Pain sensitivity after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass - associations with chronic abdominal pain and psychosocial aspects.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to investigate modifications in pain sensitivity after RYGB and to explore associations between pain sensitivity and weight loss, chronic abdominal pain, total body pain, anxiety, depression, and pain catastrophizing. METHODS: In total, 163 patients with obesity were examined with a cold pressor test for pain sensitivity before and two years after RYGB. Two aspects of pain sensitivity were registered: Pain intensity (numeric rating scale, range 0-10) and pain tolerance (seconds). Associations between pain sensitivity and the explanatory variables were assessed with linear regression. RESULTS: Two years after RYGB the pain intensity increased (mean ± SD 0.64 ± 1.9 score units, p<0.001). Pain tolerance decreased (7.2 ± 32.4 s, p=0.005). A larger reduction in body mass index was associated with increased pain intensity, ß=-0.090 (95 % CI -0.15 to -0.031, p=0.003), and decreased pain tolerance ß=1.1 (95 % CI 0.95 to 2.2, p=0.03). Before surgery, participants with chronic abdominal pain reported 1.2 ± 0.5 higher pain intensity (p=0.02) and had 19.2 ± 9.3 s lower pain tolerance (p=0.04) than those without abdominal pain. No differences in pain sensitivity were observed between participants who did or did not develop chronic abdominal pain after RYGB. Pain sensitivity was associated with symptoms of anxiety but not with pain catastrophizing, depression or bodily pain. CONCLUSIONS: The pain sensitivity increased after RYGB and was associated with larger weight loss and anxiety symptoms. Changes in pain sensitivity were not associated with development of chronic abdominal pain after RYGB in our study.

Mortality of older acutely admitted medical patients after early discharge from emergency departments: a nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The mortality of older patients after early discharge from hospitals is sparsely described. Information on factors associated with mortality can help identify high-risk patients who may benefit from preventive interventions. The aim of this study was to examine whether demographic factors, comorbidity and admission diagnoses are predictors of 30-day mortality among acutely admitted older patients discharged within 24 h after admission. METHODS: All medical patients aged ≥65 years admitted acutely to Danish hospitals between 1 January 2013 and 30 June 2014 surviving a hospital stay of ≤24 h were included. Demographic factors, comorbidity, discharge diagnoses and mortality within 30 days were described using data from the Danish National Patient Registry and the Civil Registration System. Cox regression was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 93,295 patients (49.4% men) with a median age of 75 years (interquartile range: 69-82 years), were included. Out of these, 2775 patients (3.0%; 95% CI 2.9-3.1%) died within 30 days after discharge. The 30-day mortality was increased in patients with age 76-85 years (aHR 1.59; 1.45-1.75) and 86+ years (aHR 3.35; 3.04-3.70), male gender (aHR 1.22; 1.11-1.33), a Charlson Comorbidity Index of 1-2 (aHR 2.15; 1.92-2.40) and 3+ (aHR 4.07; 3.65-4.54), and unmarried status (aHR 1.17; 1.08-1.27). Discharge diagnoses associated with 30-day mortality were heart failure (aHR 1.52; 1.17-1.95), respiratory failure (aHR 3.18; 2.46-4.11), dehydration (aHR 2.87; 2.51-3.29), constipation (aHR 1.31; 1.02-1.67), anemia (aHR 1.45; 1.27-1.66), pneumonia (aHR 2.24; 1.94-2.59), urinary tract infection (aHR 1.33; 1.14-1.55), dyspnea (aHR 1.57; 1.32-1.87) and suspicion of malignancy (aHR 2.06; 1.64-2.59). CONCLUSIONS: Three percent had died within 30 days. High age, male gender, the comorbidity burden, unmarried status and several primary discharge diagnoses were identified as independent prognostic factors of 30-day all-cause mortality.

Genetic markers of abdominal obesity and weight loss after gastric bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Weight loss after bariatric surgery varies widely between individuals, partly due to genetic differences. In addition, genetic determinants of abdominal obesity have been shown to attenuate weight loss after dietary intervention with special attention paid to the rs1358980-T risk allele in the VEGFA locus. Here we aimed to test if updated genetic risk scores (GRSs) for adiposity measures and the rs1358980-T risk allele are linked with weight loss following gastric bypass surgery. METHODS: Five hundred seventy six patients with morbid obesity underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. A GRS for BMI and a GRS for waist-hip-ratio adjusted for BMI (proxy for abdominal obesity), respectively, were constructed. All patients were genotyped for the rs1358980-T risk allele. Associations between the genetic determinants and weight loss after bariatric surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: The GRS for BMI was not associated with weight loss (ß = -2.0 kg/100 risk alleles, 95% CI -7.5 to 3.3, p = 0.45). Even though the GRS for abdominal obesity was associated with an attenuated weight loss response adjusted for age, sex and center (ß = -14.6 kg/100 risk alleles, 95% CI -25.4 to -3.8, p = 0.008), it was not significantly associated with weight loss after adjustment for baseline BMI (ß = -7.9 kg/100 risk alleles, 95% CI -17.5 to 1.6, p = 0.11). Similarly, the rs1358980-T risk allele was not significantly associated with weight loss (ß = -0.8 kg/risk allele, 95% CI -2.2 to 0.6, p = 0.25). DISCUSSION: GRSs for adiposity derived from large meta-analyses and the rs1358980-T risk allele in the VEGFA locus did not predict weight loss after gastric bypass surgery. The association between a GRS for abdominal obesity and the response to bariatric surgery may be dependent on the association between the GRS and baseline BMI.

Changes in serum zonulin in individuals with morbid obesity after weight-loss interventions: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Zonulin is a biomarker of impaired intestinal permeability, which has been associated with various disorders. The primary aim was to study serum zonulin (s-zonulin) in individuals with morbid obesity before and after a conservative weight loss intervention followed by bariatric surgery. The secondary aims were to explore predictors of s-zonulin, and the associations between the changes of the predictors and changes in s-zonulin, and to compare the associations in the two treatment periods. METHODS: Individuals with morbid obesity were included. Data before any weight loss interventions, after a 6 months' conservative weight loss intervention, and 6 months after bariatric surgery were used. S-zonulin was measured with an ELISA method from Immundiagnostik AB, Bensheim, Germany. Data were analysed with mixed models. RESULTS: The mean body mass index was 42.1 kg/m2 (SD 3.8) at inclusion and was reduced to 38.7 kg/m2 (SD 3.8) and 29.8 kg/m2 (SD 3.8) after the conservative treatment and bariatric surgery respectively. S-zonulin was 63 ng/mL (SD 32) at inclusion and was reduced with 19 ng/ml (95% CI 12 to 26, p < 0.001) after conservative treatment and 11 ng/ml (95% CI 0 to 21, p = 0.04) after bariatric surgery. At inclusion, s-zonulin was significantly associated with factors including p-glucose (B = 2.21, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.33, p < 0.001), c-reactive protein (B = 1.02, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.58, p < 0.001) and the intake of proteins (B = 0.23, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.38, p = 0.003) and non-nutritive sweeteners (B = 0.68, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.17, p = 0.007). The reduction in s-zonulin after the conservative weight loss intervention was significantly associated with improvement in diarrhoea (B = 6.6, 95% CI 1.3 to 11.8, p = 0.02), HbA1c (B = 9.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 18.3, p = 0.03), p-glucose (B = 3.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 5.9, p = 0.004) and gamma-GT (B = 0.28, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.47, p = 0.004), but not associated with the change in body mass index (B = 0.9, 95% CI - 1.5 to 3.3, p = 0.46). CONCLUSIONS: S-zonulin was markedly reduced after the conservative weight loss intervention, and further reduced after bariatric surgery. The reduction in s-zonulin was associated with improvement of diarrhoea, markers of glucose intolerance and liver disease, but not associated with the change in body mass index.

Introducing the "hip call" to facilitate early surgical treatment of hip fractures: A feasibility study.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical treatment of hip fractures within 24-48 hours decreases morbidity and mortality, but goals for early surgery have not been widely achieved so far. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of implementation of a hip call, and the secondary aim was to investigate the effect of the hip call on time for pre-operative preparation and surgery compared to a historical control cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 4, 2019 until June 30, 2019, admission of patients at Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg, Denmark, with a suspected hip fracture triggered an acute hip call. Key personnel are summoned to secure rapid pre-operative preparation and surgery. The implementation was defined feasible, if ≥ 75% of the patients were ready for surgery within 4 hours and had surgery initiated within 24 hours of hospital arrival. The historical control cohort was patients with hip fractures in the same period in 2018. RESULTS: A total of 128 patients were included in 2019, and 99 in 2018. After implementation of hip call, 83% of patients were ready for surgery within 4 hours. After vs before hip call, 88% vs 51% were operated within 24 hours and 96% vs 79% within 36 hours. Time from admission to surgery (hh:mm) was reduced by mean 10:33 (CI 07:46-13:20), P < .001. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a hip call was feasible with 83% of patients being ready for surgery within 4 hours, and 88% being operated within 24 hours. Future large-scale studies should clarify potential benefits on clinical outcome.

Predictors of Acute Kidney Injury After Hip Fracture in Older Adults.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) following hip fracture surgery in geriatric patients and to identify predictors for development of AKI with a focus on possible preventable risk factors. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed electronic medical records of all patients above 65 years of age who underwent hip fracture surgery at Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg, Denmark, in 2018. Acute kidney injury was assessed according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors for AKI. RESULTS: Postoperative AKI developed in 28.4% of the included patients (85/299). Acute kidney injury was associated with increased length of admission (11.3 vs 8.7 days, P < .001) and 30-day mortality (18/85 vs 16/214, P = .001). In multivariable analysis, higher age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.08, P = .004), heart disease (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.01-3.11, P = .045), and postoperative blood transfusion (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.01-3.36, P = .048) were associated with AKI. Moreover, a higher postoperative C-reactive protein (199.0 ± 99.9 in patients with AKI, 161.3 ± 75.2 in patients without AKI) and lower postoperative diastolic blood pressure were observed in patients developing AKI. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Acute kidney injury was common following hip fracture surgery and associated with longer admissions and increased mortality. Patients developing AKI were older and showed several postoperative similarities, including higher C-reactive protein, lower postoperative diastolic pressure, and the need for blood transfusion.

Irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms and health related quality of life two years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass - a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is prevalent in patients with morbid obesity. After Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) chronic abdominal pain is common, however the etiology is largely unknown. We aimed to study the change in the prevalence of IBS-like symptoms 2 years after RYGB and possible preoperative predictors of such symptoms. Secondly, to evaluate changes in symptoms of constipation and diarrhea, and Health related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: Patients with morbid obesity were included at two obesity centers in South-Eastern Norway. IBS was diagnosed according to the Rome III criteria. Predictors were evaluated in a multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 307 participants operated with RYGB, 233 (76%) completed the study questionnaires. Preoperatively 27/233 participants (12%) had IBS, 2 years after RYGB 61/233 (26%) had IBS-like symptoms (p < 0.001). Eleven participants with IBS preoperatively (41%) did not report such symptoms after RYGB. New onset IBS-like symptoms was identified in 45/206 (22%) after RYGB. Fibromyalgia, low LDL levels, high vitamin B1 levels and IBS before RYGB were independent preoperative predictors of IBS-like symptoms at the follow-up visit. Symptom scores for constipation preoperatively and 2 year after RYGB were 1.5 (0.9) and 1.8 (1.2), and for diarrhea 1.4 (0.9) and 1.8 (1.1), respectively (p < 0.001). We observed a significant improvement in the physical component score for all participants. However, participants with new onset IBS-like symptoms had a significant worsening of the mental component score. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of IBS-like symptoms doubled 2 years after RYGB, and these symptoms were associated with reduced HRQoL. Preoperative IBS and fibromyalgia were strong predictors of postoperative IBS-like symptoms.

Changes in C-reactive protein, neopterin and lactoferrin differ after conservative and surgical weight loss in individuals with morbid obesity.

C-reactive protein, neopterin and lactoferrin are biomarkers of atherosclerotic disease. We aimed to assess changes in these biomarkers after conservative and surgical weight loss interventions in individuals with morbid obesity, to evaluate associations between biomarker changes and changes in body mass index and HbA1c, and to study associations between changes in the biomarkers. C-reactive protein, neopterin and lactoferrin were measured before and after conservative weight loss intervention and bariatric surgery. Data were analysed with mixed models. 137 individuals (mean age 43 years) were included. Body mass index decreased from 42.1 kg/m2 to 38.9 kg/m2 after the conservative intervention, and further to 30.5 kg/m2 after bariatric surgery. All biomarkers decreased after the conservative weight loss intervention. C-reactive protein and lactoferrin continued to decrease following bariatric surgery whereas neopterin remained stable. After adjustments for change in body mass index and HbA1c, all biomarkers decreased significantly after the conservative weight loss intervention, whereas none changed after bariatric surgery. There were no consistent correlations between changes in C-reactive protein, neopterin and lactoferrin. In conclusion, biomarkers of atherosclerosis decreased after weight loss interventions but had different trajectories. Neopterin, a marker related to atherosclerotic plaque stability, decreased after conservative weight loss but not following bariatric surgery.

Genetic Determinants of Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The weight loss after bariatric surgery shows considerable individual variation. Twin studies of response to dietary interventions and studies of bariatric surgery patients suggest that genetic differences may play a role. This study aimed to examine the effect of three genetic risk scores on the inter-individual variation in excess body mass index loss (EBMIL) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Furthermore, we searched among known adiposity-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for genetic determinants of the inter-individual variation in EBMIL. METHODS: Patients with morbid obesity underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and were genotyped (n = 577). Two genetic risk scores for weight loss after bariatric surgery and a genetic risk score for body mass index were calculated. Associations between the genetic risk scores and EBMIL were evaluated. Lasso regression was performed on 126 SNPs known to be associated with adiposity. RESULTS: The average EBMIL was 76.9% (range 21.7-149.2%). EBMIL was 81.1% (SD 20.6) and 73.9% (SD 21.7) in the high and low tertile groups of a genetic risk score for weight loss. Patients with a low genetic risk score for body mass index (in the lowest 5% percentile) had an EBMIL of 68.8% (SD 20.6, p = 0.018). Thirteen adiposity-related SNPs were identified to associate with EBMIL through lasso regression. DISCUSSION: A genetic risk score was associated with EBMIL after bariatric surgery, but may not yet be applicable to clinical practice. Patients genetically predisposed to low body mass index had lower weight loss after bariatric surgery.

Prevalence and predictors of irritable bowel syndrome in patients with morbid obesity: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome has been reported as more common in patients with morbid obesity than in the general population. The reason for this association is unknown. The aims of this study were to study the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and other functional bowel disorders in patients with morbid obesity, and to search for predictors of irritable bowel syndrome. METHODS: Patients opting for bariatric surgery at two obesity centers in South-Eastern Norway were included. Functional bowel disorders were diagnosed according to the Rome III criteria. Predictors were evaluated in a multivariable logistic regression analysis with irritable bowel syndrome as the dependent variable. RESULTS: A total of 350 (58%) out of 603 consecutive patients were included. The prevalence rates of irritable bowel syndrome at the two centers were 17/211 (8%) and 37/139 (27%) respectively. High low-density lipoprotein (OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.34-3.29), self-reported psychiatric disorders (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.12-5.08) and center (OR 5.22; 95% CI 2.48-10.99) were independent predictors of irritable bowel syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: At one of the two obesity centers, the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome was threefold higher than in the general population in the same region. The high prevalence appears to be related to dietary differences or altered absorption or metabolism of fat. Attention to irritable bowel syndrome is important in the care of patients with morbid obesity.

Intake of non-nutritive sweeteners is associated with an unhealthy lifestyle: a cross-sectional study in subjects with morbid obesity.

BACKGROUND: Subjects with morbid obesity commonly use Non-Nutritive Sweeteners (NNS), but the health-related effects of NNS have been questioned. The objectives of this study were to explore the associations between theuse of NNS and the health and lifestyle in subjects with morbid obesity. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included subjects with morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 or ≥35 kg/m2 with obesity-related comorbidity). Information about demographics, physical and mental health, and dietary habits was collected, and a blood screen was taken. One unit of NNS was defined as 100 ml beverages with NNS or 2 tablets/units of NNS for coffee or tea. The associations between the intake of NNS and the health-related variables were analyzed with ordinal regression analyses adjusted for age, gender and BMI. RESULTS: One hundred subjects (women/men 83/17; mean age 44.3 years (SD 8.5)) were included. Median intake of NNS was 3.3 units (range 0 - 43). Intake of NNS was not associated with BMI (p = 0.64). The intake of NNS was associated with reduced heavy physical activity (p = 0.011), fatigue (p < 0.001), diarrhea (p = 0.009) and reduced well-being (p = 0.046); with increased intake of total energy (p = 0.003), fat (p = 0.013), carbohydrates (p = 0.002), sugar (p = 0.003) and salt (p = 0.001); and with reduced intake of the vitamins A (p = 0.001), C (p = 0.002) and D (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The use of NNS-containing beverages was associated with an unhealthy lifestyle, reduced physical and mental health and unfavourable dietary habits with increased energy intake including sugar, and reduced intake of some vitamins.

[Is registration of multiple myeloma in the Norwegian Cancer Registry good enough?]. / Er registreringen av myelomatose i Kreftregisteret god nok?

BACKGROUND: The last 15 years several studies have evaluated the quality of the Norwegian Cancer Registry. A pilot study from 1981 showed that the registration quality of non-solid tumours was significantly weaker than that for solid tumours. We wanted to study the registration quality of multiple myeloma in the Norwegian Cancer Registry during the 1990s. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the 1990s, the majority of younger Norwegian patients with multiple myeloma diagnosed in certain time periods were included in clinical studies. 348 patients were included, whereas 440 patients were registered in the Norwegian Cancer Registry during the same time period. We compared the patients included in studies with those in the Registry. When a discrepancy was found the diagnostic data and the registration process were looked into. RESULTS: Registration of multiple myeloma in the Norwegian Cancer Registry in the 1990s had a completeness of 92.7 % and an accuracy of 92.5 %. INTERPRETATION: The quality of multiple myeloma registration in the Norwegian Cancer Registry has improved from the 1970s (the data had a completeness of 77-82%) to the 1990s, but is still not as good as the registration of solid tumours. Increased awareness of this problem at pathological and haematological departments can probably improve the quality of registration further.