Insurance-mandated weight management program completion before bariatric surgery provides no long-term clinical benefit.

BACKGROUND: There is no evidence that insurance-mandated weight loss before bariatric surgery affects outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study evaluated the relationship between insurance-mandated weight management program (WMP) completion before primary bariatric surgery and postoperative outcomes. SETTING: Suburban academic medical center. METHODS: Patients who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB, n = 572) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG, n = 484) from 2014 to 2019 were dichotomized to presence (LRYGB n = 431, SG n = 348) or absence (LRYGB n = 141, SG n = 136) of insurance-mandated WMP completion. Primary endpoints included follow-up rate, percent total weight loss (%TWL), and percent excess weight loss (%EWL) through 60 months after surgery. The Mann-Whitney U test compared between-group means with significance at P < .05. RESULTS: Follow-up rate, %TWL, and %EWL were not different (P = NS) up to 60 months postoperation between groups for either surgery. Both LRYGB and SG patients without WMP completion maintained greater %TWL (LRYGB: 34.4 ± 11.1% versus 29.8 ± 11.0%, P = .159; SG: 21.4 ± 10.0% versus 18.2 ± 10.5%, P = .456) and %EWL (LRYGB: 71.3 ± 26.3% versus 67.6 ± 26.5%, P = .618; SG: 49.2 ± 18.8% versus 47.5 ± 28.8%, P = .753) at 36 months after surgery. Secondarily, duration of time to get to surgery was significantly greater among yes-WMP patients (LRYGB: 178 days versus 121 days, P < .001; SG: 169 days versus 95 days, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Insurance-mandated WMP completion before bariatric surgery delays patient access to surgery without improving postoperative weight loss potential and must be abandoned.

Probiotics for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: A review of randomized controlled trials.

With the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), there is increased interest in probiotic supplementation for improving glycaemic control. This review evaluates nine randomized controlled trials that tested the effects of probiotics on glycaemic outcomes including fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, haemoglobin A1c, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance among adults with T2DM. Based on the evidence reviewed, multistrain probiotics that contain seven million to 100 billion colony forming units of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and/or Bifidobacterium lactis administered for 6 to 12 weeks may be efficacious for improving glycaemic control in adults with T2DM. Further research is needed to understand the role of the gut microbiota and the probiotic dose, medium, and duration of exposure that is most effective for disease management.

Postoperative outcomes in bariatric surgical patients participating in an insurance-mandated preoperative weight management program.

BACKGROUND: Many insurance companies require patient participation in a medically supervised weight management program (WMP) before offering approval for bariatric surgery. Clinical data surrounding benefits of participation are limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between preoperative insurance-mandated WMP participation and postoperative outcomes in bariatric surgery patients. SETTING: Regional referral center and teaching hospital. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent vertical sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass between January 2014 and January 2016 was performed. Patients (N = 354) were divided into 2 cohorts and analyzed according to presence (n = 266) or absence (n = 88) of an insurance-mandated WMP requirement. Primary endpoints included rate of follow-up and percent of excess weight loss (%EWL) at postoperative months 1, 3, 6, and 12. All patients, regardless of the insurance-mandated WMP requirement, followed a program-directed preoperative diet. RESULTS: The majority of patients with an insurance-mandated WMP requirement had private insurance (63.9%). Both patient groups experienced a similar proportion of readmissions and reoperations, rate of follow-up, and %EWL at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (P = NS). Median operative duration and hospital length of stay were also similar between groups. Linear regression analysis revealed no significant improvement in %EWL at 12 months in the yes-WMP group. CONCLUSION: These data show that patients who participate in an insurance-mandated WMP in addition to completing a program-directed preoperative diet experience no significant benefit to rate of readmission, reoperation, follow-up, or %EWL up to 12 months postoperation. Our findings suggest that undergoing bariatric surgery without completing an insurance-mandated WMP is safe and effective.

Short-Term Preoperative Weight Loss and Postoperative Outcomes in Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative weight loss is often encouraged before undergoing weight loss surgery. Controversy remains as to its effect on postoperative outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine what impact short-term preoperative excess weight loss (EWL) has on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing primary vertical sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). STUDY DESIGN: All patients who underwent SG (n = 167) or RYGB (n = 188) between 2014 and 2016 and who completed our program-recommended low calorie diet (LCD) for 4 weeks immediately preceding surgery were included. These patients (N = 355) were then divided into 2 cohorts and analyzed according to those who achieved ≥8% EWL (n = 224) during the 4-week LCD period and those who did not (n = 131). Primary endpoints included percent excess weight loss (% EWL) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients achieving ≥8% EWL preoperatively experienced a greater % EWL at postoperative month 3 (42.3 ± 13.2% vs 36.1 ± 10.9%, p < 0.001), month 6 (56.0 ± 18.1% vs 47.5 ± 14.1%, p < 0.001), and month 12 (65.1 ± 23.3% vs 55.7 ± 22.2%, p = 0.003). Median operative duration (117 minutes vs 125 minutes; p = 0.061) and mean hospital length of stay (1.8 days vs 2.1 days; p = 0.006) were also less in patients achieving ≥8% EWL. No significant differences in follow-up, readmission, or reoperation rates were seen. Linear regression analysis revealed that patients who achieved ≥8% EWL during the 4-week LCD lost 7.5% more excess weight at postoperative month 12. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these data, preoperative weight loss of ≥8% excess weight, while following a 4-week LCD, is associated with a significantly greater rate of postoperative EWL over 1 year, as well as shorter operative duration and hospital length of stay.

Predictors of preoperative weight loss achievement in adult bariatric surgery candidates while following a low-calorie diet for 4 weeks.

BACKGROUND: Achieving program-mandated preoperative weight loss poses a challenge for many bariatric surgery candidates. No systematic method exists to identify at-risk patients early in preoperative care. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to explore predictors of preoperative weight loss achievement and to develop a treatment algorithm for guiding clinical decision-making. SETTING: Greenville Health System, South Carolina. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted for 378 patients who followed a program-mandated low-calorie diet (LCD) for 4 weeks to achieve≥8% excess weight loss (EWL). Associations between weight loss achievement and patient demographic, nutrition, psychological, clinical, anthropometric, and treatment characteristics documented at 5 preoperative evaluation events were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: During the LCD, 62.7% of patients achieved≥8% EWL. Independent predictors of achievement (all P<.05) were male sex (OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.21-4.42), Caucasian race (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.38-4.34), body mass index (BMI) at surgeon evaluation (50.0-59.9 kg/m2: OR .44, 95% CI .20-.97;≥60 kg/m2: OR .15, 95% CI .05-.42), number of co-morbidities (OR .83, 95% CI .74-.93), hypertension diagnosis (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.42-4.13), prediet weight change (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.16), and time between surgeon evaluation and preoperative LCD initiation (61-90 d: OR .46, 95% CI .23-.93). CONCLUSION: Patients of female sex or non-Caucasian race; with a BMI≥50 kg/m2, many co-morbidities, or no hypertension diagnosis at surgeon evaluation; who demonstrate prediet weight loss or extended wait time between surgeon evaluation and preoperative LCD initiation may be at risk for preoperative weight loss failure and may require preemptive diet modification to improve outcomes.

Malnutrition-induced Wernicke's encephalopathy following a water-only fasting diet.

BACKGROUND: Wernicke's encephalopathy is a critical condition of neurological dysfunction resulting from a deficiency in thiamine. Chronic alcoholism is recognized as the most common cause of Wernicke's encephalopathy, but other causes, including fasting/starvation and malnutrition, have been documented within the scientific literature. These causes may not be readily recognized by healthcare professionals and may lead to Wernicke's encephalopathy being overlooked as a diagnosis when a nonalcoholic patient presents with classic signs and symptoms of the disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A narrative review of thiamine and its relationship to the development, diagnosis, and treatment of Wernicke's encephalopathy is presented based on a review of evidence-based guidelines and published research. To heighten awareness of the development of Wernicke's encephalopathy in fasted/starved and malnourished patients and to contribute to the scientific body of knowledge for the identification and management of Wernicke's encephalopathy in these patients, the clinical course and treatment of an adult woman who developed Wernicke's encephalopathy following a 40-day water-only fasting diet is outlined. RESULTS: Clinical suspicion was required to identify the patient's condition and initiate immediate intervention through parenteral thiamine administration. Oral thiamine supplementation of 100 to 800 mg per day for 6 months was required to aid recovery. OUTCOMES: The patient's clinical course and response to treatment illustrate the necessity for clinical awareness and suspicion of Wernicke's encephalopathy among healthcare professionals, timely and adequate parenteral thiamine administration, and oral thiamine supplementation at therapeutic doses to correct the nutrient deficiency, halt the progression of Wernicke's encephalopathy, and promote recovery.