The Association of Metabolic Risk Factors with Advanced Adenomas in Hispanic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been implicated as rising risk factors for the development of colorectal cancers. A rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity and severe obesity among Hispanic patients in the United States may present substantially increased risk for advanced colorectal neoplasia in this population. Currently, there is very little research in this area. AIMS: We sought to identify metabolic risk factors for advanced adenomas (AA) in Hispanic Americans. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from the Los Angeles General (LAG) Medical Center of asymptomatic Hispanic patients above 45 years of age who underwent their first colonoscopies following a positive screening FBT. Patient demographics, metabolic characteristics, as well as colon polyp size and histology were recorded. Polyps were classified as adenomas or AA (including both high-risk adenomas and high-risk serrated polyps). Relative risk for AA was assessed by multivariate logistical regression analyses. RESULTS: Of the 672 patients in our study, 41.4% were male, 67% had adenomas, and 16% had AA. The mean BMI was 31.2 kg/m2. The mean HDL-C was 49.5 mg/dL (1.28 mmol/L) and the mean triglyceride level was 151 mg/dL. 44.6% had diabetes and 64.1% had hypertension. When comparing patients with AA to patients with no adenoma, male sex, BMI > 34.9 kg/m2, and elevated fasting triglyceride levels were associated with an increased risk of AA. FIB-4 ≥1.45 was also associated with an increased risk of AA in males. There was no significant difference in the risk of AA with diabetes, hypertension, FIB-4 score, LDL-C level, and HDL-C level. CONCLUSIONS: Hispanic patients with a positive FBT were observed to have a high incidence of AA. Class II obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2), elevated triglyceride levels were identified as risk factors among males in our study. Early interventions to address these modifiable risk factors in at-risk populations, such as multi-disciplinary weight management programs for the treatment of obesity and related co-morbidities, could potentially lead to risk reduction and CRC prevention.

Endobariatrics: a Still Underutilized Weight Loss Tool.

Purpose of review: Bariatric and metabolic endoscopic therapies provide an option for patients seeking clinically significant weight loss with fewer adverse events than conventional bariatric surgery. Our aims are to provide an overview of the current state of primary endoscopic treatment options for weight loss and to emphasize the importance of including these therapies when presenting weight loss options to qualified patients. Recent findings: Bariatric endoscopy procedures are associated with a lower adverse event rate when compared to bariatric surgery and result in more weight loss than most existing pharmacotherapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Summary: Sufficient evidence exists to implement bariatric endoscopic therapies-namely, the intragastric balloon and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty-as safe and effective treatment options for weight loss when used in combination with lifestyle changes. However, bariatric endoscopy remains an underutilized option by weight management providers. Future studies are needed to identify patient and provider-level barriers to adopting endoscopic bariatric therapies as an option for the treatment of obesity.

Pharmacologic management of weight regain following bariatric surgery.

While bariatric surgery restults in significant long-term weight loss for most patients with obesity, post-surgical weight gain affects a considerable percentage of patients to varying degrees of severity. Furthermore, a small but significant percentage of patients experience inadequate post-surgical weight loss. Although many studies have examined the role of anti-obesity medications to address post-operative weight regain, an evidence-based consensus has not yet been achieved because of the heterogeneity of populations studied and the studies themselves. Observational studies in the post-bariatric surgery population consistently demonstrate the benefit of medical weight management after bariatric surgery, with most evidence highlighting liraglutide, topiramate, and phentermine/topiramate. New anti-obesity medications are anticipated to be helpful for post-surgical weight optimization given their efficacy in the non-surgical population.

Primary Care Provider Practice Patterns and Barriers to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Low rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance are primarily due to provider-related process failures. However, few studies have evaluated primary care provider (PCP) practice patterns, attitudes, and barriers to HCC surveillance at academic tertiary care referral centers. METHODS: We conducted a web-based survey of PCPs at 2 tertiary care referral centers (133 providers) from June 2017 through December 2017. The survey was adapted from pretested surveys and included questions about practice patterns, attitudes, and barriers to HCC surveillance. We used the Fisher exact and Mann-Whitney rank-sum tests to identify factors associated with adherence to HCC surveillance recommendations, for categoric and continuous variables, respectively. RESULTS: We obtained a provider-level response rate of 75% and clinic-level response rate of 100% (133 providers). Whereas most PCPs performed HCC surveillance themselves, one-third deferred surveillance to subspecialists and referred patients to a hepatology clinic. Providers believed the combination of ultrasound and α-fetoprotein analysis to be highly effective for early stage tumor detection and reported using the combination for assessment of most patients. However, PCPs were more likely to use computed tomography- or magnetic resonance imaging-based surveillance for patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or decompensated cirrhosis. Most providers believed HCC surveillance to be efficacious for early tumor detection and increasing survival. However, they desired increased high-quality evidence to characterize screening benefits and harms. Providers expressed notable misconceptions about HCC surveillance, including the role for measurement of liver enzyme levels in HCC surveillance and cost effectiveness of surveillance in patients without cirrhosis. They also reported barriers, including not being up to date on HCC surveillance recommendations, limited time in the clinic, and competing clinical concerns. CONCLUSIONS: In a web-based survey, PCPs reported misconceptions and barriers to HCC surveillance. This indicates the need for interventions, including provider education, to improve HCC surveillance effectiveness in clinical practice.