Patient perceptions about obesity management in the context of concomitant care for other chronic diseases.

Background: Approximately 15% of Canadian adults live with two or more chronic diseases, many of which are obesity related. The degree to which Canadian obesity treatment guidelines are integrated into chronic disease management is unknown. Methods: We conducted a 12-min online survey among a non-probability sample of 2506 adult Canadians who met at least one of the following criteria: 1) BMI ≥30 kg/m2; 2) medical diagnosis of obesity; 3) undergone medically supervised treatment for obesity; or 4) a belief that excess/abnormal adipose tissue impairs their health. Participants must have been diagnosed with at least one of 12 prevalent obesity-related chronic diseases. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics. Results: One in four (26.4%) reported a diagnosis of obesity, but only 9.2% said they had received medically supervised obesity treatment. The majority (55%) agreed obesity makes managing their other chronic diseases challenging; 39% agreed their chronic disease(s) have progressed or gotten worse because of their obesity. While over half (54%) reported being aware that obesity is classified as a chronic disease, 78% responded obesity was their responsibility to manage on their own. Only 33% of respondents responded they have had success with obesity treatment. Interpretation: While awareness of obesity as a chronic disease is increasing, obesity care within the context of a wider chronic disease management model is suboptimal. More work remains to be done to make Canadian obesity guidelines standard for obesity care.

Practical Considerations and Rationale for Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Plus Sodium-Dependent Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor Combination Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors have demonstrated clinically significant benefits on glycated hemoglobin, weight, blood pressure and cardiorenal outcomes. The emerging evidence from clinical trials and meta-analyses that assessed the combination of these 2 classes of drugs has been promising. An expert forum that included individuals with expertise in endocrine, cardiology and nephrology issues was held in May 2020 to review the literature on the metabolic and cardiorenal benefits of these 2 classes, independently and in combination, in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although hard outcome data are not available, the group concluded that the combination of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists with sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors is an emerging option for managing adults with type 2 diabetes as long as cost is not a barrier. Ongoing research may offer further insights on hard cardiorenal outcomes for this therapeutic combination as well as provide direction on the potential of this approach in obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and populations without diabetes.

Licorice-induced hypertension: a case of pseudohyperaldosteronism due to jelly bean ingestion.

Hypertension is one of the most common problems encountered in the primary care setting. Numerous secondary causes of hypertension exist and are potentially reversible. The ability to screen for such causes and manage them effectively may spare patients from prolonged medical therapy and hypertensive complications. Licorice can cause hypertension and hypokalemia due its effects on cortisol metabolism. We report a case of jelly bean ingestion that highlights the presentation, pathophysiology and management of licorice-induced hypertension.