Obesity is a chronic disease. Positioning statement of the Diabetes, Obesity and Nutrition Workgroup of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) for an approach centred on individuals with obesity. / La obesidad es una enfermedad crónica. Posicionamiento del grupo de trabajo de Diabetes, Obesidad y Nutrición de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna (SEMI) por un abordaje centrado en la persona con obesidad.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a chronic, complex and multifactorial metabolic disease involved in the development of chronic noncommunicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The care of individuals with obesity is an essential part of the holistic approach provided by internal medicine to patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between September 2019 and January 2020, we distributed an online survey to the members of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. We prepared a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats analysis using the responses and, using the nominal group technique, developed the recommendations. RESULTS: We obtained 599 responses. The respondents mean age was 44.4±11 years, and 52.1% were women. Some 91.8% of the internists evaluate their patients to rule out the comorbidities associated with obesity, mainly type 2 diabetes mellitus (96.2%), cardiovascular disease (88.9%) and obesity-associated hypoventilation syndrome (73%), among others. Some 79.9% provided indications on lifestyle changes. Some 64.1% and 74.9% of the respondents knew the indications for the drugs and bariatric surgery, respectively. Some 93.8% and 83% of the respondents considered obesity and excess weight a chronic disease, and 88.7% considered it a disease of specific interest to internists, who should take an active and leading role in its treatment (85.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The objective of the present document is to determine the degree of understanding and sensitivity of internists regarding the management of obesity and to develop a consensus of recommendations for the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine based on the scientific evidence and the opinion of its members.

Obesity is a chronic disease. Positioning statement of the Diabetes, Obesity and Nutrition Workgroup of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) for an approach centred on individuals with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a chronic, complex and multifactorial metabolic disease involved in the development of chronic noncommunicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The care of individuals with obesity is an essential part of the holistic approach provided by internal medicine to patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between September 2019 and January 2020, we distributed an online survey to the members of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. We prepared a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats analysis using the responses and, using the nominal group technique, developed the recommendations. RESULTS: We obtained 599 responses. The respondents mean age was 44.4 ±â€¯11 years, and 52.1% were women. Some 91.8% of the internists evaluate their patients to rule out the comorbidities associated with obesity, mainly type 2 diabetes mellitus (96.2%), cardiovascular disease (88.9%) and obesity-associated hypoventilation syndrome (73%), among others. Some 79.9% provided indications on lifestyle changes. Some 64.1% and 74.9% of the respondents knew the indications for the drugs and bariatric surgery, respectively. Some 93.8% and 83% of the respondents considered obesity and excess weight a chronic disease, and 88.7% considered it a disease of specific interest to internists, who should take an active and leading role in its treatment (85.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The objective of the present document is to determine the degree of understanding and sensitivity of internists regarding the management of obesity and to develop a consensus of recommendations for the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine based on the scientific evidence and the opinion of its members.

Single versus double experimental bile duct ligation model for inducing bacterial translocation.

BACKGROUND: Double common bile duct ligation plus section in rats is used as a model for bacterial translocation, a phenomenon that has been correlated with the degree of liver damage. This study analyzes whether a simpler variant of the technique is also a valid model to study bacterial translocation. METHODS: Fifty-six male Sprague Dawley rats underwent one of three surgical interventions: a) proximal double ligation and section of the common bile duct; b) proximal simple ligation of the bile duct; and c) sham operation. Bacterial translocation was measured by cultures of mesenteric lymph nodes, blood, spleen and liver. Stool culture and histological analysis of liver damage were also performed. RESULTS: The incidence of bacterial translocation in SBL and DBDL groups was 23,5% and 25% respectively. Mortality was similar between ligation groups (11.2% versus 10%). Liver cirrhosis developed in the group of double ligation and section (100% of the animals at 4 weeks), while portal hypertension appeared starting at week 3. None of the animals submitted to simple ligation developed liver cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: Simple bile duct ligation is associated with a similar incidence of bacterial translocation as double ligation, but without cirrhosis or portal hypertension.

Safety and efficacy of a basal-plus regimen with insulin glargine and insulin glulisine for elderly patients with high cardiovascular risk and type 2 diabetes mellitus. / Eficacia y seguridad de una pauta basal plus con insulina glargina e insulina glulisina en pacientes ancianos de alto riesgo cardiovascular con diabetes mellitus tipo 2.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of a basal-plus (BP) regimen with insulin glargine (as basal insulin) and insulin glulisine (as prandial insulin) with the main meal for elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and high cardiovascular risk, following standard clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational, retrospective study was conducted in 21 centres of internal medicine in Spain. The study included patients aged 65 years or older with DM2, undergoing treatment with a BP regimen for 4 to 12 months before inclusion in the study and a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease or high cardiovascular risk. The primary endpoint was the change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from the introduction of the glulisine to inclusion in the study. RESULTS: The study included 198 patients (mean age, 74±6.4 years; males, 52%). After at least 4 months of treatment with the BP regimen, started with the addition of glulisine, the mean HbA1c value decreased significantly (9±1.5% vs. 7.7±1.1%; P<.001), and almost 24% of the patients reached HbA1c levels of 7.5-8%. Furthermore, blood glucose levels under fasting conditions decreased significantly (190.6±73.2mg/dl vs. 138.9±38.2mg/dl; P<.001). A total of 35 patients (17.7%) had some hypoglycaemia during the month prior to the start of the study, and 2 cases (1.01%) of severe hypoglycaemia were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The BP strategy could significantly improve blood glucose control in patients 65 years of age or older with DM2 and high cardiovascular risk and is associated with a low risk of severe hypoglycaemia.

Efecto de semaglutida sobre los biomarcadores de la enfermedad del hígado graso en pacientes con diabetes y obesidad / Effect of semaglutide on fatty liver disease biomarkers in patients with diabetes and obesity

Objetivo El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar el efecto de la semaglutida subcutánea sobre los biomarcadores de la enfermedad metabólica hepática (MAFLD), a saber, el índice de esteatosis hepática (HSI) y el índice de fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), a las 24semanas en pacientes ambulatorios atendidos en los servicios de Medicina Interna. Métodos En este estudio se analizaron pacientes de un registro de cohortes en curso, multicéntrico, prospectivo, pre-post y no controlado que inscribe a pacientes únicos y consecutivos con diabetes tipo2 tratados con semaglutida subcutánea. La esteatosis/fibrosis se determinó mediante HSI (<30 descartada, >36 esteatosis) y FIB-4 (<1,3 descartada, >2,67 fibrosis), respectivamente. Resultados La muestra incluyó 213 pacientes (46,9% mujeres) con una mediana de edad de 64 (±19) años. El índice de masa corporal y el peso basales medios fueron de 36,1 (±8,4) kg/m2 y 98 (±26,9) kg, respectivamente. El 99,9% presentaba valores de HSI indicativos de esteatosis, con un HSI medio de 47,9 (±8,2). Además, el 10,8% presentaba fibrosis (FIB-4 >2,67) y el 42,72% tenía valores en rangos intermedios (FIB-4 1,3-2,67). A las 24 semanas se produjo una reducción significativa del HSI (−2,36 [IC95%: 1,83-2,9], p<0,00001) y del FIB-4 (−0,075 [IC95%: 0,015-0,14], p<0,016), relacionada principalmente con descensos del peso corporal, de los niveles de triglicéridos, de la resistencia a la insulina (estimada mediante el índice triglicéridos-glucosa) y de las enzimas hepáticas. Conclusiones Estos resultados muestran que la semaglutida subcutánea tuvo un efecto beneficioso sobre la esteatosis hepática que fue más allá del control de la glucosa. Sus efectos estaban relacionados principalmente con la pérdida de peso, la disminución de los biomarcadores y la mejora de la sensibilidad a la insulina. Para muchos pacientes, la detección precoz es esencial para mejorar los resultados de la MAFLD y puede permitir seleccionar las opciones terapéuticas más eficaces (AU)

Aim This work aims to assess the effect of weekly subcutaneous semaglutide on biomarkers of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), namely the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, at 24weeks in outpatients attended to in internal medicine departments. Methods This study analyzed patients in an ongoing, multicenter, prospective, pre-post, uncontrolled cohort registry that enrolls unique, consecutive patients with type2 diabetes treated with weekly subcutaneous semaglutide. Steatosis/fibrosis were determined by HSI (<30 ruled out, >36 steatosis) and FIB-4 (<1.3 ruled out, >2.67 fibrosis), respectively. Results The sample included 213 patients (46.9% women) with a median age of 64 (±19) years. The median baseline body mass index and weight were 36.1 (±8.4) kg/m2 and 98 (±26.9) kg, respectively. A total of 99.9% had HSI values indicating steatosis, with a mean HSI of 47.9 (±8.2). Additionally, 10.8% had fibrosis (FIB-4 >2.67) and 42.72% had values in intermediate ranges (FIB-4 1.3-2.67). At 24weeks, there was a significant reduction in HSI (−2.36 (95%CI: 1.83-2.9), p<0.00001) and FIB-4 (−0.075 (95%CI: 0.015-0.14), p<0.016), mainly related to declines in body weight, triglyceride levels, insulin resistance (estimated by the triglyceride-glucose index), and liver enzymes. Conclusion These results show that weekly subcutaneous semaglutide had a beneficial effect on liver steatosis that went beyond glucose control. Its effects were mainly related to weight loss, a decline in biomarkers, and improvements in insulin sensitivity. For many patients, early detection is essential for improving MAFLD outcomes and may allow for selecting the most efficient treatment options (AU)

La obesidad es una enfermedad crónica. Posicionamiento del grupo de trabajo de Diabetes, Obesidad y Nutrición de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna (SEMI) por un abordaje centrado en la persona con obesidad / Obesity is a chronic disease. Positioning statement of the Diabetes, Obesity and Nutrition Workgroup of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) for an approach centred on individuals with obesity

Introducción La obesidad es una enfermedad metabólica crónica, compleja y multifactorial, implicada en el desarrollo de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles como la diabetes mellitus tipo 2, las enfermedades cardiovasculares y el cáncer. Es necesario que la atención a las personas con obesidad sea una parte esencial de la visión integral que la medicina interna aporta a la persona enferma. Material y métodos Entre septiembre de 2019 y enero de 2020 se difundió una encuesta en línea a los socios de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna; se elaboró un análisis DAFO con las respuestas y, mediante la técnica de Grupo Nominal, se elaboraron las recomendaciones. Resultados Obtuvimos 599 respuestas. Edad media 44,4±11años; 52,1% mujeres. El 91,8% de los internistas evalúa a los pacientes para descartar las comorbilidades asociadas a la obesidad, principalmente la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (96,2%), la enfermedad cardiovascular (88,9%) o el síndrome de hipoventilación asociada a obesidad (73%), entre otros. El 79,9% proporciona indicaciones sobre modificación del estilo de vida. El 64,1% y el 74,9% conocen las indicaciones de los fármacos y de la cirugía bariátrica, respectivamente. El 93,8% y el 83% consideran la obesidad y el sobrepeso una enfermedad crónica y el 88,7% una patología propia del internista, debiendo tener un papel activo y protagonista en su tratamiento (85,3%). Conclusiones El objetivo del presente documento es dar a conocer el grado de conocimiento y de sensibilidad de los internistas frente al manejo de la obesidad y elaborar un consenso de recomendaciones de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna basadas en la evidencia científica y en la opinión de sus miembros (AU)

Introduction Obesity is a chronic, complex and multifactorial metabolic disease involved in the development of chronic noncommunicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The care of individuals with obesity is an essential part of the holistic approach provided by internal medicine to patients. Material and methods Between September 2019 and January 2020, we distributed an online survey to the members of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. We prepared a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats analysis using the responses and, using the nominal group technique, developed the recommendations. Result We obtained 599 responses. The respondents mean age was 44.4±11 years, and 52.1% were women. Some 91.8% of the internists evaluate their patients to rule out the comorbidities associated with obesity, mainly type 2 diabetes mellitus (96.2%), cardiovascular disease (88.9%) and obesity-associated hypoventilation syndrome (73%), among others. Some 79.9% provided indications on lifestyle changes. Some 64.1% and 74.9% of the respondents knew the indications for the drugs and bariatric surgery, respectively. Some 93.8% and 83% of the respondents considered obesity and excess weight a chronic disease, and 88.7% considered it a disease of specific interest to internists, who should take an active and leading role in its treatment (85.3%). Conclusions The objective of the present document is to determine the degree of understanding and sensitivity of internists regarding the management of obesity and to develop a consensus of recommendations for the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine based on the scientific evidence and the opinion of its members (AU)