up in the long term, and should be familiar with common and serious complications as well as normal symptomatology after bariatric surgery.

[Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome before and after gastric bypass]. / Type 2-diabetes og metabolsk syndrom før og etter gastrisk bypass.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. We have assessed the prevalence of these conditions before and after gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients included had undergone laparoscopic gastric bypass at Oslo University Hospital Aker in the period 01.01.2007 - 31.12.2007 and had follow-up data for more than six months. Type 2 diabetes was defined as one or more of the following: an established diagnosis of diabetes before surgery, fasting plasma glucose >or= 7.0 mmol/l or HbA1c >or= 6.5 %. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to criteria laid out by the National Cholesterol Education Program. RESULTS: 136 patients (79 % women) with a mean (+/- SD) age of 43 +/- 9 years were included. Mean follow-up time was 17 months (range 8 - 26). The patients' body mass index (kg/m2) was reduced from 47 +/- 6 before to 32 +/- 6 after surgery (p<0.001). 34 % of patients had type 2 diabetes before and 10 % after surgery (p < 0.001). 80 % of patients had metabolic syndrome before and 24 % after surgery (p < 0.001). Fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, and all variables included in the definition of metabolic syndrome were statistically significantly improved after surgery. INTERPRETATION: Gastric bypass has favourable effects on type 2 diabetes. Blood glucose normalised in most patients after the operation. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly lower after surgery.

Parathyroid hormone, but not vitamin D, is associated with the metabolic syndrome in morbidly obese women and men: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism is high among morbidly obese subjects. Further, low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 [OH]D) and magnesium have been associated with increased risk of the metabolic syndrome (MS), and recently, a possible link between PTH and MS has been reported. Although it is well known that the synthesis and secretion of PTH is regulated by serum levels of calcium, phosphate, magnesium and 25(OH)D, less is known about the possible clustered affiliation of these parameters with MS. We aimed to explore whether MS is associated with abnormal serum levels of PTH, 25(OH)D and magnesium in a population of morbidly obese patients. METHODS: Fasting serum levels of 25(OH)D, PTH and magnesium were assessed in a cross-sectional cohort study of 1,017 consecutive morbidly obese patients (68% women). Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess the independent effect of PTH, 25(OH)D and magnesium on the odds for MS (National Cholesterol Education Program [NCEP]) after adjustment for confounding factors. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of the patients had MS. Patients with MS had lower mean serum magnesium (P < 0.001) and higher mean PTH (P = 0.067) than patients without MS, whereas mean 25(OH)D did not differ significantly. Patients with PTH levels in the second to fourth quartiles had higher odds of prevalent MS (odds ratio 1.47 [95% CI 0.92-2.35], 2.33 [95% CI 1.40-3.87] and 2.09 [95% CI 1.23-3.56], respectively), after adjustment for 25(OH)D, magnesium, calcium, phosphate, creatinine, age, gender, season of serum sampling, BMI, current smoking, albuminuria, CRP, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Further, PTH was significantly correlated with systolic and diastolic pressure (both P < 0.001), but not with the other components of MS. The levels of 25(OH)D and magnesium were not associated with MS in the multivariate model. CONCLUSION: The PTH level, but not the vitamin D level, is an independent predictor of MS in treatment seeking morbidly obese Caucasian women and men. Randomized controlled clinical trials, including different therapeutic strategies to lower PTH, e.g. calcium/vitamin D supplementation and weight reduction, are necessary to explore any cause-and-effect relationship.

Establishing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: perioperative outcome and characteristics of the learning curve.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery was established at several Norwegian hospitals in 2004. This study evaluates the perioperative outcome and the learning curves for two surgeons while introducing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). METHODS: Morbidly obese patients undergoing primary LRYGB were included. Lengths of surgery and postoperative hospital stay, and 30-day rates of morbidity, reoperations, and readmissions were set as indicators of the learning curve. Learning effects were evaluated by graphical analyses and comparing the first and last 40 procedures for both surgeons. RESULTS: The 292 included patients had a mean age of 40.0 +/- 9.5 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 46.7 +/- 5.3 kg/m(2). The mean length of surgery was 101 +/- 55 min. Complications occurred in 43 patients (14.7%), with no conversions to open surgery in the primary procedure and no mortality. Reoperations were performed in 14 patients (4.8%), of which five patients required open surgery. The median length of stay was 3 days (range 1-77), and 19 patients (6.5%) were readmitted. High patient age, but not high BMI, was associated with an increased risk of complication. For both surgeons, lengths of surgery and hospital stay were significantly reduced (p < 0.001), leveling out after 100 procedures. Reductions in the rates of morbidity, reoperations and readmissions were not found. CONCLUSION: LRYGB was introduced with an acceptable morbidity rate and no mortality. Only the length of surgery and postoperative hospital stay were suitable indicators of a learning curve, which comprised about 100 cases.

Vitamin status in morbidly obese patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity is associated with low circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Few data on the concentrations of other vitamins in morbidly obese patients are available. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare serum and blood vitamin concentrations in morbidly obese patients with those in healthy subjects. DESIGN: In 2 public hospital departments (southeast Norway), we prospectively examined 110 consecutive patients (76 women) and 58 healthy controls (30 women) not taking multivitamin supplements. Patients and controls did not differ significantly in age or ethnicity. The mean (+/-SD) body mass index (in kg/m(2)) was 45 +/- 7 in the patients and was 24 +/- 3 in the controls. Patients with vitamin concentrations lower than 2 SD below the sex-specific mean in controls were considered to have inadequate vitamin status. RESULTS: The morbidly obese women and men had significantly lower concentrations of vitamin B-6, vitamin C, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and lipid-standardized vitamin E than did the healthy controls (P < 0.01 for each). The status of these vitamins was inadequate in a substantial proportion of the patients (11-38%). The status of vitamins A, B-1, B-2, and B-12 and of folic acid was adequate in most of the patients (95-100%). A moderately elevated C-reactive protein concentration was associated with lower vitamin A, B-6, and C concentrations. In a multiple regression analysis, concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (inverse relation) and vitamin C were the strongest determinants of serum vitamin B-6 concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Low concentrations of vitamin B-6, vitamin C, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and vitamin E adjusted for lipids are prevalent in morbidly obese Norwegian patients seeking weight-loss treatment.

Peripheral neuropathy and severe malnutrition following duodenal switch.

Severe thiamine (vitamin B-1) deficiency is a medical emergency that has long been recognized as a potential complication of bariatric surgery. The incidence of this rare complication is largely unknown. We describe a super-obese male patient with extreme lower limb weakness 3 months following a duodenal switch operation, occurring in association with persisting vomiting. Excessive malabsorption led to severe malnutrition, with lower limb edemas and clinical evidence of ascites and pleural effusion. Blood tests revealed low levels of albumin, hemoglobin, potassium, vitamins A, B-1, and B-6, and elevated prothrombin time. The symptoms of neuropathy improved after extensive nutritional therapy. Weight eventually stabilized following elongation of the common channel. This case report demonstrates the importance of awareness of neurological complications following bariatric surgery. These complications require urgent and vigorous therapy when they occur.

[Surgical treatment of morbid obesity]. / Kirurgisk behandling av sykelig fedme.

BACKGROUND: Patients with morbid obesity are prone to weight-related disease, reduced quality of life and shortened life expectancy. Long-term weight loss is unsatisfactory with conservative treatment and weight-reducing surgery is increasingly performed in all Norwegian health regions. METHODS: This review is based on electronic database searches. We describe the two procedures most commonly performed in Norway, i.e. gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, including preoperative workup and expected results after surgery. The domestic use of different surgical techniques is also outlined. RESULTS: In Norway, around 750 bariatric procedures were planned in 2006. Gastric bypass yields a weight reduction of 30% two years after the operative. Resolution of type 2-diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea has been demonstrated in most patients. A majority of patients report improved quality of life. Procedure-related mortality is less than 1% and surgical complications occur in approximately 20%. Nutritional deficiencies are frequent. Weight loss is somewhat greater after biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, but the procedure is more complex. Life-long follow-up is recommended after bariatric surgery. INTERPRETATION: In selected patients with morbid obesity, bariatric surgery is a viable treatment. However, prospective long- term studies are needed.

[Surgical treatment of morbid obesity at a regional center]. / Laparoskopisk kirurgi ved sykelig fedme ved et regionalt senter.

BACKGROUND: Aker University Hospital has since 2004 offered laparoscopic surgery for morbid obesity. This study describes the characteristics of the patients undergoing surgery, the preoperative evaluation and the perioperative outcome after the first 139 laparoscopic procedures for morbid obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients operated between June 2004 and March 2006 are included in the study. The registration of data was first retrospective, and from 2006 prospective using specially designated registration forms. RESULTS: Surgery was performed on 105 women (76%) and 33 men. The median age was 39 years (range 22-60), and the median preoperative body mass index was 47 kg/m2 (37-71). Frequent comorbidities included joint pain (44%), hypertension (31%), asthma (30%) and diabetes mellitus (27%). The patients underwent gastric bypass (86%), duodenal switch (10%) or gastric sleeve (4%). Two procedures (1%) were converted to open surgery. Perioperative morbidity (within 30 days) was 19%. The most frequent major complications were leakage from the stomach or bowel in seven patients (5%), intra-abdominal bleeding in four patients (3%) and deep infection (3%). Reoperation was performed on 13 patients (9%). One patient died following surgery (1%). INTERPRETATION: . Laparoscopic bariatric surgery has now been established at Aker University Hospital. The complication rates seem acceptable, considering the patients'comorbid conditions and the introduction of advanced laparoscopic procedures.