New approach to beta cell function screening by nitric oxide assessment of obese individuals at the population level

Background: Approximately 27% of Americans today are obese, and this condition increases the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. The UK Prospective Diabetes Study suggests that loss of beta cell function can begin at least 10 years before diagnosis, and mean beta cell function is already less than 50% at diagnosis. The aim of this research was to assess the possibility of detecting loss of beta cell function in obese patients by a novel approach involving nitric oxide assessment using a combination of technologies. Materials and methods: One hundred and fifteen obese patients (93 women, 22 men) of mean age 39 (range 17-62) years, who were candidates for bariatric surgery were included in the study, and underwent laboratory tests, including fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin plasma, and examination with the Electro Sensor complex. The Electro Sensor complex offers a new way to assess nitric oxide production using five technologies managed by software, ie, the galvanic skin response, photoelectrical plethysmography, heart rate variability analysis, bioimpedance analysis, and blood pressure oscillometric measurements. The homeostasis model assessment 2% beta cell function (HOMA2% β) algorithm was calculated from fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin plasma using free software provided by The University of Oxford Diabetes Trial Unit. The Electro Sensor complex percent beta (ESC% β) algorithm was calculated from the Electro Sensor complex data and statistical neural network. Statistical analysis was performed to correlate ESC% β and HOMA2% β using the coefficient of correlation and Spearman's coefficient of rank correlation. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were also constructed to determine the specificity and sensitivity of ESC% β in detecting a HOMA2% β value < 100. Results: The coefficient of correlation between ESC% β and HOMA2% β was 0.72 (using log values) and the Spearman's coefficient of rank correlation (rho) was 0.799 (P < 0.0001). ESC% β had a sensitivity of 77.14% and specificity of 78.21% (cutoff ≤ 157, corresponding to 40% after conversion into a 0%-100% scale) to detect a HOMA2% β value < 100 (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The ESC% β algorithm has a high predictive correlation with HOMA2% β, and good specificity and sensitivity to detect a HOMA2% β value < 100. Therefore, the Electro Sensor complex enabling nitric oxide assessment represents a novel method of screening for beta cell function in the obese population on a large scale. Such a tool, which is easy to administer, noninvasive, and cost-effective, would be of great benefit for widespread screening of beta cell function in obese patients. © 2012 Chaim and Gobato, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd

Splenic artery aneurysm associated with anatomic variations in origin

Splenic artery aneurysm was first described by Beaussier in 1770, and the first successful treatment was reported by McLeod in 1940. The splenic artery aneurysm is considered the most common splanchnic site for aneurysm formation, affecting 46 to 60% of patients with visceral aneurysms. Most patients are asymptomatic, and splenic artery aneurysm is often found during imaging investigation of other abdominal diseases. We describe an unusual case of a 31-year-old female patient with a large splenic artery aneurysm originating from the superior mesenteric artery.O aneurisma de artéria esplênica foi descrito pela primeira vez por Beaussier em 1770, e o primeiro tratamento bem-sucedido foi apresentado por McLeod em 1940. O aneurisma da artéria esplênica é considerado o mais comum do território esplâncnico, afetando 46 a 60% dos doentes com aneurismas viscerais. A maioria dos doentes é assintomática, e o achado do aneurisma de artéria esplênica costuma ser casual, durante a investigação de outra doença abdominal por imagem. Descrevemos o caso incomum de uma doente do sexo feminino, com 31 anos de idade, com um grande aneurisma de artéria esplênica que se originava da artéria mesentérica superior.17718

Influência do diabetes mellitus tipo 2 sobre a histologia hepática entre indivíduos com obesidade mórbida. Um estudo transversal

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a public health concern. It encompasses a wide spectrum of histological abnormalities and has close relationships with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study sought to compare the histological alterations observed in morbidly obese individuals with and without T2DM who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in a tertiary-level public hospital. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study on 197 individuals who underwent gastric bypass surgery between 2011 and 2013. NAFLD was assessed through liver biopsies. T2DM was diagnosed through the International Diabetes Federation criteria. RESULTS: Non-diabetics presented significantly more biopsies without any histological abnormalities, regarding steatosis (42.6% versus 25.5%; P = 0.0400), fibrosis (60.6% versus 36.2%; P = 0.0042) and steatohepatitis (27.3% versus 12.8%; P = 0.0495), while diabetics presented significantly higher frequency of moderate forms of steatosis (36.2% versus 20%; P = 0.0307) and fibrosis (23.4% versus 4%; P = 0.0002). DISCUSSION: T2DM was associated with more advanced forms of NAFLD within the population studied. NAFLD has previously been correlated with severe forms of heart disease. CONCLUSION: Screening for and early detecting of NAFLD in high-risk populations are important for avoiding further development of severe forms and the need for liver transplantation.CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A doença gordurosa não alcoólica do fígado se tornou um problema de saúde pública. Ela compreende um amplo espectro de alterações histológicas e se relaciona intimamente com a resistência insulínica e o diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Este estudo tem por objetivo comparar as alterações histológicas observadas em obesos mórbidos com e sem diabetes submetidos ao bypass gástrico em Y de Roux. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal em um hospital terciário público. MÉTODOS: Este é um estudo transversal que envolveu 197 indivíduos submetidos ao bypass gástrico entre 2011 e 2013. A doença gordurosa do fígado foi avaliada através de biópsia hepática. O diabetes mellitus tipo 2 foi diagnosticado através dos critérios da Federação Internacional de Diabetes. RESULTADOS: Indivíduos não diabéticos apresentaram significativamente mais biópsias sem anormalidades histológicas, em relação a esteatose (42,6% versus 25,5%; P = 0.04), fibrose (60,6% versus 36,2%; P = 0.0042) e esteato-hepatite (27,3% versus 12,8%; P = 0.0495); os diabéticos apresentaram uma frequência significativamente mais alta de formas moderadas de esteatose (36,2% versus 20%; P = 0.0307) e fibrose (23,4% versus 4%; P = 0.0002). DISCUSSÃO: O DM-2 associou-se a formas mais avançadas de doença gordurosa do fígado dentro da população estudada. A doença gordurosa não alcoólica do fígado foi associada previamente com formas graves de doença cardíaca. CONCLUSÃO: A busca e detecção precoce da doença gordurosa em populações de alto risco são importantes para evitar o futuro desenvolvimento de formas graves e a necessidade de transplante hepático.1341798

Psychological characteristics of patients submitted to bariatric surgery

INTRODUCTION: The great number of patients submitted bariatric surgery who have psychological and psychiatric complications during the postoperative period require a thorough preoperative investigation and a categorization with the purpose of predicting possible complications and personalizing psychological care that might favor patient compliance. Psychodynamic assessment may provide data for such categorization and, thus, suggest effective pre- and postoperative approach strategies. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify personality structures that may be useful in the postoperative follow-up, as well as additional inclusion and exclusion criteria for the surgical procedure. METHOD: Report of empirical survey conducted during psychotherapy sessions with an open group of patients who underwent bariatric surgery. DISCUSSION: After surgery, patients may experience phases of emotional restructuring, such as an initial phase of feeling triumphant, followed by a phase when there is risk of melancholic behavior and new addictions. We identified three categories of psychological structures: melancholic structure (patients seem to be more likely to develop other postoperative addictive behaviors, mainly eating disorders, since they cannot tolerate the frustration of the loss); dementalized structure (due to the lack of elaborative capacity, patients are unable to reorganize themselves in face of the challenge of keeping their weight under control); and perverse structure (patients comply with the scheduled weight loss; however, their behavior makes the health team experience uncomfortable situations). Establishing psychological categories may be crucial in order to suggest postoperative management strategies, including referral to a psychotherapist with the purpose of providing personalized care, thus increasing specific therapeutic success.INTRODUÇÃO: O grande número de pacientes submetidos a cirurgia bariátrica e que, no pós-operatório, apresentam complicações psicológicas e psiquiátricas justifica uma investigação pré-operatória acurada, bem como categorização daqueles que se submeterão ao procedimento cirúrgico, visando predizer eventuais complicações e individualizar condutas psicológicas que possam favorecer a adesão do paciente. A avaliação psicodinâmica pode fornecer elementos para tal categorização e, assim, propor estratégias de abordagem pré e pós-operatória eficazes. Procuramos identificar estruturas de personalidade que possam orientar o acompanhamento pós-operatório, bem como critérios auxiliares de inclusão/exclusão do procedimento cirúrgico. MÉTODO: Relato de pesquisa empírica conduzida em atendimentos a pacientes submetidos a cirurgia bariátrica, em grupo terapêutico aberto. DISCUSSÃO: Pacientes, depois de operados, podem passar por determinadas fases de reestruturação emocional, como uma primeira fase de triunfo, seguida de fase de risco para surgimento de quadros melancólicos e de novas adições. Identificamos três categorias estruturais psicológicas: estrutura melancólica, cujos pacientes parecem ter maior possibilidade de desenvolver outras condutas aditivas no pós-operatório, sobretudo alimentares, por não suportarem a frustração pela perda; estrutura desmentalizada, na qual, por faltar uma capacidade elaborativa, o paciente não consegue reorganizar-se frente ao desafio de permanecer com peso controlado; e, finalmente, a estrutura perversa, cujos sujeitos mantêm a programada perda de peso, porém a custas de comportamentos que levam desconfortos à equipe de saúde. Estabelecer categorias psicológicas classificatórias pode ser crucial para que se proponham condutas no pós-operatório, inclusive indicação de psicoterapia com especialista, visando a individualizar o atendimento incrementando sucesso terapêutico específico.737

Presence Of Serum Ferritin Before And After Bariatric Surgery: Analysis In Dentate And Edentulous Patients

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Society has changed its own lifestyle, specially its eating habits and physical activities, leading to excessive weight and a sedentary behavior, which has contributed to obesity increase. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment to obesity, allowing weight loss and its maintenance. However, it has been related high levels of iron deficiency after surgery. A person's nutritional status might be affected by total or partial tooth loss. The aim of this longitudinal prospective cohort study was to evaluate the levels of serum ferritin before and after bariatric surgery and to identify if there is a relation with tooth loss. The sample was composed of 50 patients selected and assisted at Amaral Carvalho Hospital, located in Jau A city, Brazil. The use and necessity of prosthesis, dental absence or presence, and serum ferritin dosage were evaluated. Student's t test, Univariate analysis, Chi-square and Odds Ratio were adopted (p<0.05). There was no significant difference regarding the serum ferritin levels between dentate and edentulous patients prior to surgery (p = 0.436). After surgery, the serum ferritin levels were higher in edentulous patients (prosthesis users) when compared to the pre-surgical levels, and the post-surgical levels presented significant difference regarding the dentate patients (p = 0.024). It can be concluded that rehabilitated patients in postoperative period showed better levels of serum ferritin after surgical intervention.1110CNPqFAPESP [2012/10994-0, 2015/05749-5]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Early menarche and teenager pregnancy as risk factors for morbid obesity among reproductive-age women: A case-control study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate potential risk factors, including non-communicable diseases, for morbid obesity in women between 20 and 49 years of age. METHODS: We performed a case-control study with 110 morbidly obese women and 110 women with adequate weight who were matched by age and with a 1:1 case to control ratio. All women were between 20 to 49 years old and non-menopausal. Possible risk factors were evaluated through a self-report questionnaire assessing socio-demographic, obstetric and gynecological characteristics, presence of non-communicable diseases and habits. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio with respective confidence intervals. RESULTS: Menarche under 12 years old, teenage pregnancy and lower educational level were shown to be risk factors for morbid obesity among women of reproductive age. Incidences of non-communicable diseases (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, liver disease, lung disease, thyroid dysfunction, and joint pain) were increased in women with morbid obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Early menarche, teenage pregnancy and low education level are risk factors for the occurrence of morbid obesity in women of reproductive age. Some non-communicable diseases were already more prevalent in women with morbid obesity even before 50 years of age

Analysis of quality of life among asthmatic individuals with obesity and its relationship with pulmonary function: cross-sectional study

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOThe combined effect of obesity and asthma may lead to significant impairment of quality of life (QOL). The aim here was to evaluate the prevalence of asthma among obese individuals, characterize the severity of impairment of quality of life and measure it1354332338FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOsem informaçã

Cirurgia Bariátrica Em Indivíduos Com Déficits Cognitivos Graves: Relato De Dois Casos

Bariatric surgery has become the gold-standard treatment for refractory morbid obesity. Obesity is frequently associated with certain syndromes that include coexisting cognitive deficits. However, the outcomes from bariatric surgery in this group of individuals remain incompletely determined. CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old male with Prader-Willi syndrome, whose intelligence quotient (IQ) was 54, was admitted with a body mass index (BMI) of 55 kg/m2, associated with glucose intolerance. He underwent the Scopinaro procedure for biliopancreatic diversion, with uneventful postoperative evolution, and presented a 55% loss of excess weight one year after the surgery, with resolution of glucose intolerance, and without any manifestation of protein-calorie malnutrition. A 28-year-old male with Down syndrome, whose IQ was 68, was admitted with BMI of 41.5 kg/m2, associated with hypertension. He underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, with uneventful postoperative evolution. He presented a 90% loss of excess weight one year after the surgery, with resolution of the hypertension. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery among individuals with intellectual impairment is a controversial topic. There is a tendency among these individuals to present significant weight loss and comorbidity control, but less than what is observed in the general obese population. The severity of the intellectual impairment may be taken into consideration in the decision-making process regarding the most appropriate surgical technique. Bariatric surgery is feasible and safe among these individuals, but further research is necessary to deepen these observations

Prevalence of body contouring surgery in post-bariatric patients at a university hospital

Introduction: The growing number of patients with massive weight loss after bariatric surgery is correlated with the demand for body contouring surgery. Such procedures reduce physical and psychological complaints, positively influencing the quality of life of these people. However, there is little data on the response of services that offer surgical treatment for morbid obesity to this need. The study aims to measure the prevalence of body contouring surgery between 2015 and 2018, in patients previously underwent on a bariatric surgery, in 2014 and 2015, at a University Hospital. Methods: Research in the hospital information system and medical records in order to assess the institutional prevalence of post-bariatric body contouring surgery. Patients who did not undergo both surgeries in our Service, those who underwent these surgical procedures in other years, as well as those with incomplete medical records were excluded. Results: Bariatric surgeries were performed in 208 patients. Of these, 11% (n=23) underwent 27 body contouring surgeries, with abdominal dermolipectomy (n=16) being the most frequently performed. The performance of more than one procedure to correct body deformity occurred in 13% (n=3) of patients. The mean age of patients undergoing body contouring surgery was 37 years, the majority was female (96%, n=22). Conclusion: Body contouring surgery is an important step in the treatment of morbid obesity and has a restorative feature. There is a huge lack of this therapy, which irreparably compromises the results obtained by bariatric surgery