TOPLINE: Continuing metformin throughout the first trimester in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) showed the potential to reduce miscarriage risk (odds ratio [OR], 0.64) and increase clinical pregnancy rates (OR, 1.57) compared with placebo. A meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials involving 1708 women suggested that stopping metformin at pregnancy confirmation might be less … Read more
When Shannon Ashley, now 43 years old, was in her tweens and teens, her legs were noticeably large. Shannon Ashley “Once I hit 12, my calves were unusually large, like tree trunks,” Ashley said. She tried to hide her outsized lower extremities, a contrast to her slender upper body, beneath wide-leg pants, and the size … Read more
TOPLINE: Most patients with psoriasis experienced clinical improvement or remission after metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) in a systematic review. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a systematic review of 14 studies that included 169 patients (mean age, 46.8 years; 74% women) with psoriasis who underwent MBS. Participants underwent various surgical procedures; gastric bypass was the most common … Read more
With the explosive popularity of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists, physicians say a key avenue in treating obesity is being underutilized by many clinicians: First-generation anti-obesity medications (AOMs). “First-generation medications don’t get as much attention as the newer ones,” said Courtney Younglove, MD, an obesity specialist and founder of Heartland Weight Loss in Overland Park, … Read more
Primary care practices are seeing an uptick in patients inquiring about glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications due to both media hype and sizzle-reel stories they see on social media. If your patients start an appointment with their own agenda about wanting a prescription for these medications, there are ways to pause the … Read more
This transcript has been edited for clarity. Hi, my name is Dr Sarah Barenbaum. Today, we’re going to be talking about weight-loss goals and realistic weight-loss goals. One of the first questions patients always ask me is, “What should my goal weight be?” For a long time, medical advice has really been focused on BMI, … Read more
TOPLINE: A higher body mass index (BMI) across all ages as well as significant weight gain during adulthood were associated with a greater risk for renal cell carcinoma, while a BMI reduction of 10% or more in adulthood, especially after age 50 years, was associated with a lower risk for renal carcinoma, a new study … Read more
Is obesity among the most misunderstood, misclassified, and mistreated diseases? Over the past 30 years, researchers have not only identified a key hormone (leptin) that helps regulate appetite and body weight, but they’ve also determined the biologic underpinnings (eg, altered central nervous system pathways associated with energy balance) and discovered that obesity is often genetically … Read more
Researchers have developed and internally validated a simple score using clinical factors that can help estimate the likelihood of advanced colorectal neoplasia in adults younger than age 45 years. While colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence has declined overall due to screening, early-onset CRC is on the rise, particularly in individuals younger than 45 years — an … Read more
Results from a new study showed no apparent benefit in total weight loss when patients are treated with the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist semaglutide prior to bariatric surgery, adding to the data on if and when weight loss drugs should be used in conjunction with surgery. While the findings suggested patients choosing bariatric … Read more