LAPAROSCOPIC BARIATRIC SURGERY IN ADOLESCENTS: EARLY AND FIVE- YEAR CLINICAL AND LABORATORY ASSESSMENT.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has reached epidemic proportions among adolescents. Methods, such as bariatric surgery, have become the most effective treatment for patients with classes III and IV obesity. AIM: To evaluate weight loss, comorbidity remission, and long-term results of bariatric surgery in adolescents. METHODS: Study with adolescent patients undergoing bariatric surgery, evaluating laboratory tests, comorbidities, and the percentage of excess weight loss in the preoperative period and at one, two, and five years postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 65 patients who met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 18.6 years, were included in the analysis. In the preoperative period, 30.8% of hypercholesterolemia, 23.1% of systemic arterial hypertension, and 18.4% of type 2 diabetes were recorded, with remission of these percentages occurring in 60, 66.7 and 83.4%, respectively. The mean percentage of excess weight loss was 63.48% after one year of surgery, 64.75% after two years, and 57.28% after five years. The mean preoperative total cholesterol level was 180.26 mg/dL, and after one, two, and five years, it was 156.89 mg/dL, 161.39 mg/dL, and 150.97 mg/dL, respectively. The initial mean of low-density lipoprotein was 102.19mg/dL and after five years the mean value reduced to 81.81 mg/dL. The mean preoperative glycemia was 85.08 mg/dL and reduced to 79.13 mg/dL after one year, and to 76.19 mg/dL after five years. CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery is safe and effective in adolescents, with low morbidity, resulting in a loss of excess weight and long-term stability, improving laboratory tests, and leading to remission of comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and systemic arterial hypertension.

Assessment of cardiovascular risk factors in a Roma community from Southwestern France.

OBJECTIVES: Roma from Central-Eastern Europe experience a reduced life expectancy in comparison with the general population. Predisposing cardiovascular risk factors could be the underlying reason for this. Here for the first time epidemiologic data on the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors in a subgroup of French Roma has been presented. METHODS: A descriptive epidemiological field survey was conducted in the Manouche community of Pau, Southwestern France. Fifty participants were included (17 men and 33 women) all living in caravans. A questionnaire to ask for demographic and health information was used, and biometric measurements were took in order to assess cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: Our sample included 18% diabetics, 32% people suffering from hypertension, 28% subjects with hypercholesterolemia, and 34% smokers. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was, respectively, 40% and 38% and that of abdominal obesity 64%. These frequencies were about twice those found in the general French population. CONCLUSION: Although our sample was of limited size, our data suggest that French Manouches express a high-risk profile regarding cardiovascular disease, as has been reported for Roma from various countries. Both intrinsic and environmental factors may explain this.

Effect of dietary blueberry pomace on selected metabolic factors associated with high fructose feeding in growing Sprague-Dawley rats.

An experiment was conducted to study the protective effect of feeding extruded and unextruded blueberry pomace (BBP) on selected metabolic parameters associated with metabolic syndrome in a model of high fructose (HF)-fed growing Sprague-Dawley rats. Treatments were as follows: (1) control (modified AIN-based diet); (2) HF diet (AIN diet with 58% fructose); (3) HF diet with 1.5% unextruded BBP; (4) HF diet with 1.5% extruded BBP; (5) HF diet with 3% unextruded BBP; and (6) HF diet with 3% extruded BBP. Compared with the control, HF feeding increased fasting plasma insulin and fasting and postprandial plasma triglycerides as well as homeostatic scores of insulin resistance and ß-cell function, but not weight gain, diet intake and efficiency, abdominal fat, oral glucose tolerance, and fasting and postprandial plasma glucose, cholesterol, and leptin levels. Inclusion of unextruded or extruded BBP was effective in minimizing or ameliorating the fructose-induced metabolic anomalies, except postprandial plasma triglycerides, especially at 3% of the diet. In addition, unextruded or extruded BBP at 3% of the diet was also able to reduce plasma cholesterol and abdominal fat relative to the HF control, which may impart additional health benefits. Compared with the control, inclusion of unextruded or extruded BBP at both 1.5% and 3% resulted in lower total fat weight, and animals fed a diet supplemented with 3% unextruded BBP in fasting state or 3% unextruded BBP in fed state had lower leptin levels than the control. This is the first study demonstrating the beneficial effects of feeding blueberry pomace on health.

[Achievement of therapeutic target in subjects on statin treatment in clinical practice. Results of the STAR (Statins Target Assessment in Real practice) study]. / Raggiungimento del target terapeutico nei soggetti avviati al trattamento con statine in pratica clinica. Risultati dallo studio STAR (Statins Target Assessment in Real practice).

The primary aim of the STAR Study (Statins Target Assessment in Real practice) was to determine the LDL-cholesterol reduction and to analyse patient's and therapeutic factors associated to LDL-cholesterol target attainment in newly treated subjects with statins in an unselected population in clinical practice setting. Administrative databases (including pharmaceutical prescriptions and hospital admissions) and laboratory test databases (including LDL-cholesterol values) of five local health units, distributed in Emilia Romagna, Toscana and Umbria, were linked. A retrospective cohort study was conducted and all subjects aged > or =18 years with a first prescription for statins (newly treated subjects) between January 1st, 2007 and June 30th, 2008 were included. All statin prescriptions over a 12 months follow-up period were considered and used to calculate adherence to treatment. Baseline and follow-up LDL-cholesterol, respectively, were defined according to the nearest determination to the first prescription for statins and to the end of the follow-up period. A total of 3.232 subjects was included, 1.516 males (47%) and 1.716 females (53%), with an average age equal to 65.9 +/- 11.3 years. Among included subjects, 22.,6% had a gap to LDL-cholesterol target <10%, 30.0% between 10 and 29%, 20.7% between 30 and 49%, and 26.7% . or =50%. Among those with a gap to target > or =50%, 30-49%, and 10-29%, respectively, LDL-cholesterol target was attained by 7.1%, 41.8%, and 62.% of subjects. LDL-cholesterol target attainment was associated to gap to target, adherence with treatment, and type of statin.

Health correlates of overweight and obesity in adults aged 50 years and over: results from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Obesity and health in Europeans aged > or = 50 years.

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: To examine the association between overweight/obesity and several self-reported chronic diseases, symptoms and disability measures. METHODS: Data from eleven European countries participating in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe were used. 18,584 non-institutionalised individuals aged 50 years and over with BMI > or = 18.5 (kg/m2) were included. BMI was categorized into normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9) and obesity (BMI > or = 30). Dependent variables were 13 diagnosed chronic conditions, 11 health complaints, subjective health and physical disability measures. For both genders, multiple logistic regressions were performed adjusting for age, socioeconomic status and behaviour risks. RESULTS: The odds ratios for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis, joint pain and swollen legs were significantly increased for overweight and obese adults. Compared to normal-weight individuals, the odds ratio (OR) for reporting > or = 2 chronic diseases was 2.4 (95% CI 1.9-2.9) for obese men and 2.7 (95% CI 2.2-3.1) for obese women. Overweight and obese women were more likely to report health symptoms. Obesity in men (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4-0.6), and overweight (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4-0.6) and obesity (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.5) in women, were associated with poorer subjective health (i.e. a decreased risk of reporting excellent, very good or good subjective health). Disability outcomes were those showing the greatest differences in strength of association across BMI categories, and between genders. For example, the OR for any difficulty in walking 100 metres was non-significant at 0.8 for overweight men, at 1.9 (95% CI 1.3-2.7) for obese men, at 1.4 (95% CI 1.1-1.8) for overweight women, and at 3.5 (95% CI 2.6-4.7) for obese women. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the impact of increased BMI on morbidity and disability. Healthcare stakeholders of the participating countries should be aware of the substantial burden that obesity places on the general health and autonomy of adults aged over 50.

Medical costs of obese Japanese: a 10-year follow-up study of National Health Insurance in Shiga, Japan.

BACKGROUND: For the Japanese population, a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0-29.9 is classified as obesity and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension. METHODS: A cohort study to clarify obesity costs for a Japanese population was conducted utilizing baseline BMI and medical costs over a 10-year follow-up period. The participants were 4502 community dwelling Japanese National Health Insurance (NHI) beneficiaries aged 40-69 years. According to their baseline BMI values (kg/m(2)), participants were classified into the following three categories: BMI < 18.5, 18.5 < or = BMI < 25.0 and 25.0 < or = BMI. Medical costs per person per month were compared among the three categories. Excess medical costs attributable to the 25.0 < or = BMI category compared to the 18.5 < or = BMI < 25.0 category were estimated. RESULTS: Approximately 20% of the Japanese population studied had a BMI of 25.0 or over. A J-shaped relationship between BMI and personal total medical costs was observed. Personal total medical costs per month determined from the 10-year follow-up in each category were 189 Euros (BMI < 18.5), 134 Euros (18.5 < or = BMI < 25.0) and 155 Euros (25.0 < or = BMI). A J-shaped pattern was observed after adjusting for age, sex, smoking and drinking habits, and excluding early deceased participants. Furthermore, smoking habit did not modify the J-shaped pattern of total medical costs. The estimated excess medical costs for the 25.0 < or = BMI category represented 3.1% of the total medical costs for the entire study population (634 105 Euros). CONCLUSION: The Japanese NHI beneficiaries with a BMI of 25.0 or over showed increased medical costs compared to those with a BMI of 18.5-24.9.

Prevalence of adequate control of increased serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in self-pay or Medicare patients versus Medicaid or private insurance patients followed in a University General Medicine Clinic.

In a study of 514 patients with increased serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol followed in a general medicine clinic at a university hospital, the serum LDL cholesterol in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), other atherosclerotic vascular disease, or diabetes mellitus was <100 mg/dl in 219 of 276 patients (79%) with Medicaid or private insurance and in 28 of 67 self-pay or Medicare patients (42%) without pharmaceutical coverage (p <0.001). The serum LDL cholesterol was <130 mg/dl in patients with 2+ risk factor and a 10-year risk for CHD of < or =20% or <160 mg/dl in patients with a 0 to 1 risk factor, and a 10-year risk for CHD of <10% in 54 of 141 patients (38%) with Medicaid or private insurance and in 5 of 30 self-pay or Medicare patients (17%) (p <0.025).

Impact of obesity on medical problems and quality of life in Taiwan.

Little is known about the impact of obesity on medical problems and quality of life for people in the Asia-Pacific region. This January 2002-June 2003 cross-sectional study surveyed 6,318 Taiwanese (3,540 men and 2,778 women) visiting health screening centers in southern Taiwan. The authors used the body mass index classification endorsed by the World Health Organization for people in this region. Information was collected on 15 medical problems and quality of life outcomes, measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 questionnaire. After adjustment for age, lifestyle, and sociodemographic factors, and after comparison of subjects with those not overweight or obese (reference group), an increasing trend of body mass index effects based on this reference category was observed on hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, type II diabetes, hyperuricemia, pulmonary function impairment, fatty liver disease, and osteoarthritis in both sexes (p <0.01). Concerning quality of life, an increasing trend of body mass index effects was also observed on the outcomes physical functioning and bodily pain for both sexes and role limitation due to physical problems for women (p <0.05). Specifically, only the physical functioning domain, including daily activities such as climbing stairs, bending, walking, or some moderate activities, was significantly associated with obesity and was limited to class II obesity.

Global risk assessment in the presymptomatic patient.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, both in the United States and worldwide. It has become widely recognized that a high percentage of cardiovascular events, including sudden cardiac death, occur in previously asymptomatic individuals. Consequently, the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, particularly coronary artery disease (CAD), is an important objective of modern health-care policy. To identify and target high-risk individuals for lifestyle and therapeutic interventions, aggressive screening of the healthy population at risk of developing CAD (or other atherosclerotic disease) is necessary. Because of the complex and often synergistic relations between independent risk factors, it is also important that a multifactorial approach to the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors is adopted. Although treatment guidelines and goals for certain risk factors have been published by national and international organizations, recent evidence suggests that these recommendations are not always adopted in clinical practice. Therefore, considerable potential remains for primary care physicians to further reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in presymptomatic individuals.

Influência do hábito alimentar nas doenças metabólicas de idosos em um hospital geral / Influence of alimentary behavior on the metabolic diseases of the elder populations of a general hospital

O hábito alimentar é um fator importante na prevalência de uma série de patologias freqüentes no idoso. Verificar a influência do estado socioeconômico, nutricional e alimentar com o perfil clínico e metabólico dos idosos atendidos em um hospital geral. Estudamos 81 indivíduos acima de 60 anos (35 homens e 46 mulheres), acompanhados no Ambulatório Geral de Adultos FCM/Unicamp. Estes indivíduos foram examinados por clínicos e nutricionistas estabelecendo-se diagnósticos baseados no IMC, inquérito alimentar recordatório de 24 horas com detalhada abordagem dos hábitos alimentares e nos exames clínico-laboratoriais de cada paciente. A anamnese inclui dados socioeconômicos e prática de atividades físicas. Observamos que 71 por cento dos pacientes estavam aposentados. A renda per capita mensal era inferior a R$ 200,00 em 53 por cento dos casos; 60 por cento dos pacientes apresentavam sobrepeso ou obesidade. Esta foi considerada a patologia de base em 31 por cento dos casos clínicos; coronariopatia estava presente em 21 por cento, hipertensäo em 10 por cento e diabetes em 7 por cento dos pacientes. O consumo de hortaliças, frutas, leite e derivados e carnes, ovos e feijöes foi considerado adequado, mas o de gorduras e açúcares era exacerbado em obesos (Fisher; p=0.01), correlacionando-se com renda per capita mais elevada (Fisher; p=0.014). Também encontramos correlaçäo entre dislipidemia, hipertensäo e diabetes mellitus com o consumo de gorduras e açúcares (Fisher; p=0.03). Mostramos uma correlaçäo entre as condiçöes socioeconômicas e nutricionais com o perfil clínico e metabólico dos idosos atendidos em nosso meio. Enfatizamos a necessidade de uma abordagem ampla visando minimizar riscos e proporcionar qualidade de vida ao idoso.

[Cost analysis and degree of hypercholesterolemia control in type 2 diabetic patients according to different groups and scientific societies]. / Análisis de costes y grado de control de la hipercolesterolemia en los pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 según distintos grupos y sociedades científicas.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the cost and describe the degree of control of the hypercholesterolaemia of type-2 diabetic (DM2) patients according to different groups and scientific societies. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. SETTING: Rural health area. PATIENTS: All DM2 patients monitored in the health area (n = 338). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Gathering of data on clinical histories, determination of cardiovascular risk, LDL-C concentration and total/HDL cholesterol index. DM2 prevalence was 3.08%; annual incidence, 2.55/1000; 45.2% presented hypercholesterolaemia; 16.9% received lipid-lowering treatment; and 20.1% (n = 68) had DM2 with cardiovascular disease. According to the criteria of the GEDAPS-99, European Consensus-98 (Framingham table), Sheffield Group (objectives of the European Consensus-98) and PAPPS-99 for primary prevention, 59.3%, 58.4%, 24.5% and 17.7%, respectively, of hypercholesterolaemic patients were poorly controlled. The percentages of hypercholesterolaemic patients who in each case should receive treatment were: 64.9%, 66.1%, 36.4% and 29.6%. Expenditure in thousands of pesetas every 28 days to achieve proper control of these patients was 282, 423, 274 and 117. The criteria on secondary prevention of the GEDAPS-99 and European Consensus-98 gave figures of 81% and 72.4%, respectively, of poor control of Hypercholesterolaemia. 82.7% and 77.5% of these patients should receive treatment. Expenditure in thousands of pesetas every 28 days to achieve proper control of these patients was 342 and 210. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of control and the costs of hypercholesterolaemia in both primary and secondary prevention vary enormously, depending on the criterion used by the group or scientific society.

Factors influencing GPs' decisions on the treatment of hypercholesterolaemic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study factors influencing GPs' decisions to prescribe lipid-lowering drugs and how their judgements agree with the Swedish guidelines on hyperlipidaemia. DESIGN: Postal questionnaire. SETTING: Primary health care. Authentic written case descriptions of patients, all with a cholesterol value of at least 5.5 mmol/l and with variations in seven other variables (cues) in a Clinical Judgement Analysis (CJA) design. SUBJECTS: Sixty randomly selected primary health care doctors in the south-eastern Stockholm area. RESULTS: Thirty-eight doctors answered the questionnaire. Coronary heart disease had the highest influence on judgements, followed by cholesterol. The majority of doctors used two or three of the eight cues. Doctors differed markedly in their strategies. One in four did not use coronary heart disease in their judgements, even though all patients with this risk factor present (12/40) should receive pharmacological treatment, according to the guidelines. Doctors who adhered to the guidelines in this respect were younger than those who did not. The GPs' insights into their own strategies were good. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that doctors use very different judgement strategies for drug prescription concerning patients with hypercholesterolaemia. A fairly large subgroup of the doctors did not include coronary heart disease in their judgements, in contrast to the present guidelines.

Lifetime health and economic consequences of obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an established risk factor for several chronic diseases. The lifetime health and economic consequences of obesity for individual patients have not been documented. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the lifetime health and economic consequences of obesity. METHODS: We developed a dynamic model of the relationship between body mass index and the risks and associated costs of 5 obesity-related diseases: hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, and stroke. The model was estimated using data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the Framingham Heart Study, and other secondary sources. We used this model to estimate (1) risks of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus at future ages; (2) lifetime risks of coronary heart disease and stroke; (3) life expectancy; and (4) expected lifetime medical care costs of these 5 diseases for men and women aged 35 to 64 years with body mass indexes of 22.5, 27.5, 32.5, and 37.5 kg/m2 (nonobese and mildly, moderately, and severely obese, respectively). RESULTS: Disease risks and costs increase substantially with increased body mass index. The risk of hypertension for moderately obese 45- to 54-year-old men, for example, is roughly 2-fold higher than for their nonobese peers (38.1% vs 17.7%), whereas the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus is almost 3-fold higher (8.1% vs 3.0%). Lifetime risks of coronary heart disease and stroke are similarly elevated (41.8% vs 34.9% and 16.2% vs 13.9%, respectively), whereas life expectancy is reduced by 1 year (26.5 vs 27.5 years). Total discounted lifetime medical care costs for the treatment of these 5 diseases are estimated to differ by $10,000 ($29,600 vs $19,600). Similar results were obtained for women. CONCLUSIONS: The lifetime health and economic consequences of obesity are substantial and suggest that efforts to prevent or reduce this problem might yield significant benefits.

Identifying adults at low risk for significant hyperlipidemia: a validated clinical index.

The objective of this study was to develop and validate a simple clinical index to identify individuals at increased risk of an elevated CHL/HDL ratio. Using recursive partitioning, factors associated with an elevated CHL/HDL ratio were identified among 1993 men and 1631 women in the Lipid Research Clinic Prevalence Study. These factors were weighted using logistic regression analyses to develop a clinical index that was validated on 486 men and 484 women reported in the Santé Québec cardiovascular health survey. A high CHL/HDL ratio was defined as > or =5 for women and > or =6 for men which approximates the 75th percentiles reported in the second United States National Health and Nutrition Survey. In the Lipid Research Clinics cohort, 307 men (15.4%) and 188 women (11.5%) had an elevated CHL/HDL ratio. Using separate clinical indices for men and women, significant variables included body mass index, alcohol consumption, age, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, physical activity status, and the presence of diabetes, the study identified 88% of the men and 82% of the women with elevated ratios. External validation using the Santé Québec data set demonstrated test sensitivities of 81% for men and 94% for women. Overall, 12% of those with a high CHL/HDL ratio were misclassified as low risk. The ratio of total plasma cholesterol to HDL cholesterol has been shown to be one of the best lipid predictors of increased coronary risk. Readily available clinical data can be used to identify 88% of those individuals most likely to benefit from lipid screening while obviating the need for such screening in one quarter of otherwise healthy adults.