The Impact of Cost Conversations on the Patient-Physician Relationship.

Previous research has suggested that fear of harm to the patient-physician relationship is an important barrier to conversations about cost of care. However, few experimental studies have investigated the effects of cost of care conversations on the patient-physician relationship, particularly from the patient's perspective. In the current research, we take an experimental approach to investigate patients' attitudes and preferences for a hypothetical physician who discusses cost versus one who does not. Across three studies, using data from both the general population and cancer patients, we find that people prefer a hypothetical physician who discusses cost over one who does not (Pilot Study, Studies 1 and 2). In addition, we find that people use cost information to inform their hypothetical treatment decisions without changing their attitudes toward the physician who includes this information (Study 1). Finally, we examine how and when cost information compares to more traditional medical information (e.g., side effects; Study 2). We discuss the implications of this research for cost communications and the patient-physician relationship, highlighting that cost conversations may not be as harmful as previously thought.

Effect of growth hormone replacement therapy on the quality of life in women with growth hormone deficiency who have a history of acromegaly versus other disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the response in quality of life (QoL) to growth hormone (GH) replacement in women with GH deficiency (GHD) and a history of acromegaly with that in women with GHD of other causes. METHODS: Fifty-five women with GHD were studied: 17 with prior acromegaly and 38 with other causes of GHD. We compared two 6-month, randomized, placebo-controlled studies of GH therapy in women with hypopituitarism conducted with use of the same design-one in women with a history of acromegaly and one in women with no prior acromegaly. QoL was assessed with the following questionnaires: the QoL-Assessment of Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults (AGHDA), the Symptom Questionnaire, and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: The 2 groups had comparable mean pretreatment age, body mass index, and QoL scores and comparable mean GH dose at 6 months (0.61 ± 0.30 versus 0.67 ± 0.27 mg daily). After 6 months of GH replacement therapy, women with GHD and prior acromegaly demonstrated a greater improvement in AGHDA score, four SF-36 sub-scales (Role Limitations due to Physical Health, Energy or Fatigue, Emotional Well-Being, and Social Functioning), and the Somatic Symptoms subscale of the Symptom Questionnaire than did women with GHD of other causes. Poorer pretreatment QoL was associated with a greater improvement in QoL after administration of GH. CONCLUSION: In this study, GH replacement therapy improved QoL in women with GHD and a history of acromegaly but not in women with GHD due to other hypothalamic and pituitary disorders. Further studies are needed to determine the long-term risks versus benefits of GH replacement in patients who develop GHD after definitive treatment for acromegaly.

Effects of GH in women with abdominal adiposity: a 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal adiposity is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and decreased GH secretion. The objective of our study was to determine the effects of GH on body composition and cardiovascular risk markers in abdominally obese women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 79 obese premenopausal women received GH vs placebo for 6 months. Primary endpoints were i) total abdominal (total abdominal adipose tissue, TAT) fat by computed tomography (CT) (body composition) and ii) high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (cardiovascular risk marker). Body composition was assessed by CT, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and proton MR spectroscopy. Serum cardiovascular risk markers, carotid intima-media thickness, and endothelial function were measured. RESULTS: Mean 6-month GH dose was 1.7±0.1 mg/day, resulting in a mean IGF1 SDS increase from -1.7±0.08 to -0.1±0.3 in the GH group. GH administration decreased TAT and hsCRP compared with placebo. In addition, it increased thigh muscle mass and lean body mass and decreased subcutaneous abdominal and trunk fat, tissue plasminogen activator, apoB, and apoB/low-density lipoprotein compared with placebo. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) decreased and intramyocellular lipid increased within the GH group. Six-month change in IGF1 levels was negatively associated with 6-month decrease in TAT and VAT. One subject had a 2 h glucose >200 mg/ml at 3 months; four subjects, three of whom were randomized to GH, had 2 h glucose levels >200 mg/ml at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: GH administration in abdominally obese premenopausal women exerts beneficial effects on body composition and cardiovascular risk markers but is associated with a decrease in glucose tolerance in a minority of women.

Determinants of bone mineral density in obese premenopausal women.

Despite being a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, obesity has been thought to protect against osteoporosis. However, recent studies have demonstrated a differential impact of specific fat compartments on bone mineral density (BMD) with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) having potential detrimental effects on BMD. Visceral obesity is also associated with dysregulation of the GH/IGF-1 axis, an important regulator of bone homeostasis. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the differential effects of abdominal fat depots and muscle, vitamin D, and hormonal determinants, including insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), testosterone, and estradiol, on trabecular BMD of the lumbar spine. We studied 68 healthy obese premenopausal women (mean BMI, 36.7±4.2 kg/m(2)). Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was used to assess body composition and lumbar trabecular BMD. There was an inverse association between BMD and VAT, independent of age and BMI (p=0.003). IGF-1 correlated positively with BMD and negatively with VAT and, in stepwise multivariate regression modeling, was the strongest predictor of BMD and procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP). Thigh muscle cross sectional area (CSA) and thigh muscle density were also associated with BMD (p<0.05), but 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], testosterone, free testosterone, and estradiol levels were not. 25(OH)D was associated inversely with BMI, total, and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (p<0.05). These findings support the hypothesis that VAT exerts detrimental effects, whereas muscle mass exerts positive effects on BMD in premenopausal obese women. Moreover, our findings suggest that IGF-1 may be a mediator of the deleterious effects of VAT on bone health through effects on bone formation.

Adiponectin is inversely associated with intramyocellular and intrahepatic lipids in obese premenopausal women.

Adiponectin, an adipokine secreted by adipocytes, exerts beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism and has been found to improve insulin resistance by decreasing triglyceride content in muscle and liver in obese mice. Adiponectin is found in several isoforms and the high-molecular weight (HMW) form has been linked most strongly to the insulin-sensitizing effects. Fat content in skeletal muscle (intramyocellular lipids, IMCL) and liver (intrahepatic lipids, IHL) can be quantified noninvasively using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS). The purpose of our study was to assess the relationship between HMW adiponectin and measures of glucose homeostasis, IMCL and IHL, and to determine predictors of adiponectin levels. We studied 66 premenopausal women (mean BMI 31.0 ± 6.6 kg/m(2)) who underwent (1)H-MRS of calf muscles and liver for IMCL and IHL, computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen for abdominal fat depots, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for fat and lean mass assessments, HMW and total adiponectin, fasting lipid profile and an oral glucose tolerance test (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA(IR)), glucose and insulin area under the curve). There were strong inverse associations between HMW adiponectin and measures of insulin resistance, IMCL and IHL, independent of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and total body fat. IHL was the strongest predictor of adiponectin and adiponectin was a predictor of HOMA(IR). Our study showed that in premenopausal obese women HMW adiponectin is inversely associated with IMCL and IHL content. This suggests that adiponectin exerts positive effects on insulin sensitivity in obesity by decreasing intracellular triglyceride content in skeletal muscle and liver; it is also possible that our results reflect effects of insulin on adiponectin.

Vertebral bone marrow fat is positively associated with visceral fat and inversely associated with IGF-1 in obese women.

Recent studies have demonstrated an important physiologic link between bone and fat. Bone and fat cells arise from the same mesenchymal precursor cell within bone marrow, capable of differentiation into adipocytes or osteoblasts. Increased BMI appears to protect against osteoporosis. However, recent studies have suggested detrimental effects of visceral fat on bone health. Increased visceral fat may also be associated with decreased growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels which are important for maintenance of bone homeostasis. The purpose of our study was to assess the relationship between vertebral bone marrow fat and trabecular bone mineral density (BMD), abdominal fat depots, GH and IGF-1 in premenopausal women with obesity. We studied 47 premenopausal women of various BMI (range: 18-41 kg/m², mean 30 ± 7 kg/m²) who underwent vertebral bone marrow fat measurement with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), body composition, and trabecular BMD measurement with computed tomography (CT), and GH and IGF-1 levels. Women with high visceral fat had higher bone marrow fat than women with low visceral fat. There was a positive correlation between bone marrow fat and visceral fat, independent of BMD. There was an inverse association between vertebral bone marrow fat and trabecular BMD. Vertebral bone marrow fat was also inversely associated with IGF-1, independent of visceral fat. Our study showed that vertebral bone marrow fat is positively associated with visceral fat and inversely associated with IGF-1 and BMD. This suggests that the detrimental effect of visceral fat on bone health may be mediated in part by IGF-1 as an important regulator of the fat and bone lineage.

Comparison of DXA and CT in the assessment of body composition in premenopausal women with obesity and anorexia nervosa.

Accurate methods for assessing body composition in subjects with obesity and anorexia nervosa (AN) are important for determination of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors and to monitor therapeutic interventions. The purpose of our study was to assess the accuracy of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for measuring abdominal and thigh fat, and thigh muscle mass in premenopausal women with obesity, AN, and normal weight compared to computed tomography (CT). In addition, we wanted to assess the impact of hydration on DXA-derived measures of body composition by using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). We studied a total of 91 premenopausal women (34 obese, 39 with AN, and 18 lean controls). Our results demonstrate strong correlations between DXA- and CT-derived body composition measurements in AN, obese, and lean controls (r = 0.77-0.95, P < 0.0001). After controlling for total body water (TBW), the correlation coefficients were comparable. DXA trunk fat correlated with CT visceral fat (r = 0.51-0.70, P < 0.0001). DXA underestimated trunk and thigh fat and overestimated thigh muscle mass and this error increased with increasing weight. Our study showed that DXA is a useful method for assessing body composition in premenopausal women within the phenotypic spectrum ranging from obesity to AN. However, it is important to recognize that DXA may not accurately assess body composition in markedly obese women. The level of hydration does not significantly affect most DXA body composition measurements, with the exceptions of thigh fat.

Peak growth hormone-releasing hormone-arginine-stimulated growth hormone is inversely associated with intramyocellular and intrahepatic lipid content in premenopausal women with obesity.

CONTEXT: Visceral adiposity is a strong determinant of GH secretion, and low endogenous GH secretion is associated with increased insulin resistance, a key component of the metabolic syndrome. Increased fat accumulation in skeletal muscle and liver may play an etiological role in the development of insulin resistance and other complications of the metabolic syndrome. Little is known about the role of decreased endogenous GH secretion in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in obesity. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between intramyocellular lipids (IMCL), intrahepatic lipids, and peak-stimulated GH in premenopausal women with obesity. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a cross-sectional study at a clinical translational research center. PATIENTS: Patients included 21 premenopausal women with obesity (mean body mass index, 34.0 +/- 4.5 kg/m(2)) and 17 normal-weight controls (mean body mass index, 21.9 +/- 2.0 kg/m(2)) of comparable mean age. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: IMCL and intrahepatic lipids were measured with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS). Body composition was measured with magnetic resonance imaging. Peak GH was measured after stimulation with GHRH-arginine. RESULTS: Obese subjects had higher IMCL, intrahepatic lipids, abdominal and thigh fat, and thigh muscle mass compared with normal-weight controls. There were strong inverse associations between peak GH and both IMCL and intrahepatic lipids independent of age and visceral adiposity. There were positive associations between IMCL and intrahepatic lipids with measures of insulin resistance and serum triglycerides. CONCLUSION: In premenopausal women with obesity, peak GH is inversely associated with IMCL and intrahepatic lipids independent of age and visceral adiposity. This suggests that low GH may contribute to insulin resistance in obesity through effects on muscle and intrahepatic lipids.

Low-dose transdermal testosterone augmentation therapy improves depression severity in women.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate response to antidepressant monotherapy in women with major depressive disorder is common. Testosterone administration has been shown to be an effective augmentation therapy in depressed hypogonadal men with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-resistant depression. However, the effects of low-dose testosterone as augmentation therapy in women with treatment-resistant depression have not been studied. METHODS: Low-dose transdermal testosterone (300 mcg/day, Intrinsa, Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals) was administered to nine women with treatment-resistant depression in an 8 week open-label pilot protocol. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement in mean Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores at 2 weeks, sustained through the 8 week period. Two-thirds of subjects achieved a response to the treatment (decrease in MADRS score of 250%) and 33% achieved remission (final MADRS score <10) after 8 weeks of therapy. Mean levels of fatigue, as measured by the MADRS lassitude item, significantly decreased at all time points with a mean 38% decrease from baseline to 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: These preliminary pilot data suggest that low-dose transdermal testosterone may be an effective augmentation therapy in women with treatment-resistant depression. Further studies are warranted. CNS Spectr. 2009;14(12):688-694