Long-term efficacy and safety of canagliflozin over 104 weeks in patients aged 55-80 years with type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: The long-term efficacy and safety of canagliflozin, a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, was evaluated over 104 weeks in patients aged 55-80 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) inadequately controlled on a stable antihyperglycaemic agent regimen. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, phase III study, patients received canagliflozin 100 or 300 mg or placebo once daily during a 26-week core period (N = 714) and a 78-week extension period (n = 624). Efficacy endpoints at week 104 included change from baseline in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and systolic blood pressure, and percent change from baseline in body weight and fasting plasma lipids. Safety was assessed by adverse event (AE) reports. RESULTS: At week 104, canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg were associated with reductions in HbA1c versus placebo (-0.32 and -0.43% vs 0.17%, respectively; overall mean baseline, 7.7%) and more patients achieved HbA1c <7.0% with canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg than with placebo (35.8 and 41.9% vs 20.3%, respectively). Reductions in FPG, body weight and systolic blood pressure, and increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were seen with canagliflozin compared with placebo. The overall incidence rates of AEs over 104 weeks were 88.0, 89.8 and 86.1% with canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg and placebo, respectively; serious AE rates were low across treatment groups. The incidence rates of urinary tract infections, genital mycotic infections and osmotic diuresis- and volume depletion-related AEs were higher with canagliflozin than with placebo. CONCLUSION: Canagliflozin improved glycaemic control, reduced body weight and systolic blood pressure, and was generally well tolerated in patients aged 55-80 years with T2DM over 104 weeks.

Efficacy and safety of canagliflozin monotherapy in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with diet and exercise.

AIMS: Canagliflozin is a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor in development for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The efficacy and safety of canagliflozin were evaluated in subjects with T2DM inadequately controlled with diet and exercise. METHODS: In this 26-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, subjects (N = 584) received canagliflozin 100 or 300 mg or placebo once daily. Primary endpoint was the change from baseline in haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at week 26. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of subjects achieving HbA1c < 7.0%; change from baseline in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h postprandial glucose (PPG) and systolic blood pressure (BP); and percent change in body weight, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded throughout the study. RESULTS: At week 26, HbA1c was significantly reduced from baseline with canagliflozin 100 and 300 mg compared with placebo (-0.77, -1.03 and 0.14%, respectively; p < 0.001 for both). Both canagliflozin doses significantly decreased FPG, 2-h PPG, body weight and systolic BP (p < 0.001 for all), and increased HDL-C compared with placebo (p < 0.01 for both). Overall incidences of AEs were modestly higher with canagliflozin versus placebo; rates of serious AEs and AE-related discontinuations were low and similar across groups. Incidences of genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infections and osmotic diuresis-related AEs were higher with canagliflozin; these led to few discontinuations. The incidence of hypoglycaemia was low across groups. CONCLUSION: Canagliflozin treatment improved glycaemic control, reduced body weight and was generally well tolerated in subjects with T2DM inadequately controlled with diet and exercise.

Self-reported sleep apnoea and mortality in patients from the Swedish Obese Subjects study.

Sleep apnoea is associated with increased mortality in sleep clinic and community population groups. It is unclear whether a clinical report of sleep apnoea results in additional mortality risk in patients with severe obesity. The Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study is a nonrandomised controlled trial of bariatric surgery versus conventional treatment for the treatment of severe obesity and its complications (mean ± SD body mass index 41 ± 5 kg · m(-2)). The presence or absence of sleep apnoea (witnessed pauses in breathing) was determined by self-reporting at baseline in 3,953 patients who were observed for 54,236 person-yrs (mean 13.5 maximum 21.0 yrs). Sleep apnoea was reported by 934 (23.6%) patients at baseline and was a significant univariate predictor of mortality (hazard ratio (95% CI) 1.74 (1.40-2.18)). In a range of multivariate models of mortality risk, controlling for ≤ 16 other potential confounders and established mortality risk factors, sleep apnoea remained a significant prognostic factor (fully adjusted model 1.29 (1.01-1.65)). Self-reported sleep apnoea is an independent prognostic marker of all-cause mortality in obese patients.

Central nervous system lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2-synthase is correlated with orexigenic neuropeptides, visceral adiposity and markers of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in obese humans.

Lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2-synthase (L-PGDS) is the main producer of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) in the central nervous system (CNS). Animal data suggest effects of central nervous L-PGDS in the regulation of food intake and obesity. No human data are available. We hypothesised that a role for CNS L-PGDS in metabolic function in humans would be reflected by correlations with known orexigenic neuropeptides. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples were retrieved from 26 subjects in a weight loss study, comprising a 3-week dietary lead-in followed by 12-weeks of leptin or placebo treatment. At baseline, CSF L-PGDS was positively correlated with neuropeptide Y (NPY) (ρ = 0.695, P < 0.001, n = 26) and galanin (ρ = 0.651, P < 0.001) as well as visceral adipose tissue (ρ = 0.415, P = 0.035). Furthermore, CSF L-PGDS was inversely correlated with CSF leptin (ρ = -0.529, P = 0.005) and tended to correlate inversely with s.c. adipose tissue (ρ = -0.346, P = 0.084). As reported earlier, leptin treatment had no effect on weight loss and did not affect CSF L-PGDS or NPY levels compared to placebo. After weight loss, the change of CSF L-PGDS was significantly correlated with the change of CSF NPY levels (ρ = 0.604, P = 0.004, n = 21). Because of the correlation between baseline CSF L-PGDS levels and visceral adipose tissue, we examined associations with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis components. Baseline CSF L-PGDS was correlated with corticotrophin-releasing hormone (ρ = 0.764, P < 0.001) and ß-endorphin (ρ = 0.491, P < 0.001). By contrast, serum L-PGDS was not correlated with any of the measured variables either at baseline or after treatment. In summary, CSF L-PGDS was correlated with orexigenic neuropeptides, visceral fat distribution and central HPA axis mediators. The importance of these findings is unclear but could suggest a role for CSF L-PGDS in the regulation of visceral obesity by interaction with the neuroendocrine circuits regulating appetite and fat distribution. Further interventional studies will be needed to characterise these interactions in more detail.

Topiramate in the treatment of obese subjects with drug-naive type 2 diabetes.

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of topiramate as an adjunct to diet and exercise in drug-naive, obese subjects with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Drug-naive individuals with type 2 diabetes, body mass index (BMI) of > or =27 and <50 kg/m(2) and haemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) of <10.5% were enrolled into the study. All the individuals participated in a non-pharmacologic weight loss program (Pathways to Change((R)); Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Systems, Piscataway, NJ, USA) throughout the trial. After a 6-week placebo run-in, the subjects were randomized to placebo, topiramate 96 mg/day or topiramate 192 mg/day. Subjects were scheduled for 8-week titration and 52-week maintenance phases. The study was ended early; efficacy data were reported for a predefined modified intent-to-treat (MITT) population (n = 229), with 40 weeks of treatment. All the subjects who provided any safety data were included in the safety population (n = 535). RESULTS: Baseline mean weight was 103.7 kg, BMI 36 kg/m(2) and HbA(1c) 6.7% across all treatment groups. By the end of week 40, the placebo, the topiramate 96 mg/day and topiramate 192 mg/day groups lost 2.5, 6.6 and 9.1% of their baseline body weight respectively (p < 0.001 vs. placebo, MITT population using last observation carried forward). The decrease in HbA(1c) was 0.2, 0.6 and 0.7% respectively (p < 0.001 vs. placebo, MITT). Topiramate significantly reduced blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion; a weight-loss-independent HbA(1c) improving effect of topiramate was demonstrated. Adverse events were predominantly related to central nervous system (CNS). CONCLUSIONS: Topiramate as an add-on treatment to lifestyle improvements produced significant weight loss and improved glucose homeostasis in obese, drug-naive subjects with type 2 diabetes. These treatment advantages should be balanced against the occurrence of adverse events in the CNS.

Effect of three treatment schedules of recombinant methionyl human leptin on body weight in obese adults: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on body weight and safety of subcutaneously administered recombinant leptin in obese adults and to evaluate whether the timing of recombinant leptin administration influences efficacy. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study was designed, comprising of a 3-week dietary lead-in followed by a 12-week leptin or placebo treatment period. A total of 284 overweight and obese (body mass index 27-37.0 kg/m(2)) predominantly white (98%) women (66%) and men (34%) with a mean (+/-s.d.) 46.8+/-10.4 years of age were randomized into three treatment groups with three matching placebo groups. Recombinant leptin was administered by subcutaneous injection [10 mg/morning, 10 mg/evening or 20 mg/day (10 mg twice daily)]. Patients were counselled at baseline to reduce dietary intake by 2,100 kJ/day (500 kcal/day), and dietary advice was reinforced every 2-4 weeks. RESULTS: No statistically significant change in body weight occurred with recombinant leptin treatment compared with placebo treatment in any treatment group. No clinically significant adverse effects were observed with the exception of an increase in injection-site reactions in patients treated with recombinant leptin (83%) vs. placebo (36%). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of recombinant leptin to an overweight and obese population, in addition to a mildly energy-restricted diet, was not efficacious in terms of weight loss at the doses and schedules studied. The hypothesis that nocturnal administration of recombinant leptin might have a specific effect on weight loss was not supported.

Relief of cardiorespiratory symptoms and increased physical activity after surgically induced weight loss: results from the Swedish Obese Subjects study.

BACKGROUND: Obese people frequently suffer from shortness of breath and chest discomfort on exertion, and they often have a sedentary lifestyle. In the present study of patients with severe obesity, we investigated the effects of surgically induced weight loss on cardiorespiratory symptoms and leisure-time physical activity. METHODS: The Swedish Obese Subjects study is an ongoing intervention trial of obesity consisting of 1 surgically treated group and 1 matched control group. Information on smoking habits, hypertension, diabetes, and sleep apnea was obtained from 1210 surgical cases and 1099 controls who were observed for 2 years. Patients were also asked about symptoms of breathlessness and chest pain and their levels of leisure-time physical activity. RESULTS: The surgically treated group displayed a mean weight loss of 28 kg (23%) compared with the control group in which the average weight remained unchanged (P<.001). The rates of hypertension, diabetes, and apneas during sleep decreased in surgical cases compared with controls (P<.001), while smoking habits remained largely the same. The surgical group also displayed highly significant improvements in dyspnea and chest pain and increases in physical activity compared with the control group (P<.001). The odds ratio for self-reported breathlessness, chest discomfort, or sedentary behavior after 2 years decreased progressively with the degree of weight loss. Furthermore, patients who recovered from apneas during sleep reduced their odds of having dyspnea and chest discomfort at follow-up, independent of changes in weight. CONCLUSIONS: Surgically induced weight loss in patients with severe obesity is associated with a marked relief in symptoms of dyspnea and chest pain and promotes increased leisure-time physical activity. Sleep-disordered breathing may be involved in the pathophysiology of breathlessness and chest discomfort in obese subjects.

A low serum leptin level at baseline and a large early decline in leptin predict a large 1-year weight reduction in energy-restricted obese humans.

The difficulty in maintaining weight loss during obesity treatment may be caused by a counteracting neuroendocrine response. It has been proposed that leptin could be a regulator of this response. We examined the relations between leptin levels during an initial very low calorie diet, other simultaneous endocrine changes, and the 1-yr weight reduction. Sixty-nine obese (24 men and 45 women) were treated with very low calorie diet for 16 weeks, followed by a hypocaloric diet for 32 weeks. Serum levels of leptin, insulin, cortisol, and thyroid hormones were measured at weeks 0, 8, and 18. The relative weight reductions after 18 and 48 weeks were 20.1% and 14.4% in men and 15.4% and 11.8% in women. Low initial leptin levels and large declines in serum leptin were associated with a large 1-yr weight loss in both genders. Leptin levels (baseline or changes) were not independently associated with the changes in insulin, cortisol, or thyroid hormones. Our results may indicate that leptin by itself could be of minor importance for the neuroendocrine response to severe caloric restriction in humans.

Body weight and body composition changes after treatment of hyperthyroidism.

Body composition changes in nine adults with hyperthyroidism were determined with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography at diagnosis and after 3 and 12 months of euthyroidism achieved by surgery, antithyroid drugs, or treatment with radioiodine. Mean body weight was 67.6 kg at diagnosis and increased 2.7 kg (P=0.06) and 8.7 kg (P < 0.001) after 3 and 12 months of euthyroidism, respectively. Basal metabolic rate decreased from 2087 Cal/24 h at diagnosis to 1601 Cal/24 h at 12 months (P=0.001), whereas reported energy intake dropped from 3244 to 2436 Cal/24 h (P=0.01). According to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, body fat was unchanged at 3 months, but increased by 5.3 kg (P < 0.0001) at 12 months. Fat-free mass increased 2.7 kg (P=0.003) at 3 months and 3.5 kg (P < 0.0001) at 12 months. Changes in bone mineral content and density did not reach significance. According to computed tomography, skeletal muscle plus skin areas increased by 11% (trunk) and 18% (thigh) at 3 months and by 17% (trunk) and 25% (thigh) at 12 months. There was no increase in sc adipose tissue (AT) at 3 months, but at 12 months this AT depot increased by 15% (thigh) and 33% (trunk). Intraperitoneal AT showed a borderline significant increase by 28% (P=0.08) at 3 months and by 40% (P=0.015) at 12 months. Areas of visceral organs and bone tissue of femur did not change significantly during the study. It is concluded that during early recovery from hyperthyroidism, priority is given to the replenishment of skeletal muscles and ip AT, whereas sc AT is increased at a later stage.

Familial predisposition for obesity may modify the predictive value of serum leptin concentrations for long-term weight change in obese women.

Leptin is believed to play a role in regulating food intake and body weight. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of parental history of obesity on the association between baseline serum leptin concentrations and subsequent 4-y weight changes. Changes in food intake were also considered in the analysis. Middle-aged, obese women with no obese parent (n = 25) or at least one obese parent (n = 24) were included in the analysis. At baseline, women with no parental history of obesity and women with a parental history of obesity did not differ in body mass index (in kg/m2: 41.2 and 40.2, respectively) or median leptin concentrations (40.8 and 38.8 microg/L, respectively). Four-year weight changes varied widely in both groups combined (from -30 to 24 kg). Stratified regression analysis, adjusted for age, weight, and height, revealed that high leptin concentrations predicted less weight gain (or more weight loss) in women with no obese parent (beta = -21.2, P = 0.0006) but played no significant role in predicting weight gain in women with at least one obese parent (beta = -3.8, P = 0.41). Adding changes in energy and fat intakes to the model reduced the association between leptin and weight change to nonsignificance in the women with no obese parent, indicating that the effect of leptin could be explained largely by dietary changes. In conclusion, serum leptin concentrations predict long-term weight change in obese women with no history of parental obesity, an association largely mediated by changes in food intake.

Effects of growth hormone treatment on the leptin system and on energy expenditure in abdominally obese men.

The present study has examined the short- and long-term effects of growth hormone (GH) treatment on the leptin system and energy expenditure. Thirty male individuals with abdominal obesity were randomised to GH or placebo treatment in a 9-month, double-blind study. The dose of GH was 9.5 microg/kg, administered subcutaneously every evening. Serum leptin concentrations were measured by a human leptin RIA. Total RNA was isolated from adipose tissue biopsies and leptin mRNA levels were determined by a semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR assay. Body composition was determined by potassium-40 and the basal metabolic rate (BMR) was measured by a computerised, ventilated, open-hood system. As compared with placebo, an overall decrease in serum leptin concentrations as assessed by the area under the curve (AUC) (P < 0.05) and an increase in BMR (AUC, P < 0.05) were observed during GH treatment. The overall GH-induced changes were due to marked changes in serum leptin concentrations and BMR after 6 weeks of treatment. After 9 months of GH treatment there was a significant reduction in body fat (BF) while serum leptin concentrations and BMR did not differ from baseline values. Leptin mRNA levels did not change over the study period. We speculate that long-term GH treatment induces a new energy balance steady state with decreased BF stores. The effects of GH on the leptin system is suggested to be of importance for the maintenance of a lower BF mass.

Diurnal variations in twenty-four-hour energy expenditure during growth hormone treatment of adults with pituitary deficiency.

The effects of growth hormone (GH) treatment on 24-h energy expenditure (EE) were studied in a open trial over a period of 4 weeks. Five subjects, four men and one woman, with a history of complete GH deficiency were included. All the subjects were examined on 2 consecutive days on baseline and, thereafter, at six occasions during a period of 1 month (days 1, 2, 5, 8, 15, and 30). The dose of GH was 0.25 U/kg.week, administered sc once a day in the evening. EE was determined in a chamber for indirect calorimetry. Body composition was determined with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography using a four-scan technique. Blood samples were examined using well-established RIAs. During the first 2 weeks, 24-h EE increased by 6 +/- 3% (range 1-8%) from 40.9 +/- 4.8 to 42.9 +/- 4.8 kcal/24 h.kg (P < 0.05), sleeping metabolic rate by 14 +/- 3% (range 10-18%) from 28.4 +/- 1.9 to 32.9 +/- 2.2 kcal/24h.kg (P < 0.001), and basal metabolic rate by 11 +/- 7% (range 0-18%) from 29.6 +/- 2.4 to 33.3 +/- 2.6 kcal/24h.kg (P < 0.05). No change was found in daytime EE. The increase in EE covaried with changes in insulin-like growth factor 1, the free T3/free T4 ratio, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3, and the aminoterminal procollagen III peptide but not with changes in body composition. It is suggested that the stimulating effect of GH on EE occurs gradually during a 2-week period and is only detectable during night and morning hours, when significant levels of GH occur.

Growth hormone treatment of abdominally obese men reduces abdominal fat mass, improves glucose and lipoprotein metabolism, and reduces diastolic blood pressure.

The most central findings in both GH deficiency in adults and the metabolic syndrome are abdominal/visceral obesity and insulin resistance. Abdominal obesity is associated with blunted GH secretion and low serum insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations. GH treatment in GH-deficient adults has demonstrated favorable effects on most of the features of GH deficiency in adults, but it is not known whether GH can improve some of the metabolic aberrations observed in abdominal/visceral obesity. Thirty men, 48-66 yr old, with abdominal/visceral obesity were treated with recombinant human GH (rhGH) in a 9-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The daily dose of rhGH was 9.5 micrograms/kg. Body fat was assessed from total body potassium, and abdominal sc and visceral adipose tissue was measured using computed tomography. The glucose disposal rate (GDR) was measured during an euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp. In response to the rhGH treatment, total body fat and abdominal sc and visceral adipose tissue decreased by 9.2 +/- 2.4%, 6.1 +/- 3.2%, and 18.1 +/- 7.6%, respectively. After an initial decrease in the GDR at 6 weeks, the GDR increased in the rhGH-treated group as compared with the placebo-treated one (P < 0.05). The mean serum concentrations of total cholesterol (P < 0.01) and triglyceride (P < 0.05) decreased, whereas blood glucose and serum insulin concentrations were unaffected by the rhGH treatment. Furthermore, diastolic blood pressure decreased and systolic blood pressure was unchanged in response to rhGH treatment. This trial has demonstrated that GH can favorably affect some of the multiple perturbations associated with abdominal/visceral obesity. This includes a reduction in abdominal/visceral obesity, an improved insulin sensitivity, and favorable effects on lipoprotein metabolism and diastolic blood pressure.

A natural transactivation mutation in the thyroid hormone beta receptor: impaired interaction with putative transcriptional mediators.

The syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone is characterized by elevated serum free thyroid hormones, failure to suppress pituitary thyrotropin secretion, and variable peripheral refractoriness to hormone action. Here we describe a novel leucine to valine mutation in codon 454 (L454V) of the thyroid hormone beta receptor (TR beta) in this disorder, resulting in a mutant receptor with unusual functional properties. Although the mutant protein binds ligand comparably to wild-type receptor and forms homo- and heterodimers on direct repeat, everted repeat, or palindromic thyroid response elements, its ability to activate transcription via these elements is markedly impaired. The hydrophobic leucine residue lies within an amphipathic alpha-helix at the carboxyl terminus of TR beta and the position of the homologous residue in the crystal structure of TR alpha indicates that its side chain is solvent-exposed and might interact with other proteins. We find that two putative transcriptional mediators (RIP140 and SRC-1) exhibit hormone-dependent association with wild-type TR. In comparison, the interaction of this natural mutant (L454V) and artificial mutants (L454A, E457A) with RIP140 and SRC-1 is markedly reduced. Furthermore, coexpression of SRC-1 is able to restore the transcriptional activity of the L454V mutant receptor, indicating that the interaction of this residue with accessory proteins is critical for transcriptional activation. Finally, the occurrence of the L454V mutation in resistance to thyroid hormone, together with impaired negative regulation of the thyroid-stimulating hormone alpha promoter by this mutant, suggests that the amphipathic alpha-helix also mediates hormone-dependent transcriptional inhibition, perhaps via interaction with these or other accessory factors.

Energy expenditure in obstructive sleep apnea: effects of treatment with continuous positive airway pressure.

We examined 24-h energy expenditure (EE) in a chamber for indirect calorimetry in five male patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and six snoring control subjects (snorers). The 24-h EE was remeasured in patients with OSA after 3-mo treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Patients with OSA had a greater degree of severe sleep-breathing disturbance than snorers. Patients with OSA had higher 24-h EE [39.2 +/- 3.0 vs. 33.9 +/- 2.7 kcal.24 h-1.kg fat-free mass (FFM)-1, P < 0.05], daytime urinary norepinephrine and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), and aminoterminal procollagen III peptide (PIIIp) levels, and they tended to have higher sleeping EE (32.4 +/- 4.1 vs. 26.3 +/- 1.9 kcal.24 h-1.kg FFM-1, P < 0.1) than snorers. CPAP treatment normalized sleep architecture and breathing. CPAP treatment also decreased sleep EE (from 32.4 +/- 4.1 to 27.2 +/- 1.4 kcal.24 h-1.kg FFM-1, P < 0.05) and EE variability during sleep (from 1.6 +/- 0.5 to 1.0 +/- 0.5 kcal.24 h-1.kg FFM-1, P < 0.05) and increased the basal metabolic rate-to-sleep EE ratio in all subjects. Serum PIIIp and plasma norepinephrine decreased after CPAP in all patients. We conclude that OSA is associated with an increased sleep EE, which is normalized by treatment with CPAP.

Impact of self-reported sleep-breathing disturbances on psychosocial performance in the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) Study.

Patients with severe obesity commonly have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In order to determine the impact of OSA on psychosocial morbidity in severe obesity, subjects enrolled in the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) Study were classified into two subgroups based on questionnaire data: one group with a high likelihood and one with a low likelihood of OSA. These groups were contrasted and multivariable analysis was used to examine whether OSA had independent effects on divorce rate, sick leave, work performance, income and self-estimated general health after adjustment for obesity, fat distribution, alcohol, smoking, medications and coexisting medical conditions. A high likelihood of OSA was identified in 338 men and 155 women, compared with 216 men and 481 women who had a low likelihood of OSA. Men with OSA were identical in age to men without OSA and had slightly higher levels of visceral fat (p = 0.01), but were similar in most psychosocial variables except self-perceived general health. Women with OSA were identical in age and visceral fat mass to women without OSA, but were characterized by a higher rate of impaired work performance, sick leave and divorce. When frequent sleepiness was used as an additional discriminator between OSA and non-OSA groups, marked differences in psychosocial morbidity were observed. Multivariable analysis revealed either OSA or frequent sleepiness or both to be independent predictors of amount of sick leave, worse self-rated general health, impaired work performance and divorce rate. Therefore OSA, measured by self report, is an important independent predictor of psychosocial morbidity in subjects with severe obesity.

Impact of obstructive sleep apnea and sleepiness on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors and health status in subjects with severe obesity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of epidemiological data. SUBJECTS: 3034 participants in the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) Cohort. Two sub-groups with a high and low likelihood for OSA based on questionnaire data were analysed in detail. MEASUREMENTS: General health questionnaires, anthropometric data including CT calibrated values for body fat distribution and lean body mass, blood pressure, fasting insulin, triglycerides, cholesterol, uric acid, glucose. RESULTS: Self-reported loud snoring and observed breathing pauses (high likelihood of OSA) was associated with increased frequency of WHO Grade 4 dyspnea, admissions to hospital with chest pain, myocardial infarction, blood pressure, fasting insulin, fasting triglyceride (women only), uric acid (women only) after adjustment for body fat distribution and other potential confounders. CONCLUSION: OSA may be another medical disorder which contributes to morbidity in severe obesity and is associated with some of the components of the metabolic syndrome observed in the centrally obese.

Effects of recombinant human growth hormone on basal metabolic rate in adults with pituitary deficiency.

The effect of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on basal metabolic rate (BMR) was studied in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial. Ten patients with a history of complete pituitary insufficiency were randomized for 26 weeks in each period. Three patients were excluded due to withdrawal, fever, and claustrophobia, respectively. All patients had received adrenal, thyroid, and gonadal substitution therapy for at least 1 year before the study. The dose of rhGH was 0.25 to 0.5 U/kg/wk, administered subcutaneously once a day in the evening. BMR was determined by indirect calorimetry in a computerized ventilated open-hood system. Body composition was examined using four different methods--computed tomography (CT), tritium dilution, 40K determinations, and total body nitrogen (TBN) measured with neutron activation. The body composition data have previously been reported. Fat-free mass (FFM) increased and body fat (BF) decreased during the first 6 weeks of rhGH treatment, but no further changes in body composition occurred between 6 and 26 weeks. Baseline BMRs in GH-deficient (GHD) patients were in the lower part of the reference range, but BMR and the ratio between BMR and FFM (BMR/FFM) were not significantly lower than in a carefully selected control group. BMR increased between 0 and 6 weeks (mean +/- SD: from 6.68 +/- 1.55 to 7.75 +/- 1.35 MJ/24 h, P < .001) and then remained unchanged between 6 and 26 weeks. The increase in BMR was closely related to the increase in FFM (r = .91, P < .01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Thyroid hormones, procollagen III peptide, body composition and basal metabolic rate in euthyroid individuals.

We examined 103 euthyroid men and women within a wide range of body weights and ages. Fat free mass (FFM) and body fat (BF) were determined with the total body potassium technique, basal metabolic rate (BMR) by indirect calorimetry and serum concentrations of thyroid hormones (free and total T3 and T4) and the aminoterminal propeptide of collagen III (pIIIp) by immunoassays. BMR was positively related to FFM, BF, total T3, the free T3/free T4 ratio and pIIIp, and negatively to free T4 (men) and to the ratios free T4/total T4 and free T3/total T3. pIIIp was as strongly related to BMR as to total T3. It is suggested that pIIIp may serve as an indicator of peripheral energy expenditure. The negative relationship between BMR and free T4 was unexpected and different to the situation in hypo- and hyperthyreosis where BMR and thyroid hormone are positively related. Our hypothesis is that euthyroid subjects with low serum free thyroid hormone concentrations and comparatively high BMR may have high intracellular thyroid hormone concentrations.