Lose Weight Research Articles

Patient insights into the experience of trying to achieve weight-loss and future expectations upon commencement of a primary care-led weight management intervention: A qualitative, baseline exploration.

IntroductionThe long-term effects of interventions aiming to achieve substantial, sustainable weight loss maintenance have been disappointing. Most people regain their lost weight over time but some seem to be able to maintain their weight loss. We are following the experiences of patients over time prospectively. This study forms the baseline to provide insights into patient experiences prior to entering a primary care-led weight management intervention and their expectations going forward.Materials and methodsWe recruited 21 adult male and female patients of varying ethnicity with a BMI between 27.7kg/m2 and 48.4kg/m2 from a cohort of patients entering a primary care-led weight management intervention. Patients were offered video and audio interview options during the COVID-19 lockdown. In total, twenty chose the audio option, while one chose the video option. The interview format was semi-structured with room for individual exploration.DiscussionWe found that participants experienced feeling unable to control their weight and encountered a multitude of internal and external barriers to weight management. Some had supportive environments, while others experienced discouraging external influences. Though personal characteristics varied, motivations, goals and expected benefits were similar across this cohort. Most participants had previously experienced transient successful weight-loss attempts with varying approaches. COVID-19 was experienced as an opportunity or barrier for change.ConclusionThis study illustrates the importance of gaining comprehensive insights into the diverse experiences patients encounter when trying to achieve weight loss. Personalized support taking into account individual experiences and circumstances may enhance long-term treatment outcomes. Future research into the complexities of weight management based on individual accounts can aid in the creation of improved treatment protocols.

Living the dream – but not without hardship: stories about self-directed weight transformation from severe obesity

The objective of this narrative study was to explore experiences and assigned meanings in stories about self-directed weight loss (WL) maintenance after severe obesity (SO). Design In-depth interviews were conducted with eight women and two men, aged 27 to 59 years, who had carried out self-directed WL from SO for 5 years or more. Two themes ran across the stories fear of weight-regain, and food and emotion. We performed a case-based narrative analysis of especially rich interviews that illustrate these. Results pointed to persistently cultivating new competencies, establishing new eating habits, re-establishing old physical-training habits, and forming new relational bonds. Participants reinvented themselves and their lives. However, the stories are not all about transformation, but also about new and old health problems. Conclusion The study directs attention to ‘different obesities’, not only to initial weight from which WL takes place, but also linked to the experiential horizons that the persons embody from childhood on. Furthermore, there was no way back in the present stories, always haunted in the wake of the lost weight. A double burden imposed on the person with obesity related to meta-stories in society deepens the understanding of this imperative: being vulnerable health-wise and exposed to stigmatization.

SEMAGLUTIDE (RYBELSUS) AND LOSING WEIGHT

SEMAGLUTIDE (RYBELSUS) AND LOSING WEIGHT

The effectiveness of technology-based interventions for weight loss maintenance: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials with meta-analysis.

To systematically review and meta-analyze randomized controlled trials on the effects of technology-based interventions for maintenance of lost weight. A systematic literature search was performed to identify randomized controlled trials with at least one intervention arm delivered through the internet or mobile application, published in English until September 2021. Weight change at the end of the weight loss maintenance phase was considered the primary outcome. Twelve manuscripts with 2941 adults were included in the review; 10 studies were meta-analyzed. Included interventions had a duration of 3-30 months and were tested compared with minimum interventions (no contact with the study staff or intervention with only a limited number of features) or in-person groups. Technology-based interventions resulted in similar weight regain when compared with minimum interventions (ES = -0.07 kg; 95% CI = [-0.57, 0.42]; p = 0.770). However, when compared with in-person interventions, technology-based interventions were found to lead in significantly higher weight regain (ES = 1.36 kg; 95% CI = [0.29, 2.43]; p = 0.010). Web- and app-based interventions for weight loss maintenance produced similar results with minimum interventions and resulted in greater weight regain compared with in-person interventions. Appropriate interventions for weight loss maintenance provide benefits against weight regain, only when provided in-person.

Impact of Gestational Weight Gain Recommendations for Obese Women on Neonatal Morbidity.

In 2013, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOGs) developed gestational weight gain guidelines to minimize the risks associated with obesity during pregnancy. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that current recommendations should be revised for obese women. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of gestational weight gain recommendations for obese women (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) on neonatal and maternal outcomes in Quebec. Secondary analysis of the QUARISMA trial was performed including obese women who delivered a full-term singleton in cephalic presentation from 2008 to 2011 in Quebec. Outcomes assessed were composite risks of major neonatal and maternal complications, minor neonatal and maternal complications, as well as obstetrical interventions. Outcomes were compared between weight gain recommendations (reference group) and three weight gain/loss categories using logistic regressions. In second analysis, obese women were stratified by obesity class. Among the 16,808 eligible obese women, 605 lost weight during pregnancy, 2,665 gained between 0 and 4.9 kg, 4,355 gained weight within the recommendations (5-9.09 kg), and 9,183 gained at least 9.1 kg. Results showed a significant reduction in major neonatal morbidity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.51-0.94), minor maternal morbidity (aOR = 0.79, 95%CI = 0.67-0.93), and assisted vaginal delivery (aOR = 0.82, 95%CI = 0.68-0.99) among women who gained 0 to 4.9 kg compared with the reference group. Cesarean delivery and preeclampsia/eclampsia were significantly reduced with weight loss (aOR = 0.76, 95%CI = 0.64-0.89 and 0.58, 95%CI = 0.42-0.78) compared with the reference group. Weight gain above recommendations was associated with an increased risk of minor neonatal morbidity, major and minor maternal morbidity, as well as cesarean delivery. Compared with a weight gain within the recommendations, a gestational weight gain/loss of less than 5 kg in obese women is associated with a reduced risk of major neonatal morbidity, minor maternal morbidity, preeclampsia/eclampsia, cesarean delivery, and assisted vaginal delivery. Guidelines on gestational weight gain for obese women should be updated. · Gestational weight gain/loss of less than 5 kg reduces the risk of perinatal complications.. · As suggested by ACOG recommendations, guidelines for obese women should be updated.. · Recommendations stratified by obesity class should be included in revised guidelines..

Effects of Increased Physical Activity/Exercise on Long-Term Losses in Weight and Waist Circumference: Serial Mediation from Changes in Exercise-Related to Eating-Related Self-Regulation.

Behavioral obesity treatments have generally been unsuccessful at facilitating long-term weight reductions. Increased physical activity/exercise is a strong predictor of maintained weight loss. It has been proposed this is more linked to increases in exercise-related self-regulation carrying-over to eating-related self-regulation than through direct energy expenditures. Women with obesity participated in 10-month community-based behavioral treatments that had theory-based foci on either self-regulation skills building (n = 59) or knowledge of weight loss methods (n = 54). Physical activity/exercise, exercise-related self-regulation, and eating-related self-regulation were assessed at baseline and months 3, 6, and 12 in the prediction of weight and waist circumference changes over 24months. Significant overall improvements on all measures were found, which were significantly greater in the self-regulation-focused group than the knowledge-focused group. Mean reductions in waist circumference/weight were - 4.64cm/ - 5.17kg (- 5.5% of baseline weight) and - 0.66cm/ - 1.19kg (- 1.2% of baseline weight), respectively. Aggregated data indicated that early increase in physical activity/exercise significantly predicted 24-month reductions in both weight and waist circumference. Serial mediation analyses indicated that a sequential path from exercise-related self-regulation (baseline-month 3) → eating-related self-regulation (baseline-month 6) → eating-related self-regulation (baseline-month 12) fully mediated the physical activity/exercise-weight/waist circumference change relationships. Energy expenditures from physical activity/exercise accounted for 21% of lost weight. Findings of this field research supported benefits of progressively building self-regulation skills, first for physical activity/exercise then controlled eating, through accordingly focused behavioral treatments. Opportunities for tailoring large-scale community-based interventions grounded in theory were enhanced.

Long-Term Mortality Implications of Maternal Weight Change in Pregnancy

ObjectivesHigh pregnancy weight gain is associated with greater postpartum weight retention; yet the long-term implications remain unknown. We examined associations of pregnancy weight change with mortality after ∼50 years of follow-up.MethodsThe Collaborative Perinatal Project (CPP) Mortality Linkage Study linked maternal participants in the CPP, a prospective pregnancy cohort (1959–1965), to the National Death Index and Social Security Death Master File for vital status through 2016 (n = 46,042). Total gestational weight change (gain or loss) in the index pregnancy (last CPP singleton pregnancy) was the difference in recorded delivery weight and self-reported pre-pregnancy weight. All-cause and cause-specific mortality associations with quintiles of gestational weight change were estimated using Cox regression adjusting for index pregnancy age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), race, parity, smoking, marital status, income, education, site, study year, prior chronic conditions, and gestational week at delivery.ResultsMajority of women (69%) had a healthy pre-pregnancy BMI and 46% were White and 45% were Black. Median (interquartile range) total gestational weight change was 9.5 kg (6.4–12.2), respectively; 2.5% lost weight in pregnancy. Over a median follow-up of 52 years (IQR 45–54), 38.9% of women died. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for mortality across quintiles 1 to 5 were 1.07 (95% CI 1.01–1.12), 1.03 (0.98–1.09), 1.00 (Reference), 1.01 (0.96–1.07), and 1.09 (1.03- 1.14), respectively. Compared to the middle quintile, HRs for the top four causes of death, cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes for the first quintile were 1.20 (0.99–1.46), 1.05 (0.96–1.15), 1.14 (0.96–1.37), and 0.92 (0.72–1.17), respectively; HRs for the fifth quintile were 1.19 (0.98–1.45), 1.14 (1.03–1.27), 0.95 (0.78–1.14), and 1.52 (1.20–1.92) respectively.ConclusionsThis study's novel findings extend the importance of healthy pregnancy weight gain beyond the pregnancy window to women's long mortality risk, particularly from cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.Funding SourcesThis work was funded by the Intramural Research Program of the NICHD.

Understanding weight regain after a nutritional weight loss intervention: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the effects of lifestyle interventions on long-term weight maintenance of weight loss. In addition, we seek to address which period is most susceptible to weight regain; and what is the time required for following-up weight maintenance after the intervention. Articles published up to August 2020 were identified using the Medline (PubMed), Embase, Web of Science, CENTRAL and Scopus. After the selection process, 27 clinical trials involving 7236 individuals were included. The results showed that around 36 weeks after the end of the intervention, weight variation reduces, and a sign of continuous weight gain begin to occur with some patients (n=208,209) presenting even a completely regain of the lost weight before one year (∼40-48 weeks). However, some strategies used during the weight loss intervention and maintenance period may impact the amount and when the weight regain happens, like intervention type;, intervention duration;, presence of dietitian on the care team;, and maintenance period with counseling by a health professional at least once a month. This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that lifestyle interventions remained effective in maintaining the mean weight (5% lower than baseline weight) after weight loss interventions were over. However, weight regain started 36 weeks after intervention conclusion. And, it turns out, some strategies used during the weight loss intervention and maintenance period may impact the amount and when the weight regain happens. Obesity complexity and chronicity should be considered, therefore constant and lifelong monitoring and support are important.

Malnutrition screening in cancer patients on chemotherapy.

e18640 Background: Malnutrition occurs in 40-80% of cancer patients and has great impact on quality of life and treatment outcomes. The essential elements of malnutrition for patients with cancer are early identification of patients at greatest risk, nutrition assessment to determine the level of deficit, and appropriate nutrition intervention. Currently we don’t have a standard tool to identify patients who are malnourished on chemotherapy and nutrition referrals were placed based on provider's subjective assessment. Methods: From March 2020 to August 2020, 41 patients on chemotherapy were reviewed, of which 29% were referred to nutrition. To assess the patients at risk early on, a validated Malnutrition Screening Tool(MST) was implemented from September 2020 to February 2021 in the Medical Oncology fellow's clinic notes. Although the original MST was implemented mostly for inpatient elderly patient population, the idea of this study was to apply this tool to assess acute nutrition issues for patients receiving cancer therapy in the outpatient setting. This tool used two simple questions, Have you lost weight recently without trying? (If lost 1-6lbs = 1points, 7-13lbs = 2points and > 13 = 3points), and have you been eating poorly because of decreased appetite? (Yes = 1 point; No = 0 points).A smart phrase which included these questions was used in the notes and if patients scored greater than or equal to 2, were considered malnourished and qualified for nutrition referrals. Other variables included were age, sex, and type of cancer. Results: Of the 41 charts that implemented MST, 21 patients(49%) screened positive and all 100% of them were referred to nutrition. After implementing this tool, there was a 20% increase in identifying and referring the malnourished patients who were receiving cancer therapy during the clinic visits. Median age for patients who screened positive was 60 years, more males screened positive than females(60% vs 40%). Gastro-intestinal malignancies and head and neck cancers were the highest who screened positive in the MST group(14% each out of the 49%). Conclusions: Malnutrition is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with any stage cancer and especially worse in advanced stage cancer. By simply using this two-step questionnaire, we were able to identify 20% more patients who were at risk for malnutrition. Older age, Males and Gastro-intestinal and Head and Neck cancer patients are more at risk and needs to be more closely screened. The study concludes that using a simple tool in the outpatient clinics can assess patient's at risk and provide early qualitative support throughout course of therapy.

A feasibility study to test a novel approach to dietary weight loss with a focus on assisting informed decision making in food selection.

Obesity is a significant contributor to the development of chronic diseases, some of which can be prevented or reversed by weight loss. However, dietary weight loss programs have shortcomings in the success rate, magnitude, or sustainability of weight loss. The Individualized Diet Improvement Program's (iDip) objective was to test the feasibility of a novel approach that helps individuals self-select a sustainable diet for weight loss and maintenance instead of providing weight loss products or rigid diet instructions to follow. The iDip study consisted of 22 dietary improvement sessions over 12 months with six months of follow-up. Daily weights were collected, and a chart summarizing progress was provided weekly. Six 24-hour dietary records were collected, and dietary feedback was provided in the form of a protein-fiber plot, in which protein/energy and fiber/energy of foods were plotted two-dimensionally together with a target box specific to weight loss or maintenance. An exit survey was conducted at 12 months. Twelve (nine female, 46.3±3.1 years (mean±SE)) of the initial 14 participants (BMI>28 kg/m2) completed all sessions. Mean percent weight loss (n = 12) at six and 12 months was -4.9%±1.1 (p = 0.001) and -5.4%±1.7 (p = 0.007), respectively. Weight loss varied among individuals at 12 months; top and bottom halves (n = 6 each) achieved -9.7%±1.7 (p = 0.0008) and -1.0%±1.4 weight loss, respectively. The 24-hour records showed a significant increase in protein density from baseline to final (4.1g/100kcal±0.3 vs. 5.7g/100kcal±0.5; p = 0.008). Although mean fiber density showed no significant change from the first month (1.3g/100kcal±0.1), the top half had significantly higher fiber/energy intake than the bottom half group. The survey suggested that all participants valued the program and its self-guided diet approach. In conclusion, half of the participants successfully lost >5% and maintained the lost weight for 12 months without strict diet instructions, showing the feasibility of the informed decision-making approach.

Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension.

AimTo explore changes in body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors after treatment withdrawal in the STEP 1 trial extension.Materials and MethodsSTEP 1 (NCT03548935) randomized 1961 adults with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 (or ≥ 27 kg/m2 with ≥ 1 weight‐related co‐morbidity) without diabetes to 68 weeks of once‐weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg (including 16 weeks of dose escalation) or placebo, as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention. At week 68, treatments (including lifestyle intervention) were discontinued. An off‐treatment extension assessed for a further year a representative subset of participants who had completed 68 weeks of treatment. This subset comprised all eligible participants from any site in Canada, Germany and the UK, and sites in the United States and Japan with the highest main phase recruitment. All analyses in the extension were exploratory.ResultsExtension analyses included 327 participants. From week 0 to week 68, mean weight loss was 17.3% (SD: 9.3%) with semaglutide and 2.0% (SD: 6.1%) with placebo. Following treatment withdrawal, semaglutide and placebo participants regained 11.6 (SD: 7.7) and 1.9 (SD: 4.8) percentage points of lost weight, respectively, by week 120, resulting in net losses of 5.6% (SD: 8.9%) and 0.1% (SD: 5.8%), respectively, from week 0 to week 120. Cardiometabolic improvements seen from week 0 to week 68 with semaglutide reverted towards baseline at week 120 for most variables.ConclusionsOne year after withdrawal of once‐weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg and lifestyle intervention, participants regained two‐thirds of their prior weight loss, with similar changes in cardiometabolic variables. Findings confirm the chronicity of obesity and suggest ongoing treatment is required to maintain improvements in weight and health.

My Mother's Facelift

My Mother's Facelift

The Diet Quality of Medical Students in the United States during the Early COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Medical students report lacking the knowledge to conduct nutrition counseling for patients and practice good dietary quality in their personal life. This cross-sectional study describes the dietary quality of medical students at one midwestern college of medicine during the early COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Medical students (n = 102) enrolled at the time of this study in the spring of 2020 were surveyed utilizing the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants–Shortened (REAP-S). The response rate was 27%. Results: One hundred and two medical students were included. A mean REAP-S score of 30.5, SD=3.9 (range 13-39) was obtained (67% of ideal dietary quality). Body weight remained the same for 54.9% of students, 25.7% gained weight and 18.8% lost weight during the late spring of 2020. Students with BMI < 24.9 kg/m2 (mean REAP-S score of 31.6±3.6) had a significantly better dietary quality (p < 0.001) compared to students with BMI > 25 kg/m2 (mean REAP-S score of 28.9±3.9). Students with self-reported “less healthy” diet (mean REAP-S=28.2±3.3) had significantly worse dietary quality (p < 0.001) compared to those who either maintained healthy diet (mean REAP-S=31.1±3.8) or improved diet (mean REAP-s=31.9±3.6). Of note, 89.2% of students indicated that they want to improve their diet. Conclusion: The dietary quality of participants was found to be sub-optimal during the early COVID-19 pandemic, with potential to adversely impact the long-term health of our future medical workforce.

Immune durability and protection against SARS-CoV-2 re-infection in Syrian hamsters

ABSTRACT Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic. As immunity to endemic human coronaviruses (i.e. NL63 or OC43) wanes leading to re-infection, it was unknown if SARS-CoV-2 immunity would also decline permitting repeat infections. Recent case reports confirm previously infected individuals can become re-infected; however, re-infection may be due to heterogeneity in the initial infection or the host immune response, or may be the result of infection with a variant strain that escapes pre-existing immunity. To control these variables, we utilized the Syrian hamster model to evaluate the duration of immunity and susceptibility to re-infection with SARS-CoV-2. Hamsters were given a primary mock or SARS-CoV-2 infection (culture media or 105 TCID50 USA/WA1/2020 isolate, respectively). Mock and SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters were then given a secondary SARS-CoV-2 infection at 1, 2, 4, or 6 months post-primary infection (n = 14/time point/group). After the primary SARS-CoV-2 infection, hamsters developed anti-spike protein IgG, IgA, and neutralizing antibodies, and these antibodies were maintained for at least 6 months. Upon secondary SARS-CoV-2 challenge, previously SARS-CoV-2 infected animals were protected from weight loss, while all previously mock-infected animals became infected and lost weight. Importantly, despite having high titres of antibodies, one SARS-CoV-2 infected animal re-challenged at 4 months had a breakthrough infection with replicating virus in the upper and lower respiratory tract. These studies demonstrate immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is maintained for 6 months; however, protection may be incomplete and, even in the presence of high antibody titres, previously infected hosts may become re-infected.

Prevalence of malnutrition and nutrition-related complications in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

Cross-sectional studies report that up to 25% of people with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP NET) are malnourished. However, the changes in nutritional status and dietary intake over time are unknown. The present study aimed to comprehensively describe the impact of a GEP NET on nutritional status and quality of life (QOL). Patients diagnosed with a GEP NET were recruited to this prospective longitudinal study on initial attendance to the NET Unit at two tertiary hospitals in Melbourne (VIC, Australia). Patient self-reported QOL measures (European Organisation for Research and Treatment Cancer QLC-C30 and QLC-GINET21) and nutritional outcomes (nutritional status, weight change, fat-free mass [FFM], dietary change, dietitian contact) were collected bi-monthly for six months. Sixty-one patients were recruited (66% male) with a mean ± SD age of 62 ± 12 years, predominantly diagnosed with small intestinal NET and Grade 1/2 disease. Commonly reported symptoms were fatigue (79%), abdominal discomfort (75%) and pain (68%). More patients were malnourished at baseline than at 6 months (29% vs. 13%). Over this 6months, 48% lost weight, 20% lost ≥ 5% of their body weight, and 62% lost FFM with an average FFM loss of 2.8kg (95% confidence interval=2.0, 3.6), consistent with altered body composition. Dietary change was reported by 56% at baseline and 53% at six months, but only 21% consulted a dietitian at baseline and 18% at 6 months. Clinically significant loss of weight and FFM affected many patients with a GEP NET; however, few patients were referred to/or received a consultation with a dietitian. Valid screening practices are needed to identify weight loss and nutrition issues in GEP NET patients, and to facilitate referral to dietitian services.

Rural-urban differences in food insecurity and associated cognitive impairment among older adults: findings from a nationally representative survey

IntroductionDue to rapid urbanization, Covid-19 pandemic and increasing food prices, a higher rate of food insecurity has been observed in recent years in India. Thus, we aim to study the prevalence of food insecurity among older Indian adults and the association of food insecurity as a modifiable risk factor with late-life cognitive impairment.MethodData for this study were obtained from the recent release of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (2017–18). The total sample size for the study was 31,464 older adults aged 60 years and above. Cognitive functioning was measured through five broad domains (memory, orientation, arithmetic function, executive function, and object naming) adapted from the cognitive module of the US Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Descriptive statistics along with cross-tabulation were presented in the study. Additionally, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to fulfil the objectives of the study.ResultsIt was found that 7.7% of older adults in rural areas reduced their size of meals due to unavailability (urban, 3.2%), 41.2% of them did not eat enough food of their choice (urban, 38.3%), 6.9% were hungry but did not eat food (urban, 2.6%), 5.0% did not eat for whole day (urban, 2.2%), and 6.9% lost weight due to lack of food in their household (urban, 2.9%). It was found that older adults who did not have enough food of their choice had significantly higher odds [AOR: 1.24; CI: 1.14, 1.35] of suffering from cognitive impairment in reference to their counterparts. Similarly, the older adults who were hungry but did not eat were 30% [AOR: 1.30; CI: 1.02, 1.73] more likely to suffer from cognitive impairment in reference to their counterparts. Interaction model revealed that older adults who had food insecurity in rural areas had higher odds of cognitive impairment than older adults who had food insecurity in urban areas.ConclusionThe findings of the study highlight that the food security status in older adults may bring about greater challenges due to their limited economic resources. Interventions focusing on food security may have unintended positive impacts on late-life mental wellbeing as the older age is associated with higher cognitive deficits.

Satisfaction with permanent changes after cancer surgery: From personal satisfaction of gastric cancer survivors with post-gastrectomy weight loss

This study assessed the personal satisfaction of gastric cancer survivors with post-gastrectomy weight loss. The responses were analyzed in relation to the actual weight status based on two general criteria-preoperative weight and the World Health Organization (WHO) weight classification-as part of an attempt to identify patterns of satisfaction with weight loss. Survivors with significant postoperative weight loss (≥8%) were identified among 1- and 5-year survivors, and were divided into obese/non-obese weight losers (WLs) based on the WHO definition of obesity. For comparison, those with minimal weight change (not exceeding±3%) at each time period were identified (non-WLs).The EORTC QLQ-C30 and -STO22 questionnaires were used to monitor quality of life (QoL). Responses to an item in the EORTC QLQ-STO22, inquiring about personal concerns with weight loss, were used to assess personal satisfaction with weight changes. Except for the QoL disadvantages of non-obese WLs in anxiety (P=0.011) of 1-year survivors and in emotional functioning (P=0.039) of 5-year survivors, there was no significant difference in QoL changes between groups. Regarding personal satisfaction with decreased body weight, non-obese WLs continued to show dissatisfaction (P<0.001) unlike obese WLs, who enjoyed satisfaction comparable to non-WLs long after surgery. Compared with non-obese WLs who expressed dissatisfaction with current weight, obese WLs were satisfied with their current weight several years after surgery. Patient satisfaction with surgical changes may depend on the availability of reasonable grounds that suggest a positive interpretation of surgically altered status.

Ramazan Orucu Tutan Diabetes Mellitus Hastalarında Kendi Kendine Glikoz Takibinin Glisemik Kontrole Etkisi

Aim: It is known that a significant number of patients with diabetes insist on fasting in the month of Ramadan, despite the advice of their physicians and reliable authorities. In order to provide the best possible care and support to these patients, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the Diabetes and Ramadan (DAR) International Alliance practical guidelines have been created by the International Alliance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of consulting a physician and self glucose monitoring on diabetes management during Ramadan in patients with fasting diabetes.Methods: With this retrospective observational study, patients over 18 years of age who were diagnosed with diabetes, who came to the diabetes outpatient clinic for control after Ramadan and who made their follow-up from our outpatient clinic before Ramadan, were included. Everyone who intends to fast (previous or not) has been asked about previous fasting experiences, questions about whether they consulted the doctor before Ramadan, and those who fasted, how they spent this Ramadan, the questionnaire was filled. The biochemical data of fasting patients before and after Ramadan were analyzed.Results: A total of 394 patients with diabetes participated in the questionnaire and 98 of them (24.9 %) who were fasted were included in the study. The mean age of the fasting patients with diabetes was 59.7 ± 12.3 years and39.2 %werefemale. It was detected that 86.7% of the fasting people were fasting for more than 15 days. Fasting rates were higher in males than females (32.4% to 20.8%) It was found that 25.9% of patients with type 2 DM and 10.3% of patients with type 1 DM were fasting. It was determined that 62.8% of the patients intending to fast were consulted to the physician about this subject, 55.3% of them were determined risk by physician and 70% of them followed up with selfmonitoring blood glucose (SMBG). It was determined that 23.4% (23/98) of fasting patients had a reduction in the number or dose of diabetes medications used; 5.1% (5/98) experienced a complication that would disrupt fasting; 16.3% gained weight (2.8 ± 2.4 kg) and 23.5% lost weight (2.7 ± 1.9 kg). A significant increase in HbA1c and a significant decrease in UACR were detected. It has been determined that A1c control of those who follow with SMBG is better protected than those who do not.Conclusion: In our study, it was seen that a quarter of patients with diabetes fasted. The most valuable result of this study is that the diabetic patients have achieved a more successful diabetes control by providing self-auto control mechanism with SMBG, regardless of whether or not they have received medical advice by physician consultationin Ramadan.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Work, Health, and Quality of Life of Brazilian Hand Surgeons.

To evaluate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the clinical practice, health, and quality of life of Brazilian hand surgeons when only essential services and emergency procedures were being provided. A questionnaire of 50 questions was sent to members of the Brazilian Society of Hand Surgery addressing work and life routines before the pandemic and during the initial quarantine period from April to August 2020. Two hundred ten hand surgeons answered the questionnaire; 55.2% lived in the southeast region and worked in the capital and metropolitan regions, in both the private and public systems. Thirty-eight percent of the sample had other sources of income besides medicine, and due to a drop of 50% or more in the volume of consultations and surgeries, one-third had to apply for financial loans or access personal savings, and 69% made financial cuts in their domestic and life routines. More than 40% gained weight and stopped doing physical activities, while 20% lost weight and started physical activities. Approximately 30% were diagnosed with COVID-19, 92% of whom had mild symptoms and quarantined at home, and 89% had psychological symptoms such as anxiety, fear, insecurity, and insomnia. Coronavirus disease 2019 had a significant impact on the lives of Brazilian hand surgeons by drastically reducing the number of consultations and surgical procedures, generating not only financial difficulties but also changes in the exercise routine, changes in body weight, associated psychological symptoms, and changes in the family/life routine.

Bariatric Surgery is Effective and Safe for Obese Patients with Compensated Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

With the global pandemic of obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the incidence of cirrhosis associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has greatly increased. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bariatric surgery in obese cirrhotic patients. PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies. Effectiveness outcomes were weight loss, remission of comorbidities, and improvement in liver function. Safety outcomes were procedural complications and mortality. A total of 15 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Patients with compensated cirrhosis lost weight significantly after surgery, and the percentage of excess weight loss was 60.44 (95% CI, 44.34 to 76.55). Bariatric surgery resulted in remission of NAFLD in 57.9% (95% CI, 27.5% to 88.3%), T2DM in 58.4% (95% CI, 48.4% to 68.4%), hypertension in 53.1% (95% CI, 43% to 63.3%), dyslipidemia in 59.8% (95% CI, 41.1% to 78.5%) of patients with cirrhosis. Bariatric surgery reduced the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. The incidence of surgical complications in patients with cirrhosis was about 19.2% (95% CI, 11.7% to 26.6%), which was higher than that in patients without cirrhosis (OR 2.67 [95% CI, 1.26 to 5.67]). Patients with cirrhosis had an overall mortality rate of 1.3%, and the mortality rates for compensated cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis were 0.9% and 18.2%, respectively. Bariatric surgery is effective for weight loss, remission of comorbidities, and reversal of liver damage. Although cirrhotic patients have a higher risk of complications and death, bariatric surgery is relatively safe for well-compensated cirrhosis.