Do obese patients after weight loss become metabolically normal?

Objective: To compare the metabolic cardiovascular risk factors of obese patients after weight loss and 4-year weight loss maintenance afterwards against a matched control group of subjects with a stable body weight and without history of weight loss.

Method: 50 obese non-diabetic subjects in the study group who previously lost 10% or more of their weight and afterwards entered a 4-year weight loss maintenance programme were matched by age, BMI and sex and compared to 50 weight-stable subjects without history of weight loss. The comparison between both groups was done in term of anthropometrical, metabolic and biological characteristics, early atherosclerosis and insulin sensitivity.

Multi-factorial approach associated with a new 'on/off' Orlistat® use in a weight loss maintenance programme: 4 years follow-up.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of a specific long-term programme for weight loss maintenance using a new 'on/off' Orlistat approach in obese subjects who previously lost more than 10% of their body weight.

Methods: 50 patients were followed up during 4 years; 34 completed the study. Subjects were followed up by physicians trained in obesity management.

A 2-year multifactor approach of weight loss maintenance.

The overarching problem in the treatment of obesity is the consistency with which weight in treatment is regained. The aim of this study is to follow-up the patient using a multifactor approach (cognitive-behavioral therapies, diet and physical activity counselling, an "on-off" prescription of orlistat) during 4 years in order to assess the efficacy of this specific long-term weight loss maintenance programme. Weight maintenance is defined as a weight change of <2.

Effect of orlistat in obese patients with binge eating disorder.

Objective: Binge eating disorder represents a significant public health problem, with up to 50% of weight loss program participants displaying this disorder. In previous studies with orlistat, patients with binge eating disorder were excluded. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of orlistat in obese patients with binge eating disorder.

Clinical efficacy and tolerability of a new levodopa/benserazide dual-release formulation in parkinsonian patients. L-Dopa Dual-Release Study Group.

To improve the response of parkinsonian patients to L-Dopa treatment, a new preparation of L-Dopa/benserazide with dual-release properties was developed. The breakable three-layer tablets with biphasic dissolution kinetics combine the advantages of the standard and sustained-release formulations. The clinical efficacy of this new formulation was assessed in an open-label, pilot study for 14 weeks conducted by Swiss neurologists.