-
1.
Bariatric surgery, lifestyle interventions and orlistat for severe obesity: the REBALANCE mixed-methods systematic review and economic evaluation.
Avenell, A, Robertson, C, Skea, Z, Jacobsen, E, Boyers, D, Cooper, D, Aceves-Martins, M, Retat, L, Fraser, C, Aveyard, P, et al
Health technology assessment (Winchester, England). 2018;(68):1-246
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adults with severe obesity [body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 35 kg/m2] have an increased risk of comorbidities and psychological, social and economic consequences. OBJECTIVES Systematically review bariatric surgery, weight-management programmes (WMPs) and orlistat pharmacotherapy for adults with severe obesity, and evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of treatment. DATA SOURCES Electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database were searched (last searched in May 2017). REVIEW METHODS Four systematic reviews evaluated clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and qualitative evidence for adults with a BMI of ≥ 35 kg/m2. Data from meta-analyses populated a microsimulation model predicting costs, outcomes and cost-effectiveness of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery and the most effective lifestyle WMPs over a 30-year time horizon from a NHS perspective, compared with current UK population obesity trends. Interventions were cost-effective if the additional cost of achieving a quality-adjusted life-year is < £20,000-30,000. RESULTS A total of 131 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 26 UK studies, 33 qualitative studies and 46 cost-effectiveness studies were included. From RCTs, RYGB produced the greatest long-term weight change [-20.23 kg, 95% confidence interval (CI) -23.75 to -16.71 kg, at 60 months]. WMPs with very low-calorie diets (VLCDs) produced the greatest weight loss at 12 months compared with no WMPs. Adding a VLCD to a WMP gave an additional mean weight change of -4.41 kg (95% CI -5.93 to -2.88 kg) at 12 months. The intensive Look AHEAD WMP produced mean long-term weight loss of 6% in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (at a median of 9.6 years). The microsimulation model found that WMPs were generally cost-effective compared with population obesity trends. Long-term WMP weight regain was very uncertain, apart from Look AHEAD. The addition of a VLCD to a WMP was not cost-effective compared with a WMP alone. RYGB was cost-effective compared with no surgery and WMPs, but the model did not replicate long-term cost savings found in previous studies. Qualitative data suggested that participants could be attracted to take part in WMPs through endorsement by their health-care provider or through perceiving innovative activities, with WMPs being delivered to groups. Features improving long-term weight loss included having group support, additional behavioural support, a physical activity programme to attend, a prescribed calorie diet or a calorie deficit. LIMITATIONS Reviewed studies often lacked generalisability to UK settings in terms of participants and resources for implementation, and usually lacked long-term follow-up (particularly for complications for surgery), leading to unrealistic weight regain assumptions. The views of potential and actual users of services were rarely reported to contribute to service design. This study may have failed to identify unpublished UK evaluations. Dual, blinded numerical data extraction was not undertaken. CONCLUSIONS Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was costly to deliver, but it was the most cost-effective intervention. Adding a VLCD to a WMP was not cost-effective compared with a WMP alone. Most WMPs were cost-effective compared with current population obesity trends. FUTURE WORK Improved reporting of WMPs is needed to allow replication, translation and further research. Qualitative research is needed with adults who are potential users of, or who fail to engage with or drop out from, WMPs. RCTs and economic evaluations in UK settings (e.g. Tier 3, commercial programmes or primary care) should evaluate VLCDs with long-term follow-up (≥ 5 years). Decision models should incorporate relevant costs, disease states and evidence-based weight regain assumptions. STUDY REGISTRATION This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42016040190. FUNDING The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme. The Health Services Research Unit and Health Economics Research Unit are core funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate.
-
2.
Pharmacological management of obesity.
Velazquez, A, Apovian, CM
Minerva endocrinologica. 2018;(3):356-366
Abstract
Current management of obesity includes three main arms: behavioral modification, pharmacologic therapy, and bariatric surgery. Decades prior, the only pharmacological agents available to treat obesity were approved only for short-term use (≤12 weeks) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, in the last several years, the FDA has approved several medications for longer term treatment of obesity. This highlights the important progression that we, as a society, better appreciate now the chronicity and complexity of obesity as a disease. Also, availability of more medication options gives healthcare providers more possibilities to consider in the management of obesity. Medications for obesity can be simply categorized as FDA approved short-term use (diethylproprion, phendimetrazine, benzphetamine, and phentermine) and long-term use (orlistat, phentermine/topiramate ER, lorcaserin, naltrexone/bupropion ER and liraglutide). Additionally, type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is commonly seen in patients with obesity and necessitates consideration of pharmacological options that do not hinder patients' weight loss. Finally, weight-centric prescribing is also an important component to pharmacological management of obesity. It warrants that healthcare providers thoroughly review their patients' medication lists to determine if any of these agents could be contributing to weight gain.
-
3.
New treatment modalities for obesity.
Grandone, A, Di Sessa, A, Umano, GR, Toraldo, R, Miraglia Del Giudice, E
Best practice & research. Clinical endocrinology & metabolism. 2018;(4):535-549
Abstract
The treatment of childhood obesity represents a greater challenge for pediatricians. To date, it is multidisciplinary, including behavioral, dietary, pharmacological, and surgical options. Given the limited efficacy of available treatments, scientific research on finding new solutions is very active. Several drugs comprising Metformin, Glucagon-like peptide- 1 receptor agonists, Naltrexone-bupropion, Phentermine-Topiramate, and Lorcaserin have been studied as pediatric antiobesity agents. Findings from clinical trials showed a modest but significant effect of these drugs on weight loss, but long-term studies are needed to better define their exact role. Bariatric surgery is also promising for extremely obese adolescents. Moreover, a novel approach to treat obesity might be represented by compounds inducing browning of white adipose tissue, a complex process involved in body energy homeostasis, but at present evidence in humans is lacking. We aimed to review the current knowledge regarding the available new options for pediatric obesity treatment.
-
4.
Obesity Pharmacotherapy.
Saunders, KH, Umashanker, D, Igel, LI, Kumar, RB, Aronne, LJ
The Medical clinics of North America. 2018;(1):135-148
Abstract
Although diet, physical activity, and behavioral modifications are the cornerstones of weight management, weight loss achieved by lifestyle modifications alone is often limited and difficult to maintain. Pharmacotherapy for obesity can be considered if patients have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater or BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater with weight-related comorbidities. The 6 most commonly used antiobesity medications are phentermine, orlistat, phentermine/topiramate extended release, lorcaserin, naltrexone sustained release (SR)/bupropion SR, and liraglutide 3.0 mg. Successful pharmacotherapy for obesity depends on tailoring treatment to patients' behaviors and comorbidities and monitoring of efficacy, safety, and tolerability.
-
5.
Metformin-associated prevention of weight gain in insulin-treated type 2 diabetic patients cannot be explained by decreased energy intake: A post hoc analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled 4.3-year trial.
Out, M, Miedema, I, Jager-Wittenaar, H, van der Schans, C, Krijnen, W, Lehert, P, Stehouwer, C, Kooy, A
Diabetes, obesity & metabolism. 2018;(1):219-223
Abstract
Metformin prevents weight gain in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the mechanisms involved are still unknown. In this post hoc analysis of the HOME trial, we aimed to determine whether metformin affects energy intake. Patients with T2D were treated with 850 mg metformin or received placebo added to insulin (1-3 times daily) for 4.3 years. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline, after 1 year and after 4.3 years, according to the dietary history method. Among the 310 included participants, 179 (93 placebo, 86 metformin) completed all 3 dietary assessments. We found no significant difference in energy intake after 4.3 years between the groups (metformin vs placebo: -31.0 kcal/d; 95% CI, -107.4 to 45.4; F-value, 1.3; df = 415; P = .27). Body weight in placebo users increased significantly more than in metformin-users during 4.3 years (4.9 ± 4.9 vs 1.1 ± 5.2 kg; t test: P ≤ .001). Linear mixed models did not show a significant effect of energy intake as explanation for the difference in weight gain between the groups (F-value, 0.1; df = 1; P = .82). In conclusion, the prevention of weight gain by metformin cannot be explained by reduced energy intake.
-
6.
Understanding the Role and Mechanism of Carbonic Anhydrase V in Obesity and its Therapeutic Implications.
Queen, A, Khan, P, Azam, A, Hassan, MI
Current protein & peptide science. 2018;(9):909-923
Abstract
Obesity is a metabolic syndrome leading to several health problems such as hypertension, heart attack, type II diabetes, and even cancer. Carbonic anhydrase VA (CAVA) is a mitochondrial enzyme which is directly associated with the glucose homeostasis and considered as a promising target for obesity and other associated diseases in humans. So far, numerous inhibitors have been designed to inhibit the catalytic activity of CAVA with an assumption for its possible therapeutic uses against type II diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Among these, sulphonamide inhibitors and various non-classical inhibitors are extensively used. The focus of this review is to understand the mechanism and role CAVA in glucose homeostasis to ascertain as a potential drug target of obesity. We have further highlighted different types of inhibitors and their mode of binding and possible consequences with an aim to investigate possible therapeutic used for the treatment of obesity and associated diseases. Along with classical inhibitors, various non-classical inhibitors have proved to be potential inhibitors of CAV which may be employed to combat obesity. Certain phytochemicals are utilized as therapeutic molecules to fight obesity. These phytochemicals have been discussed in detail here.
-
7.
Metformin induces significant reduction of body weight, total cholesterol and LDL levels in the elderly - A meta-analysis.
Solymár, M, Ivic, I, Pótó, L, Hegyi, P, Garami, A, Hartmann, P, Pétervári, E, Czopf, L, Hussain, A, Gyöngyi, Z, et al
PloS one. 2018;(11):e0207947
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metformin is the first-choice drug for patients with Type 2 diabetes, and this therapy is characterized by being weight neutral. However, in the elderly an additional unintentional weight loss could be considered as an adverse effect of the treatment. OBJECTIVES We aimed to perform a meta-analysis of placebo-controlled studies investigating the body weight changes upon metformin treatment in participants older than 60 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched. We included at least 12 week-long studies with placebo control where the mean age of the metformin-treated patients was 60 years or older and the body weight changes of the patients were reported. We registered our protocol on PROSPERO (CRD42017055287). RESULTS From the 971 articles identified by the search, 6 randomized placebo-controlled studies (RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis (n = 1541 participants). A raw difference of -2.23 kg (95% CI: -2.84 --1.62 kg) body weight change was detected in the metformin-treated groups as compared with that of the placebo groups (p<0.001). Both total cholesterol (-0.184 mmol/L, p<0.001) and LDL cholesterol levels (-0.182 mmol/L, p<0.001) decreased upon metformin-treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our meta-analysis of RCTs showed a small reduction of body weight together with slight improvement of the blood lipid profile in patients over 60 years. With regard to the risk of unintentional weight loss, metformin seems to be a safe agent in the population of over 60 years. Our results also suggest that metformin treatment may reduce the risk of major coronary events (-4-5%) and all-cause mortality (-2%) in elderly diabetic populations.
-
8.
Maternal Use of Weight Loss Products and the Risk of Neural Tube Defects in Offspring: A Systematic Literature Review.
Hoang, TT, Agopian, AJ, Mitchell, LE
Birth defects research. 2018;(1):48-55
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have assessed potential associations between use of weight loss products in the periconceptional period and neural tube defects (NTDs). However, the individual studies are inconclusive and there has not been a systematic review of this literature. METHODS We conducted a systematic search, using Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed, to identify studies that evaluated the association between products used for weight loss and the risk of NTDs. Because many studies of birth defects only evaluate a composite birth defect outcome, we evaluated studies that defined the outcome as "any major birth defect" or as NTDs. We abstracted data on study design, exposure definition, outcome definition, covariates and effect size estimates from each article that met our inclusion criteria. For studies that evaluated a composite birth defect outcome, we also abstracted the number of NTD cases included in the composite outcome. We used a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to assess the quality of each article. RESULTS We screened 865 citations and identified nine articles that met our inclusion criteria. The majority of studies reported positive associations between maternal use of weight loss products and birth defects (overall and NTDs). However, there were few significant associations and there was considerable heterogeneity in the specific exposures assessed across the nine studies. CONCLUSION Our systematic review of weight loss products and NTDs indicates that the literature on this topic is sparse. Because several studies reported modest, positive associations between risk and use of weight loss products, additional studies are warranted. Birth Defects Research 110:48-55, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
-
9.
Effects of Agave fructans (Agave tequilana Weber var. azul) on Body Fat and Serum Lipids in Obesity.
Padilla-Camberos, E, Barragán-Álvarez, CP, Diaz-Martinez, NE, Rathod, V, Flores-Fernández, JM
Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands). 2018;(1):34-39
Abstract
Obesity affects millions of people worldwide, constituting a public health problem associated with premature mortality. Agave fructans decrease fat mass, body and liver weight, and generate satiety in rodents. In the present study the effects of agave fructans on weight control, lipid profile, and physical tolerability were evaluated in obese people. Twenty-eight obese volunteers were randomly divided into two groups. In the first group, 96 mg/bw of agave fructans was administered for 12 weeks; in the second group, maltodextrin as a placebo was administered for 12 weeks. All participants consumed a low-calorie diet of 1500 kcal/day. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were taken at baseline and at the end of the study. The body mass index (BMI) of the agave fructans treated group was reduced significantly from the baseline to the final measurements. Hip and waist circumferences decreased statistically in both groups. A decrease of 10% in total body fat was observed in the agave fructans treated group, resulting in a statistically significant difference in the final versus baseline measurements between the Agave fructans treated group and the placebo treated group. Triglycerides were reduced significantly in the agave fructans treated group. Glucose values did not change in either group. Agave fructans intake was safe and well tolerated throughout the study. The results showed that the ingestion of agave fructans enhanced the decrease in BMI, the decrease in total body fat, and the decrease in triglycerides in obese individuals who consume a low-calorie diet.
-
10.
Short- and Long-Term Changes in Health-Related Quality of Life with Weight Loss: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Pearl, RL, Wadden, TA, Tronieri, JS, Berkowitz, RI, Chao, AM, Alamuddin, N, Leonard, SM, Carvajal, R, Bakizada, ZM, Pinkasavage, E, et al
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.). 2018;(6):985-991
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the effects of weight loss and weight loss maintenance (WLM) on weight-specific health-related quality of life in a 66-week trial. METHODS Adults with obesity (N = 137, 86.1% female, 68.6% black, mean age = 46.1 years) who had lost ≥ 5% of initial weight in a 14-week intensive lifestyle intervention/low-calorie diet (LCD) program were randomly assigned to lorcaserin or placebo for an additional 52-week WLM program. The Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite (IWQOL-Lite) scale (including five subscales), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (depression), and Perceived Stress Scale were administered at the start of the 14-week LCD program, randomization, and week 52 of the randomized controlled trial (i.e., 66 weeks total). RESULTS Significant improvements in all outcomes, except weight-related public distress, were found following the 14-week LCD program (P values < 0.05). Improvements were largely maintained during the 52-week randomized controlled trial, despite weight regain of 2.0 to 2.5 kg across treatment groups. Participants who lost ≥ 10% of initial weight achieved greater improvements in physical function, self-esteem, sexual life, and the IWQOL-Lite total score than those who lost < 5% and did not differ from those who lost 5% to 9.9%. CONCLUSIONS Improvements in weight-specific health-related quality of life were achieved with moderate weight loss and were sustained during WLM.