Obesity Medicine

ABSTRACT: A host of evidence supports the treatment of high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), which are effective in both primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). Studies have shown that statins prevent first cardiac events in otherwise healthy persons with elevated LDL cholesterol and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Statins are also associated with a reduction in cardiac death, stroke, hospitalization, and the need for revascularization in patients with established CHD and hyperlipidemia. Secondary prevention trials of statin therapy that included persons aged 65 to 75 years found significant risk reduction in this age group. Among the concerns associated with statin treatment are lack of proper titration, failure to achieve LDL target goals, and underuse in patients with established CHD.

Until recently, celiac diseasewas considered a rare disorder.However, new evidencesuggests that about1% of Americans are affected.As serologic tests that detect autoantigensinvolved in celiac diseasebecome more widely used, morecases will likely be identified.1

ABSTRACT: First steps in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are dietary modification, smoking cessation, and other lifestyle changes. Treatment of mild symptoms includes increased soluble dietary fiber and osmotic laxatives for constipation, antispasmodics for cramping, and over-the-counter antidiarrheals. For moderate disease, serotonergic agents work primarily in the intestine to relieve the global symptoms of IBS. Alosetron decreases gut motility and visceral sensitivity in women with chronic, severe diarrhea-predominant IBS who have not responded to conventional therapies. Tegaserod relieves pain, bloating, and constipation in women with constipation-predominant IBS. Psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, biofeedback, and other nonpharmacologic modalities may also be helpful for patients with IBS. Antidepressants are reserved for refractory symptoms; they can be combined with other modalities if needed.

The current obesity epidemic in the United States has fueled interest in nutrition and physical fitness. For many, the Internet has become a key source of information on these subjects.

ABSTRACT: The principal dietary strategy to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels is to decrease the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in the diet. Consumption of soluble fibers, plant sterol and stanol esters, nuts, and soy protein further reduces LDL-C levels. Soluble fibers, such as psyllium, lower LDL-C levels by increasing bile acid loss, interrupting enterohepatic circulation of cholesterol, and reducing hepatic cholesterol delivery. Plant stanol and sterol esters, which are added to margarine, mayonnaise, and olive oil, are effective LDL-C–lowering agents. Nuts such as almonds and walnuts reduce LDL-C levels and have been associated with a 30% to 50% reduction in coronary heart disease risk. A diet that combines the above elements, plus soy protein, reduces LDL-C levels as much as starting doses of statins.

ABSTRACT: The cardinal feature of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is abdominal pain or discomfort associated with altered bowel habits. Because no serologic marker or structural abnormality exists, the diagnosis is based on clinical findings. A systematic symptom-based approach, including the Rome II criteria, ensures diagnostic accuracy. Determine whether a specific event-such as gastroenteritis, antibiotic use, or a food-borne illness-precipitated the IBS symptoms. Be alert for warning signs of cancer, infection, or inflammatory bowel disease, such as fever or unexplained weight loss. Only minimal laboratory testing is required; however, further evaluation may be warranted if a patient does not respond to treatment or loses weight, if the dominant symptom changes, or if other "red flags" are identified.

A 23-year-old woman presents withweight loss, epigastric pain, abdominalfullness, and mild nausea. Shereports that she has had a slow-growingmass on her upper middle abdomen.She denies vomiting and doesnot have evidence of jaundice. Theonly significant finding in her medicalhistory is a myringotomy performedmany years earlier. She currentlytakes an oral contraceptive.

An 83-year-old woman is brought by her daughter for evaluation becauseof increasing confusion during the past few days. The patienthas early Alzheimer dementia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. She takes donepezil, 10 mg/d;lisinopril, 5 mg/d; and glipizide, 5 mg bid. She is unable to bathe and dress herself as well as previously,has been crying for no apparent reason, and has lost her appetite.

ABSTRACT: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a marker of low-grade vascular inflammation, reflects baseline inflammatory predilection-a key factor in the genesis and rupture of atheromatous plaque. Measurement of hs-CRP is recommended in persons who have an intermediate (10% to 20%) 10-year risk of coronary artery disease; a level above 3 mg/dL indicates higher cardiovascular risk. Although dietary therapy and statins may lower hs-CRP levels, such reductions have not been shown to prevent cardiovascular events or death. Elevated homocysteine levels have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Consider screening in patients with a personal or family history of cardiovascular disease who do not have well- established risk factors. Supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12 reduces homocysteine levels by about 30%. Elevated fibrinogen levels have been associated with ischemic heart disease and stroke; however, fibrinogen-lowering therapy has not led to better outcomes than standard treatment regimens.

ABSTRACT: The early signs of diabetic neuropathy can be detected during a routine clinical examination. Inspect patients' feet for deformities and sensory loss, which indicate risk of ulceration. Prolonged poor glycemic control, alcohol abuse, and obesity increase the risk of amputation. Autonomic dysfunction, which can lead to sexual dysfunction and gastropathy, can be detected by measurement of heart rate and blood pressure. A resting heart rate of about 100 beats per minute and a decrease of about 30 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure within 2 minutes of standing are abnormal findings. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies confirm the diagnosis. Improved metabolic control is the main goal of treatment. Analgesics, neuromodulators, and tricyclic antidepressants are effective for managing pain. In patients with autonomic neuropathy, treat the associated symptoms.

An 81-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain of 6 months’ duration, anorexia, and a 4.5-kg (10-lb) weight loss. Her history was otherwise unremarkable. She denied fever, chills, diarrhea, and vomiting. The pain was diffuse; no rebound or guarding was noted. The peripheral lymph nodes were not palpable.

ABSTRACT: To assess a child for overweight, begin by calculating his or her body mass index (BMI). Note that BMI is used differently in children than it is in adults. A child's BMI is plotted on a growth curve that reflects that child's age and gender. This yields a value-BMI-for-age-that provides a consistent measure across age groups. Children whose BMI-for-age is between 85% and 95% are at risk for becoming overweight. Any child whose BMI-for-age is 95% or more is considered overweight. The 2 main factors associated with overweight in children are poor eating habits and decreased physical activity. Recommend that children have at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Children should engage in moderate physical activity for at least 60 minutes on most days of the week, and TV viewing and computer activities should be limited to no more than 2 hours a day.

A 30-year-old man presentedwith severe left flankpain radiating to his abdomenand gross hematuriaof 5 to 10 days’ duration.He also reported a 4- to 6-monthhistory of nausea with intermittentvomiting, anorexia, and progressiveweight loss. He took no medicationsand had no allergies.

Backyard cookouts . . . picnics at the beach . . . these warm-weather pleasures can heighten your patients' risk of exposure to food-borne pathogens. An egg salad sandwich, left in the hot sun too long, can become a breeding ground for Salmonella, and undercooked burgers can harbor Escherichia coli O157:H7.

A 32-year-old woman presents with weight loss of 6.4 kg (14 lb) during the past 8 months and diarrhea of recentonset. Menstruation had ceased 10 weeks earlier. She appears anxious, with pressured speech. Physical examination detectsbaseline sinus tachycardia, sweaty palms, and a diffusely enlarged thyroid gland. Laboratory tests reveal a thyroid-stimulatinghormone (TSH) level of 0.00 µU/mL (normal, 0.45 to 4.5 µU/mL), a free thyroxine (FT4) level of 4.8 ng/dL (normal,0.61 to 1.76 ng/dL), and a positive thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) level with high titer.

Swelling of the lower legs broughtthis 57-year-old woman to a familypractice clinic. She had a history ofhyperthyroidism with weight loss,tachycardia, and anxiety. This conditionwas confirmed with blood testsand radioactive iodine uptake testing.

This 17-year-old presented with a 1-month history of weight loss, increased appetite, mild insomnia, hand tremor, palpitations, sweating, heat intolerance, and quick loss of temper. The number of daily bowel movements had increased from 1 to 2. There was no family history of thyroid disorders.

Because bariatric surgery has traditionally been associated with a high incidence of complications, it has been used primarily for superobese patients. A large body of evidence suggests that laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is a much safer procedure that is also very effective. This procedure offers an additional option to patients who might benefit from bariatric surgery when diet, exercise, and pharmacologic approaches have failed. Here we address questions primary care physicians often ask about the procedure.

For 2 months, an asymptomatic rash had been present on the upper arms of a 16-year-old boy of normal weight. The rash, as seen on the patient’s right arm, consisted of abundant fine papules. He had no other lesions.

Recreational diving continues to increase in popularity; as many as 15 million Americans are certified scuba divers. Although a few serious and possibly life-threatening conditions require recompression treatment, most diving injuries are uncomplicated and can be managed by the primary care physician. In this article, we address the questions most often asked about fitness and safety issues. In a future article, we will review the principal medical problems associated with sport diving.

ABSTRACT: Urinary incontinence is a widespread disorder that remains underdiagnosed, underreported, and undertreated. Nevertheless, it is highly treatable. Components of the initial office evaluation include a focused history taking, physical examination, a postvoid residual urine volume measurement, and urinalysis. Behavioral interventions are first-line therapy. These include bladder training, pelvic floor muscle training, biofeedback therapy, and caregiver-dependent interventions. The antispasmodics oxybutynin and tolterodine are the most commonly used agents for urge incontinence. Stress incontinence can be treated with pseudoephedrine or topical vaginal estrogen. Imipramine may be helpful in cases of nocturnal or mixed incontinence. Overflow incontinence caused by an anatomic obstruction may be treated with an α-blocker.

ABSTRACT: Consider prophylactic therapy for patients with frequent (5 or more per month), severe migraine attacks; commonly used agents include β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants, and antiepileptic agents. Daily or alternate-day use of aspirin or an NSAID may also be helpful, and limited data suggest angiotensin II receptor blockers may provide effective migraine prophylaxis. For treatment of acute migraine attacks, triptans have emerged as the most effective agents. Controlled clinical trials have demonstrated that all the triptans have similar efficacy. The optimal strategy for an acute migraine attack is to initially administer a therapeutic agent at a dose sufficient to relieve symptoms. Intervention during the early, mild stages of an attack is more likely to alleviate pain than intervention after moderate to severe symptoms occur.

Many of the 9.5 million cancer survivors in the United States seek advice about food, physical activity, dietary supplements, and complementary nutritional therapies. Recently, the American Cancer Society (ACS) issued a guide that provides clinicians with information that can help these patients make informed choices.1 Highlights of the report follow.

An obese 61-year-old man who hadchronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseand sleep apnea heard a “pop”in his stomach while lifting a heavyweight; severe abdominal pain followed.He was short of breath thenext morning, and his physician empiricallyprescribed cephalexin.

ABSTRACT: The metabolic syndrome, which presents as a cluster of atherogenic traits, confers an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) that may be greater than the sum of the risks associated with the individual components. The principal components of the syndrome are abdominal obesity, elevated triglyceride level, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose. The presence of 3 of the 5 characteristics establishes the diagnosis. First-line therapy for the metabolic syndrome consists of lifestyle modification measures, such as weight reduction and physical activity; however, pharmacologic treatment may be necessary. Statin therapy decreases the elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides characteristic of the metabolic syndrome. Control of nonlipid CHD risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes, is also critical.