Red cell distribution width is a novel biomarker that predicts excess body-mass index loss 1 year after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery is the most effective method for producing sustained weight loss, improving obesity-associated comorbidities and reducing inflammation in the morbidly obese population. The red cell distribution width (RDW) is a novel marker of inflammation that is usually reported as part of a complete blood count. In this study, we tested our hypothesis that red cell distribution width might represent a novel biomarker predictive of excess body-mass index loss (EBMIL) following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). METHODS: Five hundred and forty-seven LRYGB patients included from a single institution were individually reviewed, noting both preoperative RDW and percent excess BMI loss at 6 months and 1 year post-LRYGB (%EBMIL180 and %EBMIL365, respectively). Bivariate and multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted between age, gender, initial body-mass index (BMI0) and RDW and each of the two endpoints, to assess the independence of RDW as a predictor of postoperative success. RESULTS: The median RDW was 13.9 (13.3-14.6) %, and median EBMIL180 and EBMIL365 were 55.4 (45.2-66.7) % and 71.3 (58.9-87.8) %, respectively. After controlling for age, gender and BMI0, RDW was associated with %EBMIL365 (B = -1.4 [-2.8 to -0.002] %, P = .05), but not %EBMIL180 (B = -0.6 [-1.6 to 0.5] %, P = .30. Upon Kruskal-Wallis analysis, patients with a preoperative RDW > 15.0 % had significantly lower %EBMIL than those in the <13.0 % (P < .001) and 13.0-15.0 % (P < .01) strata. CONCLUSIONS: RDW is predictive of EBMIL at 1 year following LRYGB. This represents a novel preoperative biomarker that may provide clinically useful prognostic information.

Assessing quality of life in clinical research.

In clinical research the objective has increasingly become to improve an individual's quality of life (QOL). That is, increasing both the direct as well as the indirect aspects of an individual's life. Simple, reliable measurement techniques for QOL with well-established theoretical foundations are warranted, despite the difficulty in measuring QOL. Such measurement techniques will not only provide accurate measurement of QOL, but allow for broad comparisons. This paper aims to introduce and explain the three most widely used techniques for assessing QOL: the Visual Analog Scale, the Standard Gamble, and the Time Tradeoff technique. We will discuss the background and interpretation of these methods. In addition, we measure the QOL of severe carpal tunnel syndrome using the various techniques and contrast the results. An increased understanding of how QOL is measured and used in health and medicine will aid clinicians and clinical researchers. Furthermore, utilizing QOL as the outcome of interest may allow researchers to perform more powerful studies.

Factors Influencing Primary Care Physicians' Referral for Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bariatric surgery has been shown to be an effective weight loss treatment for the morbidly obese, but some primary care physicians remain hesitant about postoperative treatment and management of patients who have undergone the surgery and recommend it to their obese patients infrequently. The purpose of this study was to evaluate perceptions of primary care physicians of the role of bariatric surgery in the management of obese patients and to identify possible barriers to treatment. METHODS: A survey of PCPs within our institution was conducted to determine attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding the treatment of morbidly obese patients,with a specific focus on identifying factors that influence referral patterns for bariatric surgery. RESULTS: Among 161 eligible PCPs, 57 (35.4%) responded. Most respondents (59%) reported that at least 1 in 4 of their patients had a BMI 35 kg/m2. Although 39% thought that diet and exercise were an effective means of sustained weight loss, only 12% were satisfied with prescribing nonsurgical interventions. Sixty-three percent agreed that bariatric surgery is generally effective in the long term. All respondents were aware of the commonly established benefits, including improvement of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. In addition, 65% were familiar with the indications for bariatric surgery, and 70% felt comfortable discussing it with patients as a treatment option. Fewer than half of the respondents felt confident in providing postoperative management. Cost was a perceived limitation, with 53%reporting that most of their patients could not afford bariatric surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The general attitude of PCPs toward bariatric surgery is supportive. Physicians are largely aware of the indications and benefits; however, far fewer are comfortable in management of patients after surgery. A lack of supplemental information and concerns regarding the cost of surgery can impede treatment and referrals.

Epidemiologic associations of carpal tunnel syndrome and sleep position: Is there a case for causation?

INTRODUCTION: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is thought to be due to compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. It is known that carpal tunnel pressures are elevated in wrist postures of flexion and extension and in those patients with CTS. Classic symptoms of CTS include night waking with pain, tingling, and numbness. These classic symptoms stimulated our interest in the relationship of sleep to the development of CTS. METHOD: We reviewed the literature surrounding the epidemiology of CTS and the literature regarding sleep disturbances. Through careful distillation of these studies and a process of reasoning, we have developed a hypothesis for a causal mechanism of CTS. RESULTS: Epidemiologically, it has been shown that CTS is associated with age, gender, increased body mass index (BMI), diabetes, pregnancy, and is more common in some populations. The same associations noted above for CTS are strongly associated with sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbances due to age, gender, BMI, pregnancy, and population variations are all associated with sleeping in the lateral position supporting the hypothesis that a common causative mechanism of CTS is sleeping in a lateral position. DISCUSSION: We believe that the epidemiologic associations with CTS act through a common causative mechanism, increased sleeping in the lateral position which puts the wrist at increased risk of flexion or extension, compressing the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. This hypothesis is simple and explains the connection between a previously unconnected group of epidemiologic associations. This realization has real clinical significance in that it focuses our attention on the early disorder when it is completely reversible. It clarifies previously confused clinical circumstances, creates research questions that can be tested, and it invites us to change our clinical perspective in this most common form of nerve compression.