Biomedical subjects

A Golay

Publications and source records attributed to A Golay.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Rimonabant improves cardiometabolic risk profile in obese or overweight subjects: overview of RIO studies].

RIO (Rimonabant In Obesity and related disorders) is a large phase 3 programme (>6600 patients) evaluating the efficacy and safety of rimonabant (5 or 20 mg/day), a CBI receptor antagonist of endocannabinoid system, in obese or overweight patients with or without comorbidities (RIO-Europe and RIO-North America), with untreated dyslipidaemia (RIO-Lipids) or with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin or sulfonylurea (RIO-Diabetes). Compared to placebo, rimonabant 20 mg/day consistently increases weight loss, reduces waist circumference, increases HDL cholesterol, lowers triglyceride levels, diminishes insulin resistance, and reduces the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Almost half of the metabolic effects, including adiponectin increase, occur beyond weight loss, suggesting a direct peripheral effect of rimonabant.

Anti-Obesity Agents↗

PubMed2006

[The role of the pharmacist in patient education].

Interdisciplinary programs promoting therapeutic education rarely involve the pharmacist, though his major contribution in the health care system and his multiple competencies are of a big help towards patients treatment adherence. As a regular patients confident, specially for those who require a long term treatment, the pharmacist deserves a better acknowledgment for his therapeutic reinforcement's contribution. A research work has been done in the field of therapeutic education to inscribe pharmacist's engagement in this topic. Instruments have been worked out to measure and to estimate relevant competencies used by pharmacists when answering patients needs. More open minded discussions and better rearrangement in the pharmacy in order to respect patients intimacy would contribute to enhance his competencies which are largely appreciated by the public.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

[Modifying our "obesogenic" environment: which hints?].

Overweight is nowadays a major problem of public health in Switzerland. Swiss people eat too much, too much fat, sugar and salt! Most efficient public health strategies are global and also apply to environmental modifications, an important determinant to change individual behaviours. Today, our environment is "obesogenic": unlimited access to food, food industry marketing, lifestyle changes. As global programmes for smoking cessation and cardiovascular diseases prevention, it is urgent to propose interventions taking into account all environmental factors which could support individuals in their efforts of changes.

Environment↗

PubMed2006

[The keys to lose weight].

Losing weight is not only a pound's problem! It is a long and strenuous process. Rapidly, the care giver or the patient may be demotivated by lack of success. It is important to systematize the follow-up and sustain motivation. Firstly, this article points out the difficulties met during the follow-up: these difficulties linked both to the patient and the health care provider could be at the origin of resistance to weight loss. Secondly, we propose seven criteria to be evaluated in order to follow the patients towards the process of weight loss.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

[Patient's resistance: to what? to whom?].

An approach for "resisting patients" to treatments and weight loss programme is proposed. Patient's resistance is a sign of vitality, a source of information for the health care provider and an invitation to question the nature of therapeutic relationship. Resistance can constitute a "block road" which the health care provider may not be able to avoid unless initiating a process of changes based on reciprocal responsibilities and implications. Towards a patient resisting to change, it is appropriate to understand how he resists, to what and, perhaps to whom. Practical proposals to "do and to be with a resisting patient" can be applied by health care providers taking care of patients suffering from binge eating disorders and obesity.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

[New obesity and metabolic syndrome treatment: rimonabant].

CBI endocannabinoid system receptors localized in the hypothalamus and the nucleus accumbens are known to regulate hunger. Hyperstimulation of the CBI receptors lead to an increase of food intake, but also to an increase of lipogenesis, decrease of adiponectin and increase of insulin resistance. Rimonabant is the first CBI central and peripheral blocker, tested in international trials (RIO-lipids, RIO-Europe and RIO-North America). Significant results on weight reduction, increased adiponectin and improved metabolic syndrome have been demonstrated. Rimonabant is a new pharmacological therapy and very interesting for tackling obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Eating↗

PubMed2005

The effect of insulin on cardiac autonomic balance predicts weight reduction after gastric bypass.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive role of autonomic reactivity in body weight loss induced by gastric bypass. METHODS: A group of 22 morbidly obese subjects, who were due to undergo a gastric bypass, were submitted, before surgery, to a euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp, during which a continuous recording of the ECG was performed. The effect of insulin on cardiac autonomic balance was evaluated by performing power spectral analysis of heart rate variability. The low-to-high frequency ratio was calculated before and during the clamp and its modifications were expressed as % delta low-to-high frequency ratio (%Delta L: H). RESULTS: Preoperative %Delta L: H showed a significant (p=0.0009, r2=0.43), positive relationship to the reduction of body weight, measured 1 year after surgery and expressed as % excess weight loss (% EWL). Preoperative BMI was also significantly (p=0.0009, r2=0.43) negatively related to the 12-month % EWL. In a multiple regression analysis, %Delta L: H remained a significant (p=0.003), independent predictor of body weight loss, even when preoperative BMI or age, % fat mass, insulinaemia and glucose disposal were taken into account. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The best correction of excess body weight was achieved by those obese subjects who had a preserved capacity to shift their cardiac autonomic balance towards a sympathetic prevalence in response to an euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms through which the autonomic nervous system influences weight reduction.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Diabetics travelling].

As anyone else, diabetic patients are confronted to professional or private travels. This article is meant to gather some practical recommendations to allow patients to travel safely. All travels must be thoroughly prepared and diabetes must stabilised at best before departure. To avoid severe hypoglycaemias and ketosis are the medical objectives. It is therefore essential that patients take with them their injection material and a sufficient carbohydrate back up. The prevention of diarrheas and vomiting, as well as the adaptation of treatment to jet-lag and all kind of physical activity are necessary to have a nice travel. Some specific aspects of travelling by car, boat or plane are discussed.

Diabetes Complications↗

PubMed2005

[Burden of obesity: from epidemic to costs].

Nowadays, we count over 300 million obese in the world and this figure could double in twenty years. In industrialised countries, the prevalence of obesity is between 15 and 30%. In 2002, one third of the Swiss population suffers from excess body weight and obesity represents 7.7%. An increase of daily energy intake and a reduction of physical activity are the main causes. In 2001, the global costs induced by obesity and excess body weight in Switzerland reached CHF 2,690 billion. 98.4% of costs are due to obesity complications and only 1.6% are linked to the treatment of obesity without complication. Further prevention could be done with children and within a poor socio-economic population.

Disease Outbreaks↗

PubMed2005

[Dieting or non-dieting?].

Dieting is a widespread behaviour responding to the public health recommendations. In the setting of weight cycling, this positive health behaviour can have physical and psychological negative consequences. This review of interventions is focused on the psychological consequences of dieting among the obese population. Based on the randomised controlled trials published in the last ten years, it seems that our biggest challenge should be the modification of our programs and the whole mind set regarding the treatment of obesity.

Behavior Therapy↗

PubMed2005

[Managing obesity and binge eating disorders].

Binge eating disorder is frequent in patients suffering from obesity. Such disorders must be detected through the DSM-IV criteria. Binge eating disorder must be taken into account during the treatment in order to diminish the relapse and the "yoyo" phenomenon. The treatment consists in a cognitive-behavioural therapy associated with nutritional approach and favouring physical activity. Even if eating disorders are treated as a priority in psychotherapy, the GP's caring can be done at different levels: examine patients' expectations, weight loss objectives 1-3 kg/month), their motivation to change, encourage them to structure their meals, or help them find binge eating stimuli and their own strategies.

Bulimia↗

PubMed2005

Link between obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The relationship between obesity and diabetes is of such interdependence that the term 'diabesity' has been coined. The passage from obesity to diabetes is made by a progressive defect in insulin secretion coupled with a progressive rise in insulin resistance. Both insulin resistance and defective insulin secretion appear very prematurely in obese patients, and both worsen similarly towards diabetes. Thus, the classic 'hyperbolic relationship' between insulin resistance and insulin secretion and the 'glucose allostasis concept' remain prevailing concepts in this particular field of knowledge. An increase in overall fatness, preferentially of visceral as well as ectopic fat depots, is specifically associated with insulin resistance. The accumulation of intramyocellular lipids may be due to reduced lipid oxidation capacity. The ability to lose weight is related to the capacity to oxidize fat. Thus, a relative defect in fat oxidation capacity is responsible for energy economy and hampered weight loss.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗

PubMed2005

Orlistat in responding obese type 2 diabetic patients: meta-analysis findings and cost-effectiveness as rationales for reimbursement in Sweden and Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to review the clinical and economic rationale for the reimbursement of orlistat in responding obese patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Data from seven randomized controlled clinical trials of orlistat in overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes were pooled. A subgroup analysis involving patients who achieved a response (defined as a weight loss of >/=5% after 12 weeks of treatment) was conducted. The outcomes of the pooled analysis were then used to construct a Markov health economic model covering an 11-y period. The incidences of diabetes-related micro- and macrovascular complications were derived from the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study. The effects of changes in body mass index, and the impact of micro- and macrovascular complications on utilities were derived from published sources. Publicly available cost data were used and are presented here in 2001 Euros. Discounting of 3% was applied. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis was conducted to examine the robustness of results. RESULTS: A total of 1249 patients treated with orlistat and 1230 given placebo were eligible for the intent-to-treat analysis. At the end of the study period, 23% of orlistat patients achieved a weight reduction of >/=5%. These patients showed a mean decrease in HbA1C of 1.16%, a weight reduction of 8.6 kg, a reduction in total cholesterol of 5.3% and a reduction in systolic blood pressure of 5.2 mmHg. The base-case economic analysis revealed costs per quality-adjusted life year gained of euro14 000 in Sweden and euro13 600 in Switzerland. CONCLUSION: The data presented here support the utilization and reimbursement of orlistat in overweight and obese diabetic patients who respond to the treatment.

Anti-Obesity Agents↗

PubMed2005

Plantar pressure distribution in Type 2 diabetic patients without peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease.

AIMS: To evaluate the distribution of plantar pressure during walking on a level gradient in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus without any microvascular and macrovascular complications and to compare them with non-diabetic control subjects. METHODS: A group of 15 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus without either peripheral neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease (PVD), as well as without both diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy, was compared with a group of 15 non-diabetic subjects matched for age, sex, body weight and height. The plantar pressure and duration of plantar pressure were measured on big toe, 1st, 3rd and 5th metatarsal heads, and on the heel of both feet by Force Sensing Resistors sensors. The static contact plantar surface was measured by method of Harris footprints. RESULTS: The diabetic group showed a significant increase in peak plantar pressure at the level of the big toe [right foot 205 +/- 94 vs. 101 +/- 39 kPa (mean +/- SD), P = 0.01; left foot 165 +/- 61 vs. 104 +/- 43 kPa, P = 0.05] and 5th metatarsal head (right foot 160 +/- 68 vs. 97 +/- 32 kPa, P = 0.05; left foot 174 +/- 65 vs. 91 +/- 42 kPa, P = 0.02) with a significantly prolonged duration of plantar pressure at each step. Under the heel, the peak plantar pressure was significantly lower in the diabetic group (right foot 187 +/- 54 vs. 321 +/- 91 kPa, P = 0.05; left foot 184 +/- 63 vs. 298 +/- 110 kPa, P = 0.05). No significant differences were noted under 1st and 3rd metatarsal heads. The contact plantar surface was significantly reduced in the diabetic group compared with control subjects (right foot 118.2 +/- 10.8 vs. 141.5 +/- 12.7 cm2, P = 0.05; left foot 127.5 +/- 8.7 vs. 140.0 +/- 11.1 cm2, P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We observed an anterior displacement of weight-bearing during walking on a level gradient as well as a reduced static contact plantar surface in diabetic patients without evidence of any complications compared with the non-diabetic control group. This could be a premature sign of peripheral neuropathy, which is not evaluated on clinical examination or quantitative sensory testing used in clinics.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

New interdisciplinary cognitive-behavioural-nutritional approach to obesity treatment: a 5-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective case-control study was to assess the long-term effectiveness of interdisciplinary cognitive-behavioural-nutritional therapy, combined with daily physical exercise and relaxation sessions, on weight and psychosocial issues during a 6-week in-hospital stay. SETTING: Five years (60 +/- 1 months) later, the patients were readmitted for a one-day medical evaluation including a physical examination and laboratory work-up, and the completion of a detailed questionnaire focusing on dietary and psychosocial factors that may affect weight loss/regain. SUBJECTS: The follow-up population consisted of 55 morbidly obese subjects aged 49.5 +/- 2 years (45 females and 10 males; BMI: 40 +/- 0.7 kg/m2). During their initial 6-week in-hospital stay, they lost an average of 7.6 +/- 0.4 kg. RESULTS: Five years later, 25.5% of the patients had lost a further 11.9 +/- 1.8 kg, 20% maintained their initial weight loss (0.6 +/- 0.4 kg), and 54.5% regained weight (10.4 +/- 1 kg). The weight changes significant correlated with the degree of psychosocial difficulties (p < 0.001), eating behaviour problems (p < 0.001), dietary fat intake (p < 0.005) and total energy intake (p < 0.05). Fasting plasma insulin and blood glucose concentrations were significantly higher in the patients who regained weight after five years, and significantly lower in those who had lost more weight. CONCLUSION: As a whole, these results show the efficacy of an interdisciplinary approach to the long-term treatment of morbidly obese patients. It is likely that an outpatient psychological follow-up would have improved this therapeutic success.

Body Mass Index↗

PubMed2004

Cognitive-behavioral therapy with simultaneous nutritional and physical activity education in obese patients with binge eating disorder.

An important problem with obese patients suffering from binge eating disorders (BED) is to treat their dysfunctional eating patterns while initiating a weight loss. We propose to assess a cognitive-behavioral therapy combined with a nutritional and a physical activity program. Our purpose is to verify that the addition of a nutritional and a physical program leads to a significant weight loss and enables psychological improvement. The patients (n=61) participated in a 12 weekly sessions group treatment of either a purely cognitive-behavioral therapy, or a cognitive-behavioral therapy associated to a nutritional approach mainly focused on fat restriction, or to a cognitive-behavioral therapy combined with a nutritional and a physical activity approach. The mean weight loss is significant (p<0.01) after the association of the cognitive-behavioral therapy and the nutritional education, but is even more significant (p<0.001) after the combination of a cognitive-behavioral therapy with a nutritional education and a physical activity program. Depression scores decrease in the three approaches, anxiety (p<0.05) results improve only in the combined nutritional, physical activity and cognitive-behavioral approach. Eating disorders improved significantly in all three approaches even if improvements in subscales seem more important in the combined approach. Finally, exercise seems to be a positive addition to the nutritional cognitive-behavioral therapy since it decreases negative mood, improves eating disorders and leads to an effective body weight loss.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

A new table for prevention of hypoglycaemia during physical activity in type 1 diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: The ability to adjust both insulin and nutrition to allow safe participation in physical activity and high performance has recently been recognized as an important management strategy in these patients. In particular, the important role played by the patient in self-monitoring blood glucose during physical activity and then using these data to improve performance and decrease hypoglycaemias is now fully accepted. The primary objective of this study is to compare different therapeutic options in exercising Type 1 diabetic patients (n=67) with or without CHO compensation and/or with or without insulin dosage reduction in order to prevent hypoglycaemias during and after exercise. METHODS: Sixty-seven type 1 diabetic patients were aggregated into four treatment categories according to four strategies to prevent hypoglycaemia episodes, with or without carbohydrate compensation and/or with or without insulin dosage reduction. The protocol included 7 different disciplines and 9 subgroups according to 3 different durations (<20 min., 20-60 min., > 60 min.) and 3 intensity degrees (<60% of Maximal Heart Rate, 60-75% and > 75%). RESULTS: Our study shows that by replacing adequately the carbohydrates during the practice of physical exercise it is possible to prevent almost all hypoglycaemia episodes, independently of the insulin dosage adjustments. Furthermore, the amount of extra-carbohydrates correlates well with the number of hypoglycaemia while the decrease in insulin dosage does not. CONCLUSION: Adequate carbohydrate replacement during and after exercise seems to be the most important measure to prevent hypoglycaemia. However, the insulin dosage adjustment does not play such an important role. A decrease from 20 to 30% seems reasonable only for a long duration exercise (> 60 min.). Finally, a new user-friendly table for prevention of hypoglycaemia is proposed for physical activity of different intensity and duration.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Relationship between sympathetic reactivity and body weight loss in morbidly obese subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible role of peripheral sympathetic activity in gastric bypass-induced body weight loss. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 42 morbidly obese patients (sex: 36 f/6 m; BMI: 46.0+/-0.7 kg/m(2)) undergoing a gastric bypass, the skin vasoconstrictor reflex in answer to a deep inspiration was measured by laser Doppler fluximetry. The extent of vasoconstriction, measured at the second finger of the left hand, was expressed as percent reduction of the basal blood flux (% vasoconstriction). Insulin sensitivity was assessed before surgery in a subset of patients (n=11), by the method of euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic clamp. Body weight and composition were evaluated before, and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. At the same time points, energy intake (kJ/day) was evaluated by means of both food record diary and alimentary anamnesis. RESULTS: The % vasoconstriction, which was significantly (P=0.01) greater in normoglycemic subjects than in diabetic ones, was also significantly (P=0.03) related to the extent of insulin sensitivity measured during the euglycemic clamp. The % vasoconstriction showed a significant (P>0.0001), positive correlation with weight reduction obtained between the 6th and 12th months following surgery; as a consequence, % vasoconstriction was significantly (P=0.0004) related to the overall body weight loss achieved during the year following the operation. These correlations remained significant in multiple regression analysis with adjustment for age, initial body weight, plasma glucose and insulin (P=0.0007 and 0.006, respectively). The % vasoconstriction was also significantly (P=0.0006), negatively related to energy intake measured 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In conditions of stable body weight, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) reactivity is influenced by the degree of insulin resistance. A high capacity to activate the SNS, measured before surgery, is associated with both a larger gastric bypass-induced weight loss and a lower energy intake, at the phase of weight stabilization.

Adult↗