-
1.
Endovascular Bariatric Surgery as Novel Minimally Invasive Technique for Weight Management in the Morbidly Obese: Review of the Literature.
Sangiorgi, GM, Cereda, A, Porchetta, N, Benedetto, D, Matteucci, A, Bonanni, M, Chiricolo, G, De Lorenzo, A
Nutrients. 2021;(8)
Abstract
Nowadays, obesity represents one of the most unresolved global pandemics, posing a critical health issue in developed countries. According to the World Health Organization, its prevalence has tripled since 1975, reaching a prevalence of 13% of the world population in 2016. Indeed, as obesity increases worldwide, novel strategies to fight this condition are of the utmost importance to reduce obese-related morbidity and overall mortality related to its complications. Early experimental and initial clinical data have suggested that endovascular bariatric surgery (EBS) may be a promising technique to reduce weight and hormonal imbalance in the obese population. Compared to open bariatric surgery and minimally invasive surgery (MIS), EBS is much less invasive, well tolerated, with a shorter recovery time, and is probably cost-saving. However, there are still several technical aspects to investigate before EBS can be routinely offered to all obese patients. Further prospective studies and eventually a randomized trial comparing open bariatric surgery vs. EBS are needed, powered for clinically relevant outcomes, and with adequate follow-up. Yet, EBS may already appear as an appealing alternative treatment for weight management and cardiovascular prevention in morbidly obese patients at high surgical risk.
-
2.
Obesity and SARS-CoV-2: Considerations on bariatric surgery and recommendations for the start of surgical activity.
Sánchez Santos, R, Garcia Ruiz de Gordejuela, A, Breton Lesmes, I, Lecube Torelló, A, Moizé Arcone, V, Arroyo Martin, JJ, Fernandez Alsina, E, Martín Antona, E, Rubio Herrera, MÁ, Sabench Pereferrer, F, et al
Cirugia espanola. 2021;(1):4-10
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has a great impact worldwide, being Spain one of the most affected countries. The delay in bariatric surgery can have fatal consequences since up to 50% of the patients who are on the waiting list develop a new comorbidity during the time they remain on it and 1.5% of patients die while waiting for the intervention. That is why bariatric surgery should not be delayed, if the occupation of the hospital by COVID-19+ patients decreases significantly, and sufficient resources and safety are available to restart surgery in patients with benign pathology. This document contains the main recommendations for the bariatric surgery programs in our country from the point of view of safety, bariatric patient preparation and follow up during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemia.
-
3.
Periconceptional Folate Supplementation in Women after Bariatric Surgery-A Narrative Review.
Vynckier, AK, Ceulemans, D, Vanheule, G, De Mulder, P, Van Den Driessche, M, Devlieger, R
Nutrients. 2021;(5)
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity is increasing globally, and along with it, there is a growing number of patients opting to undergo bariatric surgery to treat this condition. Whilst it has many advantages, bariatric surgery is known to induce micronutrient deficiency, with possible deleterious effects on overall health. This topic becomes even more relevant during pregnancy, where deficiencies can also affect the developing fetus, possibly being the cause of an increase in congenital anomalies. Most notably amongst these micronutrients is folate, or vitamin B9, which plays an essential role in development, gene expression and genomic stability. As insufficient levels of folate are associated with neural tube defects in the fetus, preventing and treating folate deficiencies during pregnancies after bariatric surgery is a relevant issue. Unfortunately, folate supplementation recommendations for bariatric patients who wish to become pregnant are not clear. In this narrative review, we discuss whether the recommendations for the general population are still valid for bariatric patients. Furthermore, we discuss the role of folate in the human body, folate status in both non-bariatric and bariatric patients, the various types of folate that are available for substitution and the risk associated with over-supplementation.
-
4.
Tissue and circulating microRNAs as biomarkers of response to obesity treatment strategies.
Catanzaro, G, Filardi, T, Sabato, C, Vacca, A, Migliaccio, S, Morano, S, Ferretti, E
Journal of endocrinological investigation. 2021;(6):1159-1174
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity, characterized by an increased amount of adipose tissue, is a metabolic chronic alteration which has reached pandemic proportion. Lifestyle changes are the first line therapy for obesity and a large variety of dietary approaches have demonstrated efficacy in promoting weight loss and improving obesity-related metabolic alterations. Besides diet and physical activity, bariatric surgery might be an effective therapeutic strategy for morbid obese patients. Response to weight-loss interventions is characterised by high inter-individual variability, which might involve epigenetic factors. microRNAs have critical roles in metabolic processes and their dysregulated expression has been reported in obesity. AIM: The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of current studies evaluating changes in microRNA expression in obese patients undergoing lifestyle interventions or bariatric surgery. RESULTS A considerable number of studies have reported a differential expression of circulating microRNAs before and after various dietary and bariatric surgery approaches, identifying several candidate biomarkers of response to weight loss. Significant changes in microRNA expression have been observed at a tissue level as well, with entirely different patterns between visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Interestingly, relevant differences in microRNA expression have emerged between responders and non-responders to dietary or surgical interventions. A wide variety of dysregulated microRNA target pathways have also been identified, helping to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases. CONCLUSIONS Although further research is needed to draw firm conclusions, there is increasing evidence about microRNAs as potential biomarkers for weight loss and response to intervention strategies in obesity.
-
5.
Iron Deficiency in Obesity and after Bariatric Surgery.
Bjørklund, G, Peana, M, Pivina, L, Dosa, A, Aaseth, J, Semenova, Y, Chirumbolo, S, Medici, S, Dadar, M, Costea, DO
Biomolecules. 2021;(5)
Abstract
Iron deficiency (ID) is particularly frequent in obese patients due to increased circulating levels of acute-phase reactant hepcidin and adiposity-associated inflammation. Inflammation in obese subjects is closely related to ID. It induces reduced iron absorption correlated to the inhibition of duodenal ferroportin expression, parallel to the increased concentrations of hepcidin. Obese subjects often get decreased inflammatory response after bariatric surgery, accompanied by decreased serum hepcidin and therefore improved iron absorption. Bariatric surgery can induce the mitigation or resolution of obesity-associated complications, such as hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia, adjusting many parameters in the metabolism. However, gastric bypass surgery and sleeve gastrectomy can induce malabsorption and may accentuate ID. The present review explores the burden and characteristics of ID and anemia in obese patients after bariatric surgery, accounting for gastric bypass technique (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass-RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). After bariatric surgery, obese subjects' iron status should be monitored, and they should be motivated to use adequate and recommended iron supplementation.
-
6.
Weight-Loss Strategies for Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.
Hall, ME, Cohen, JB, Ard, JD, Egan, BM, Hall, JE, Lavie, CJ, Ma, J, Ndumele, CE, Schauer, PR, Shimbo, D, et al
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979). 2021;(5):e38-e50
Abstract
Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and renal diseases in the United States and worldwide. Obesity accounts for much of the risk for primary hypertension through several mechanisms, including neurohormonal activation, inflammation, and kidney dysfunction. As the prevalence of obesity continues to increase, hypertension and associated cardiorenal diseases will also increase unless more effective strategies to prevent and treat obesity are developed. Lifestyle modification, including diet, reduced sedentariness, and increased physical activity, is usually recommended for patients with obesity; however, the long-term success of these strategies for reducing adiposity, maintaining weight loss, and reducing blood pressure has been limited. Effective pharmacotherapeutic and procedural strategies, including metabolic surgeries, are additional options to treat obesity and prevent or attenuate obesity hypertension, target organ damage, and subsequent disease. Medications can be useful for short- and long-term obesity treatment; however, prescription of these drugs is limited. Metabolic surgery is effective for producing sustained weight loss and for treating hypertension and metabolic disorders in many patients with severe obesity. Unanswered questions remain related to the mechanisms of obesity-related diseases, long-term efficacy of different treatment and prevention strategies, and timing of these interventions to prevent obesity and hypertension-mediated target organ damage. Further investigation, including randomized controlled trials, is essential to addressing these questions, and emphasis should be placed on the prevention of obesity to reduce the burden of hypertensive cardiovascular and kidney diseases and subsequent mortality.
-
7.
Nutritional Support for Bariatric Surgery Patients: The Skin beyond the Fat.
Toninello, P, Montanari, A, Bassetto, F, Vindigni, V, Paoli, A
Nutrients. 2021;(5)
Abstract
Body contouring surgery after the massive weight loss due to bariatric surgery deals with different kinds of complications. The aim of this review is to analyze the role that some nutrients may play in tissue healing after surgery, thus helping plastic surgeons to improve the aesthetic and health outcomes in massive weight loss patients under a multidisciplinary approach. As a matter of fact, preoperative nutritional deficiencies have been shown for vitamins and minerals in a large percentage of post-bariatric patients. Preoperative deficiencies mainly concern iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamins (both fat-soluble and water-soluble), but also total protein. During the postoperative period, these problems may increase because of the patients' very low intake of vitamins and minerals after bariatric surgery (below 50% of the recommended dietary allowance) and the patients' low compliance with the suggested multivitamin supplementation (approximately 60%). In the postoperative period, more attention should be given to nutritional aspects in regard to the length of absorptive area and the percentage of weight loss.
-
8.
Don't seek, don't find: The diagnostic challenge of Wernicke's encephalopathy.
Kohnke, S, Meek, CL
Annals of clinical biochemistry. 2021;(1):38-46
Abstract
Wernicke's encephalopathy is caused by thiamine deficiency and has a range of presenting features, including gait disturbance, altered cognitive state, nystagmus and other eye movement disorders. In the past, Wernicke's encephalopathy was described almost exclusively in the alcohol-dependent population. However, in current times, Wernicke's encephalopathy is also well recognized in many other patient groups, including patients following bariatric surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, cancer and pancreatitis. Early recognition of Wernicke's encephalopathy is vital, as prompt treatment can restore cognitive or ocular function and can prevent permanent disability. Unfortunately, Wernicke's encephalopathy is often undiagnosed - presumably because it is relatively uncommon and has a variable clinical presentation. Clinical biochemists have a unique role in advising clinicians about potential nutritional or metabolic causes of unexplained neurological symptoms and to prompt consideration of thiamine deficiency as a potential cause in high-risk patient groups. The aim of this review is to summarize the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of Wernicke's encephalopathy and to highlight some non-traditional causes, such as after bariatric surgery.
-
9.
Pediatric Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Steinhart, A, Tsao, D, Pratt, JSA
The Surgical clinics of North America. 2021;(2):199-212
Abstract
Childhood obesity can lead to comorbidities that cause significant decrease in health-related quality of life and early mortality. Recognition of obesity as a disease of polygenic etiology can help deter implicit bias. Current guidelines for treating severe obesity in children recommend referral to a multidisciplinary treatment center that offers metabolic and bariatric surgery at any age when a child develops a body mass index that is greater than 120% of the 95th percentile. Obesity medications and lifestyle counseling about diet and exercise are not adequate treatment for severe childhood obesity. Early referral can significantly improve quality and quantity of life.
-
10.
Bariatric Surgery and Liver Disease: General Considerations and Role of the Gut-Liver Axis.
Cerreto, M, Santopaolo, F, Gasbarrini, A, Pompili, M, Ponziani, FR
Nutrients. 2021;(8)
Abstract
Weight loss is a therapeutic solution for many metabolic disorders, such as obesity and its complications. Bariatric surgery aims to achieve lasting weight loss in all patients who have failed after multiple dietary attempts. Among its many benefits, it has been associated with the regression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is often associated with obesity, with evidence of substantial improvement in tissue inflammation and fibrosis. These benefits are mediated not only by weight loss, but also by favorable changes in systemic inflammation and in the composition of the gut microbiota. Changes in microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), capable of acting as endocrine mediators, and bile acids (BAs) as well as modifications of the gut-brain axis, are among the involved mechanisms. However, not all bariatric surgeries show beneficial effects on the liver; those leading to malabsorption can cause liver failure or a marked worsening of fibrosis and the development of cirrhosis. Nevertheless, there are still many unclear aspects, including the extent of the benefits and the magnitude of the risks of bariatric surgery in cirrhotic patients. In addition, the usefulness and the safety of these procedures in patients who are candidates to or who have undergone liver transplant need solid supporting evidence. This paper aims to review literature data on the use of bariatric surgery in the setting of chronic liver disease.