Mediterranean Diet Is a Predictor of Progression of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in a Mediterranean Population: The ILERVAS Prospective Cohort Study.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains a major health issue, often developing silently as subclinical atherosclerotic disease (SAD). The Mediterranean diet (MDiet) is known for its cardiovascular benefits, but the combined influence of both MDiet adherence and physical activity (PA) on SAD progression has not been previously documented. We aimed to investigate how adherence to a healthy lifestyle, defined as MDiet adherence and PA level, influences SAD progression in subjects from the ILERVAS cohort follow-up.

A randomized phase 2b trial examined the effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon receptor agonist cotadutide on kidney outcomes in patients with diabetic kidney disease.

Cotadutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucagon receptor agonist that may improve kidney function in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this phase 2b study, patients with T2D and CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] of 20 or more and under 90 mL/min per 1.73 m and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio [UACR] over 50 mg/g) were randomized 1:1:1:1:1 to 26 weeks' treatment with standard of care plus subcutaneous cotadutide uptitrated to 100, 300, or 600 μg, or placebo daily (double-blind), or the GLP-1 agonist semaglutide 1 mg once weekly (open-label).

Discrimination and Stigma Associated with Obesity: A Comparative Study between Spain and Egypt - Data from the OBESTIGMA study.

Introduction: This study explores the under-investigated area of obesity-related discrimination and stigmatization across different countries, specifically comparing Spain (Europe) and Egypt (Middle East).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving 2,090 participants from both countries. Participants completed three well-validated questionnaires to assess their attitudes toward obesity, experiences of weight-related stigma, and internalization of weight bias: Antifat Attitudes Scale (AFA), Stigmatizing Situations Inventory (SSI), and Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS).

[Impact of obesity and diabetes on health and cardiovascular disease].

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. This risk is proportional to body mass index (BMI), is exacerbated by comorbidities such as hypertension and dyslipidemia, and includes emerging risk factors like insulin resistance, low-grade chronic inflammation, and thrombosis tendency. The distribution of adipose tissue, especially visceral fat and ectopic deposition in the heart, is another key factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases in these patients, along with atrial and ventricular remodeling.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Severe Obesity and Concordance between Invasive (Biopsy) and Noninvasive (OWLiver®) Diagnoses.

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now termed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is an escalating health concern linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. Despite liver biopsy being the gold standard, its invasiveness underscores the need for noninvasive diagnostic methods.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to assess MASLD using the noninvasive OWLiver® serum lipidomics test in a cohort of 117 patients with severe obesity undergoing bariatric surgery, comparing outcomes with liver biopsy.

Use of polygenic risk scores to assess weight loss after bariatric surgery: a 5-year follow-up study.

Background: Bariatric surgery (BS) is currently the most effective long-term treatment of severe obesity. However, the interindividual variability observed in surgical outcomes suggests a moderating effect of several factors, including individual genetic background. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of the genetic architecture of body mass index (BMI) to the variability in weight loss outcomes after BS.

Influence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease severity on carotid adventitial vasa vasorum.

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects a quarter of the world's population and encompasses a spectrum of liver conditions, from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to inflammation and fibrosis. In addition, NAFLD also links to extrahepatic conditions like diabetes or obesity. However, it remains unclear if NAFLD independently correlates with the onset and progression of atherosclerosis.

Genetic risk score based on obesity-related genes and progression in weight loss after bariatric surgery: a 60-month follow-up study.

Background: Obesity is a polygenic multifactorial disease. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified several common loci associated with obesity-related phenotypes. Bariatric surgery (BS) is the most effective long-term treatment for patients with severe obesity.

Role of Advanced Glycation End Products as New Biomarkers in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) may play a relevant role as inducers in the chronic inflammatory pathway present in immune-mediated diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). AGEs concentrations have been associated, with discrepant results to date, with some parameters such as disease activity or accrual damage, suggesting their potential usefulness as biomarkers of the disease. Our objectives are to confirm differences in AGEs levels measured by cutaneous autofluorescence between SLE patients and healthy controls (HC) and to study their correlation with various disease parameters.

Association between adherence to the mediterranean diet, physical activity, and sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) in a middle-aged population with cardiovascular risk: Insights from the ILERVAS cohort.

Introduction: Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (SAHS) is a common sleep disorder influenced by factors like age, gender, and obesity. The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and physical activity have shown health benefits in lung diseases, but their effects on SAHS remain underexplored.

Methods: In a cross-sectional analysis of 678 middle-aged individuals with low-to-moderate cardiovascular risk from the ILERVAS cohort, we assessed adherence to the MedDiet and physical activity levels using validated tools.

Mid-term Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease Remission and Predictive Factors: A Prospective Study with a Focus on Non-invasive Diagnosis.

Purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now termed metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), is a growing health concern associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgery offers potential benefits, but its impact on MAFLD remains incompletely understood, with scarce long-term follow-up prospective studies. Moreover, being liver biopsy the gold standard for liver condition measurement, the need for non-invasive techniques that allow the assessment of MAFLD development after bariatric surgery is imperative.

Assessment of obesity stigma and discrimination among Spanish subjects with a wide weight range: the OBESTIGMA study.

Introduction: This study aims to assess the extent of rejection and instances of stigmatization linked to obesity within the Spanish population, encompassing a diverse spectrum of weights ranging from normal weight to morbid obesity. Additionally, the study seeks to identify the primary factors influencing these experiences and further examines the impact of bariatric surgery on such dynamics.

Materials And Methods: Multicenter observational study with involving a total of 1,018 participants who were recruited from various Obesity Units.

Assessment of dyspneic sensation in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) should be considered a susceptible group for pulmonary dysfunction. So, we aimed to evaluate the sensation of breathlessness in this population by administering two well-validated questionnaires.

Methods: This is a crosssectional study with 592 people without known respiratory disease (353 with T2D) who answered the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) questionnaire.

Low adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with increased prevalence and number of atherosclerotic plaques in the ILERVAS cohort.

Background And Aims: Current research on the association between dietary patterns and subclinical atherosclerotic disease (SAD) is still limited, and published results are inconsistent and often consist of small population sizes. We aimed to evaluate the association between the Mediterranean diet (MDiet) and SAD in a large cohort of Mediterranean individuals.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included 8116 subjects from the ILERVAS cohort.

Cumulative tobacco consumption has a dose-dependent effect on atheromatosis burden and improves severe atheromatosis prediction in asymptomatic middle-aged individuals: The ILERVAS study.

Background And Aims: Sex-specific impact of cumulative tobacco consumption (CTC) on atheromatosis extension and total plaque area remains unknown. We aimed to determine the impact of CTC in atheromatosis localization and burden.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis in 8330 asymptomatic middle-aged individuals.

PKN1 Kinase: A Key Player in Adipocyte Differentiation and Glucose Metabolism.

Adipocyte dysfunction is the driver of obesity and correlates with insulin resistance and the onset of type 2 diabetes. Protein kinase N1 (PKN1) is a serine/threonine kinase that has been shown to contribute to Glut4 translocation to the membrane and glucose transport. Here, we evaluated the role of PKN1 in glucose metabolism under insulin-resistant conditions in primary visceral adipose tissue (VAT) from 31 patients with obesity and in murine 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of hypoglycaemia after bariatric surgery.

Postprandial hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia is a common complication of bariatric surgery. Although in general its evolution is mild and self-limited, it can lead to neuroglycopaenia and compromise the patient's safety and quality of life. The aim of this document is to offer some recommendations to facilitate the clinical care of these complex patients, reviewing the aetiopathogenesis, its diagnosis and treatment that, sequentially, will include dietary and pharmacological measures and surgery in refractory cases.

Development and Validation of a Personalized, Sex-Specific Prediction Algorithm of Severe Atheromatosis in Middle-Aged Asymptomatic Individuals: The ILERVAS Study.

Background: Although European guidelines recommend vascular ultrasound for the assessment of cardiovascular risk in low-to-moderate risk individuals, no algorithm properly identifies patients who could benefit from it. The aim of this study is to develop a sex-specific algorithm to identify those patients, especially women who are usually underdiagnosed.

Methods: Clinical, anthropometrical, and biochemical data were combined with a 12-territory vascular ultrasound to predict severe atheromatosis (SA: ≥ 3 territories with plaque).

Beyond the Glycaemic Control of Dapagliflozin: Impact on Arterial Stiffness and Macroangiopathy.

Dapagliflozin is a selective sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and chronic kidney disease. In all indications, treatment can be initiated in adults with estimated glomerular filtration rate of at least 25 mL/min/1.73 m.

Beyond the Glycaemic Control of Dapagliflozin: Microangiopathy and Non-classical Complications.

Dapagliflozin is a selective sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (EF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In monotherapy or as an additive therapy, dapagliflozin aids glycaemic control, is associated with reductions in blood pressure and weight, and promotes a favourable lipid profile. In this review, we address the impact of dapagliflozin on cardiovascular risk factors and common microangiopathic complications such as kidney disease and retinopathy in patients with T2DM.

Prediabetes Is Associated with Increased Prevalence of Sleep-Disordered Breathing.

Type 2 diabetes leads to severe nocturnal hypoxemia, with an increase in apnea events and daytime sleepiness. Hence, we assessed sleep breathing parameters in the prediabetes stage. A cross-sectional study conducted on 966 middle-aged subjects without known pulmonary disease (311 patients with prediabetes and 655 controls with normal glucose metabolism) was conducted.

Weak Association between Skin Autofluorescence Levels and Prediabetes with an ILERVAS Cross-Sectional Study.

A large body of evidence demonstrates a relationship between hyperglycemia and increased concentrations of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). However, there is little information about subcutaneous AGE accumulation in subjects with prediabetes, and whether or not this measurement could assist in the diagnosis of prediabetes is unclear. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 4181 middle-aged subjects without diabetes.