Bowel symptoms are associated with hypovitaminosis D in individuals with medically complicated obesity.

We reported that 30% of individuals with medically complicated obesity have bowel symptoms, suggesting irritable bowel syndrome, but this prevalence of bowel symptoms is not related to body mass index or diabetes mellitus. Hypovitaminosis D is common in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus and is associated with depressive symptoms. Because antidepressants improve global symptoms in individuals with bowel symptoms, we hypothesize that the high prevalence of bowel symptoms in medically complicated obesity is associated with hypovitaminosis D.

Dysphagia after vertical sleeve gastrectomy: Evaluation of risk factors and assessment of endoscopic intervention.

Aim: To evaluate the risks of medical conditions, evaluate gastric sleeve narrowing, and assess hydrostatic balloon dilatation to treat dysphagia after vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG).

Methods: VSG is being performed more frequently worldwide as a treatment for medically-complicated obesity, and dysphagia is common post-operatively. We hypothesize that post-operative dysphagia is related to underlying medical conditions or narrowing of the gastric sleeve.

Venous thromboembolic events in pediatric trauma patients: is prophylaxis necessary?

Background: Venous thromboembolic events (VTE), such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, are major morbidities in adult trauma patients. Invasive and noninvasive prophylactic therapies are used to prevent VTE in trauma patients. The risk of VTE in pediatric patients is not well known.

Improved insulin sensitivity and body fat distribution in HIV-infected patients treated with rosiglitazone: a pilot study.

The insulin-sensitizing drugs thiazolidinediones (TZDs), such as rosiglitazone, improve insulin sensitivity and also promote adipocyte differentiation in vitro. The authors hypothesized that TZDs might be beneficial to patients with HIV disease to improve insulin sensitivity and the distribution of body fat by increasing peripheral fat. The ability of rosiglitazone (8 mg/d) to improve insulin sensitivity (from hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp) and to improve body fat distribution (determined from computed tomography measurements of visceral adipose tissue [VAT] and subcutaneous adipose tissue [SAT]) was determined in 8 HIV-positive patients.