The range of outcomes and outcome measurement instruments collected in multisectoral community-based obesity prevention interventions in children: A systematic review.

Multicomponent and multisectoral community-based interventions (CBIs) have proven potential in preventing overweight and obesity in children. Synthesizing evidence on the outcomes collected and reported in such CBIs is critical for the evidence of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. This systematic review aimed to identify the range of outcomes and outcome measurement instruments collected and reported in multisectoral and multicomponent CBIs for obesity prevention in children. A systematic search updated an existing review and extended the search to 11 academic databases (2017-2023) and gray literature. Outcomes were classified into outcome domains, and common measurement instruments were summarized. Seventeen outcome domains from 140 unique outcomes were identified from 45 included interventions reported in 120 studies. The most frequently collected outcome domains included anthropometry and body composition (91% of included interventions), physical activity (84%), dietary intake (71%), environmental (71%), and sedentary behavior (62%). The most frequently collected outcomes from each of these domains included body mass index (89%), physical activity (73%), fruit and vegetable intake (58%), school environment (42%), and screen time (58%). Outcome measurement instruments varied, particularly for behavioral outcomes. Standardization of reported outcomes and measurement instruments is recommended to facilitate data harmonization and support quantifying broader benefits of CBIs for obesity prevention.

Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists in Patients With Inflammatory Arthritis or Psoriasis: A Scoping Review.

ABSTRACT: Obesity is a proinflammatory state associated with increased disease severity in various types of inflammatory arthritis. Weight loss is associated with improved disease activity in certain forms of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We conducted a scoping review summarizing the literature evaluating the effect of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists on weight and disease activity in patients with inflammatory arthritis or psoriasis. MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched for publications evaluating the role of GLP-1 analogs in RA, PsA, psoriasis, axial spondyloarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, gout, and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease. Nineteen studies were included: 1 gout study, 5 RA studies (3 basic science, 1 case report, and 1 longitudinal cohort), and 13 psoriasis studies (2 basic science, 4 case reports, 2 combined basic science/clinical studies, 3 longitudinal cohorts, and 2 randomized controlled trials). No psoriasis study reported on PsA outcomes. Basic science experiments demonstrated weight-independent immunomodulatory effects of GLP-1 analogs through inhibition of the NF-κB pathway (via AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in psoriasis and prevention of IκBα phosphorylation in RA). In RA, improved disease activity was reported. In psoriasis, 4 of 5 clinical studies demonstrated significant improvements in Psoriasis Area Severity Index and weight/body mass index with no major adverse events. Common limitations included small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, and lack of control groups. GLP-1 analogs safely cause weight loss and have potential weight-independent anti-inflammatory effects. Their role as an adjunct in patients with inflammatory arthritis and obesity or diabetes is understudied, warranting future research.

Rheumatology health care providers' views and practices on obesity and smoking cessation management in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess rheumatology health care providers' (HCPs) knowledge, beliefs, self-efficacy, practices, and perceived barriers pertaining to weight management and smoking cessation counselling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHOD: We administered an online survey to collect self-reported data on rheumatology HCPs' knowledge, beliefs, self-efficacy, perceived barriers, and practices related to weight management and smoking cessation counselling. Participants were recruited through invitation emails (with anonymous survey links) sent by three Canadian rheumatology organizations. RESULTS: Fifty-nine rheumatology HCPs (15 nurses, 44 physicians) completed the survey (response rate: 11%). Over 85% correctly identified associations between obesity, or smoking, and more severe or active RA, as well as poorer response to treatment. All but one participant agreed that it was part of their responsibility to discuss these issues with patients, but 78% (46/59) felt not or slightly confident in their ability to help patients quit smoking or achieve clinically significant weight loss. The majority did not routinely assist patients in accessing appropriate resources or providers (only 42% did for obesity, 36% for smoking), send referrals (2-44%, depending on referral), or offer relevant educational materials (15% for obesity, 20% for smoking). Common barriers included competing demands and lack of time, training, access to expertise, and knowledge of available programs. CONCLUSION: Most rheumatology HCPs understood the implications of cigarette smoking and obesity in RA and accepted responsibility in addressing these issues. However, they lacked the time, training, confidence, and knowledge of local resources to do so effectively. There is a need to bridge this gap. Key Points • Training through medical and nursing school as well as residency on weight management and smoking cessation counselling was nearly unanimously described as poor or fair. • Most rheumatology health care providers understood the implications of cigarette smoking and obesity in rheumatoid arthritis and accepted responsibility in addressing these issues; however, they lacked the time, training, confidence, and knowledge of local resources to do so effectively. • There is a need to bridge the gap between health care providers' intentions and actions, and this may include the development of guides outlining local weight management and smoking cessation expertise, programs, referral processes, and educational materials.

System outcomes associated with a pediatric emergency department clinical decision unit.

OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to describe disposition decisions and emergency department return (EDR) rates following a clinical decision unit (CDU) stay; and to determine changes to short stay (<48 hour) hospitalization rates after CDU implementation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of pediatric emergency department (PED) visits with a CDU stay from January 1 to December 31, 2015. Health records data were extracted onto standardized online forms, then used to determine disposition and 7-day EDR rates. Two trained investigators blindly reviewed EDR visits to determine if they were related to the index CDU stay. We compared short stay inpatient admission rates (i.e., hospital length of stay <48 hours) in 2013 and 2015, before and after CDU implementation. RESULTS: Of 1696 index CDU stays, 1503 (89%) were discharged, and 139 discharged patients (9.2%) had ≥1 clinically-related EDR. Median (IQR) CDU length of stay (LOS) was 4.4 hours (2.7-7.8) and total PED LOS (including CDU) was 7.8 hours (5.4-12.0). Asthma represented 31% of cases. Short stay hospitalization rate decreased from 3.62% in 2013 to 3.23% in 2015 (difference=0.39%; 95% CI=0.15-0.63; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most CDU patients were discharged, but 9% had a clinically-related ED revisit. CDU implementation was associated with a small but significant reduction in short stay hospitalization.

Effects of inhaled bronchodilators on lung function and cycling performance in female athletes with and without exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

OBJECTIVES: Inhaled ß2-agonists may cause differential effects on lung function and athletic performance in female compared to male athletes. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of inhaled ß2-agonists on lung function and cycling performance between female athletes with and without exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and with previously published data on men. DESIGN: Double-blind crossover randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Twenty-one female athletes (6 with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and 15 without exercise-induced bronchoconstriction) performed a simulated 10-km time-trial on a cycle ergometer 60 min after the inhalation of either 400 µg of salbutamol or placebo. Forced expiratory volume in 1s, was measured immediately before and 30 min after inhalation. Performance was measured by mean power output over the duration of the time trial. RESULTS: After salbutamol inhalation, Forced expiratory volume in 1s improved significantly in athletes with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (M (SD) = 6.1% (47.6)) and athletes without exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (4.0% (3.1); p ≤ 0.02). Mean power output was significantly decreased after salbutamol use (204 W (21)) compared to placebo (208 W (17); p = 0.047), regardless of airway hyperresponsiveness. Relative to placebo, salbutamol significantly increased mean oxygen consumption (46.9 mL kg(-1)min(-1) (5.9) vs. 44.8 mL kg(-1)min(-1) (4.0); p = 0.049) and significantly decreased cycling economy (72.8 W L(-1)min(-1) (6.8) vs. 76.4 W L(-1)min(-1) (4.3); p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The inhalation of salbutamol induced a significant increase in lung function in female athletes, but this increased lung function did not translate to improved exercise performance.