In this editorial, we comment on the article by He et al , specifically in relation to the efficacy of bariatric surgery vs glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) therapy in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) associated with obesity. Bariatric surgery has now also been shown to be safe and effective in pre-teens and teenagers with obesity and T2D, but information on newer GLP-1RAs in these groups is predictably limited. In older individuals (age > 65 years), both bariatric surgery and GLP-1RA therapy improve cardiovascular outcomes. Bariatric surgery is not infrequently associated with post-operative postprandial hypoglycemia, which is not the case with GLP-1RAs and, paradoxically, there is evidence that GLP-1RAs may reduce both the frequency and severity of postprandial hypoglycemia. Comparative trials of the long-term efficacy of bariatric surgery and GLP-1RAs are indicated.
A double-blind randomized study in 230 Malaysian patients with duodenal ulcer was conducted to compare the proton-pump inhibitor, omeprazole 20 mg, given once daily in the morning, with ranitidine 300 mg, administered once daily at night. After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, 222 and 220 patients, respectively, were evaluable according to the study protocol. Omeprazole produced significantly higher healing rates than ranitidine at both 2 weeks (75% versus 46%, respectively, P less than 0.0001) and 4 weeks (97% versus 83%, respectively, P = 0.001). Ulcer symptoms were relieved more rapidly by omeprazole than ranitidine. After 2 weeks, daytime epigastric pain was reported by 30% of ranitidine-treated patients but only by 15% of omeprazole-treated patients, which is a statistically significant difference (P = 0.004). No major clinical or biochemical side effects were recorded for either omeprazole or ranitidine. In conclusion, omeprazole 20 mg was found to be superior to ranitidine 300 mg administered once daily for the treatment of duodenal ulcer as measured by ulcer healing and pain relief.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) represents one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy and is important to the well-being of both mothers and offspring in the short and long term. Lifestyle intervention remains the mainstay for the management of GDM. The efficacy of nutritional approaches (
Introduction To use the ‘gold standard’ technique of scintigraphy to quantify gastric emptying (GE) as soon as practicable during an admission with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and following its resolution at least 7 days later. Research design and methods Five patients with type 1 diabetes, age 29±12 years; Body Mass Index 23±3 kg/m 2 ; hemoglobin A1c 11.3%±1.9%, were studied during an admission with DKA and following its resolution. Solid and liquid GE were measured using scintigraphy. Solid emptying was assessed via the percentage intragastric retention at 100 min and that of liquid by the 50% emptying time. Results There was no difference in either solid or liquid GE at the initial study compared with the follow-up. Median (IQR) solid retention was 47±20 versus 38%±33%, respectively; p=0.31, and time to empty 50% of liquid was 37±25 min versus 35±15 min, p=0.31, at the initial and follow-up GE study, respectively. Conclusions GE of solids and liquids is not affected by moderate DKA, inferring that earlier reintroduction of oral intake may be appropriate.
Abstract Context Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are established therapeutics for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Among other mechanisms, they slow gastric emptying and motility of the small intestine. This helps limiting postprandial glycemic excursions and reducing chylomicron formation and triglyceride absorption. Conversely, motility effects may have detrimental consequences, e.g., retained gastric contents at endoscopy or general anesthesia, potentially complicated by pulmonary aspiration, or bowel obstruction. Evidence Acquisition We searched the PubMed database for studies involving GLP-1RA therapy and adverse gastrointestinal/biliary events. Evidence Synthesis Retained gastric contents at the time of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy are found more frequently with GLP-1 RAs, but rarely are associated with pulmonary aspiration. Well-justified recommendations for the peri-procedural management of GLP-1RAs (e.g., whether to withhold these medications, and for how long) are compromised by limited evidence. Important aspects to be considered are (a) their long half-lives, (b) the capacity of GLP-1 receptor agonism to slow gastric emptying even at physiological GLP-1 concentrations, (c) tachyphylaxis observed with prolonged treatment, and (d) the limited effect on gastric emptying in individuals with slow gastric emptying before initiating treatment. Little information is available on the influence of diabetes mellitus itself (i.e., in the absence of GLP-1 RA treatment) on retained gastric contents and pulmonary aspiration. Conclusions Prolonged fasting periods regarding solid meal components, point-of-care ultrasound examination for retained gastric content, and the use of prokinetic medications like erythromycin may prove helpful, and are an important area needing further study to increase patient safety for those treated with GLP-1 RAs.
Background: Infected pancreatic necrosis is associated with the risk of considerable morbidity and mortality. Preventing the development of infection in pancreatic necrosis may help reduce the poor outcomes in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Aim : The aim of the current review was to determine the benefit of selective digestive decontamination (SDD) in improving outcomes in SAP. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Methodology Register, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and Health Technology Assessment, until June 2011 without any restrictions. Papers reporting on experimental animal studies and clinical studies on patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) who were treated with SDD, either alone or in combination with intravenous antibiotic and antifungals in comparison with other interventions, antibiotics, or placebo, were eligible for inclusion. Outcome data collected were duration and regimen of SDD used, short- and long-term morbidity and mortality rates, length of hospital stay, incidence and rates of bacterial/fungal infection. Results: A total of 53 articles were identified from the literature search of which 10 (7 animals, 3 humans) were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. There was only one randomized controlled trial among the human studies. Most studies used a combination of SDD and intravenous antibiotics precluding a clear interpretation of the individual benefit of SDD. Although SDD significantly reduced pancreatic infection rates, its benefit on patient survival is unclear. Conclusion: Although SDD significantly reduced pancreatic infection rates and overall survival in experimental animal models, in human studies this benefit is not clearly appreciated owing to the confounding effects of concurrently administered intravenous antibiotics. Hence, further controlled studies are needed to determine the benefit of SDD in AP in humans.
Background: The pattern of the plasma glucose response curve during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is of prognostic significance with “biphasic” when compared with “monophasic” patterns being associated with greater insulin sensitivity/secretion and a reduced risk of progression to diabetes. The relationships of the glucose response curves with gastric emptying and incretin hormone secretion are not known. Methods: Thirty-six adults (age > 65 years) without known diabetes consumed a 300 mL drink containing 75 g glucose and 150 mg C13-acetate at baseline and follow-up after 5.8 ± 0.1 years. Plasma glucose, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose independent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and insulin were measured, and participants classified according to the pattern of their glucose response. Gastric emptying was measured on breath samples (stable isotope breath test). Results: At baseline, 22 participants had a “monophasic” and 14 a “biphasic” glucose response. The 1 h plasma glucose response curve was greater and the GLP-1 AUC0–120 min and insulin secretion lower in the monophasic group. There were no differences in gastric emptying, GIP or insulin sensitivity. At the follow-up, the 1 h glucose response curve was greater again, while GLP-1 AUC0–120 min was lower in the monophasic group. Conclusions: A biphasic curve is associated with a higher 60 min glucose response curve and increases in GLP-1, but no difference in either GIP or gastric emptying.
Torsades de pointes after terfenadine-itraconazole interaction An editorial error occurred in this drug point by S Pohjola- Sintonen and colleagues (16 January, p 186).In the fourth sentence of the fourth paragraph the highest level of terfenadine's acid metabolite is given as 160 pg/I; this should read 160 j±g/l.