METHODS: A sample of 758 adolescents aged 12-18 years were recruited from private and public schools in Tehran. Information about socio-demographic background and body change techniques were collected via a self-administered questionnaire.
RESULTS: A high percentage of adolescents used body change techniques frequently to alter their body appearance. Girls changed normal eating pattern significantly (p=0.007) to lose weight more frequently than boys while boys used this method significantly (p=0.01) to gain weight more frequently than girls. Overweight/obese adolescents exercised significantly to change muscle size (p=0.03) and changed normal diet to lose weight (p<0.001) more frequently than normal weight adolescents. The relation between sex and body weight status with body change techniques (p<0.0) implied that male and female adolescents especially overweight/obese adolescents were frequently trying to change their body appearance.
CONCLUSION: Significant differences existed in using body change techniques according to sex and body weight status and these should be considered in obesity prevention programs for adolescents.
METHODS: We designed a comprehensive assessment system to evaluate the safety, authenticity according to label claim, and pharmaceutical quality of slimming nutraceuticals. Six different popular products were evaluated (Zotreem Plus®, Zotreem Extra®, Malaysian Super Slim®, AB Slim®, Chinese Super Slim®, and Metabolites®). The pharmaceutical evaluation included analyzing the samples via high-performance liquid chromatography to determine any possible adulterants. Additionally, the products' physical properties were assessed via pharmacopeial tests. Finally, a microbial evaluation and a cross-sectional observational retrospective prevalence study were conducted to assess the products' safety and efficacy. -Results: The tested products were found to be adulterated with unreported active pharmaceutical ingredients such as sibutramine, sildenafil, phenolphthalein, and orlistat. Furthermore, they contained heterogeneous amounts of adulterants and exhibited an unsatisfactory pharmaceutical and microbial quality. Finally, the observational survey conducted on users showed that high percentages of participants suffered from common side effects such as depression, diarrhea, and hypertension.
CONCLUSIONS: These products threaten the health of consumers. There is a need to raise awareness of the lethal consequences of illegal nutraceuticals.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to look at our intermediate outcomes after LDJB-SG.
SETTING: An academic medical center.
METHODS: A prospective analysis of T2D patients who underwent LDJB-SG between October 2011 and October 2014 was performed. Data collected included baseline demographic, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, C-peptide, resolution of co-morbidities, and postoperative complications.
RESULTS: A total of 163 patients with minimum of follow-up >1 year were enrolled in this study (57 men and 106 women). The mean age and body mass index were 47.7 (±10.7) years and a 30.2 (±5.1) kg/m2, respectively. There were 119 patients on oral hypoglycemic agents only, 29 patients were on oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin, 3 patients were on insulin only, and the other 12 patients were not on diabetic medication. Mean operation time and length of hospital stay were 144.7 (± 45.1) minutes and 2.4 (± 1.0) days, respectively. Seven patients (3.6%) needed reoperation due to bleeding (n = 1), anastomotic leak (n = 2), sleeve strictures (n = 2), and incisional hernia (n = 2). At 2 years of follow-up, there were 56 patients. None of the patients were on insulin and only 20% of patients were on oral hypoglycemic agents. Mean body mass index significantly dropped to 22.9 (±5.6) kg/m2 at 2 years. The mean preoperative fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and C-peptide levels were 174.7 mg/dL (± 61.0), 8.8% (±1.8), and 2.6 (±1.7) ng/mL, respectively. The mean fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and C-peptide at 2 years were 112.5 (±60.7) mg/dL, 6.4% (±2.0), and 1.5 (±0.6) ng/mL, respectively. No patient needed revisional surgery because of dumping syndrome, marginal ulcer, or gastroesophageal reflux disease at the last follow up period.
CONCLUSION: At 2 years, LDJB-SG is a relatively safe and effective metabolic surgery with significant weight loss and resolution of co-morbidities.
Objective: To grade the evidence from published meta-analyses of RCTs that assessed the associations of IF (zero-calorie alternate-day fasting, modified alternate-day fasting, the 5:2 diet, and time-restricted eating) with obesity-related health outcomes.
Evidence Review: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane database of systematic reviews were searched from database inception to January 12, 2021. Data analysis was conducted from April 2021 through July 2021. Meta-analyses of RCTs investigating effects of IF in adults were included. The effect sizes of IF were recalculated using a random-effects model. We assessed the quality of evidence per association by applying the GRADE criteria (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) as high, moderate, low, and very low.
Findings: A total of 11 meta-analyses comprising 130 RCTs (median [IQR] sample size, 38 [24-69] participants; median [IQR] follow-up period, 3 [2-5] months) were included describing 104 unique associations of different types of IF with obesity-related health outcomes (median [IQR] studies per association, 4 [3-5]). There were 28 statistically significant associations (27%) that demonstrated the beneficial outcomes for body mass index, body weight, fat mass, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, and blood pressure. IF was found to be associated with reduced fat-free mass. One significant association (1%) supported by high-quality evidence was modified alternate-day fasting for 1 to 2 months, which was associated with moderate reduction in body mass index in healthy adults and adults with overweight, obesity, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease compared with regular diet. Six associations (6%) were supported by moderate quality evidence. The remaining associations found to be significant were supported by very low (75 associations [72%]) to low (22 associations [21%]) quality evidence.
Conclusions and Relevance: In this umbrella review, we found beneficial associations of IF with anthropometric and cardiometabolic outcomes supported by moderate to high quality of evidence, which supports the role of IF, especially modified alternate-day fasting, as a weight loss approach for adults with overweight or obesity. More clinical trials with long-term follow-up are needed to investigate the effects of IF on clinical outcomes such as cardiovascular events and mortality.
METHODS: After IRB approval, all patients with preoperative diagnosis of ILD who had bariatric surgery at an academic center between 2004 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.
RESULTS: A total of 25 patients with ILD underwent bariatric surgery: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 17, 68%), sleeve gastrectomy (n = 7, 28%), and adjustable gastric banding (n = 1, 4%). Twenty-one patients (84%) were females. The median age and preoperative body mass index (BMI) were 53 (IQR 42-58) years and 39 (IQR 37-44) kg/m2, respectively. The median operative time and length of stay was 137 (IQR 110-187) min and 3 (IQR 2-5) days, respectively. The 30-day complications were reported in four patients (16%) but there was no pulmonary complication or unplanned admission to the intensive care unit. At 1-year follow-up (85%), the median BMI and excess weight loss were 30 (IQR 25-36) kg/m2 and 67% (IQR 45-100), respectively. Compared to preoperative values, there was significant improvement in the pulmonary function test (PFT) variables at 1 year with respect to forced vital capacity (62% vs 74%; n = 13, p = 0.003), and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (53% vs 66%; n = 10, p = 0.003). Six out of the seven potential lung transplant candidates became eligible for transplantation after weight loss, and one of them had successful lung transplant at 88 months after bariatric surgery.
CONCLUSION: In our experience, bariatric patients with ILD achieved significant weight loss and improvement in PFT. Bariatric surgery in these higher risk ILD patients appears relatively safe with acceptable perioperative morbidity and improved candidacy for lung transplantation.
CASE PRESENTATION: A 35 years old man presented with a 5 month history of debilitating painful lower limb and scrotal ulcers. This was associated with polyarthralgia and morning stiffness involving both hands. He also complained of swallowing difficulties. He had unintentional weight loss of 10 kg and fatigue. Physical examination revealed alopecia, multiple cervical lymphadenopathies, bilateral parotid gland enlargement and atrophic glossitis. There was Raynaud's phenomenon noted over both hands and generalised hyper-pigmented fragile skin. Laboratory results disclosed anaemia, leukopenia, hyponatraemia and hypocortisolism. Detailed anaemic workup revealed low serum ferritin and cobalamin level. The autoimmune screen showed positive ANA, anti SmD1, anti SS-A/Ro 52, anti SSA/Ro 60, anti U1-snRNP with low complement levels. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsies confirmed atrophic gastritis and duodenitis. Intrinsic factor antibodies and anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA were all negative. Punch biopsies of the leg ulcer showed neutrophilic dermatosis consistent with pyoderma gangrenosum. Based on the clinical findings and positive immunologic studies, he was diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus. His general condition improved substantially with commencement of corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and vitamin supplements.
CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of PG as the first manifestation of SLE which was treated successfully with immunosuppressants and vitamin supplements. Our report highlighted the need to consider connective tissue diseases such as SLE in a patient presenting with PG in order for appropriate treatment to be instituted thereby achieving a good outcome.