Search

Background: Historically, DeMeester score over 14.7 has been used to diagnose GERD. The 2022 American Gastroenterological Association clinical guidelines define GERD based on acid exposure time (AET) instead of DeMeester score. We aim to compare outcomes after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) in patients based on differing GERD diagnostic criteria. Methods: Patients who underwent first-time LNF between 2009 and 2017 were identified. Demographics, objective GERD evaluation, and outcomes were maintained in an IRB-approved database. Disease-specific quality of life was assessed with a survey (GERD-HRQL) with higher values representing more symptomatic disease. Descriptive statistics, Fischer's exact test and logistic regression were used to analyze the data, p-value < 0.05. Results: 225 patients were stratified into two groups: borderline GERD (AET 4–6%, n = 25.11%) and GERD (AET ≥ 6%, n = 200.89%). The mean age was 50.1 ± 13.4 years and 169 (75%) were female. Baseline GERD-HRQL was lower in the borderline group (24.3 vs 30.0, p = 0.031). Short-term (5 weeks [IQR 4, 8]), medium-term (14 months [IQR 7.25, 31]) and long-term (6.75 years [IQR 5.5, 8]) follow-up was performed. GERD-HRQL scores did not differ between borderline and GERD patients at short-(6.0 vs 7.1, p = 0.630), medium-(12.0 vs 12.1, p = 0.818), or long-term follow-up (10.0 vs 9.0, p = 0.757). The absolute long-term improvement in GERD-HRQL was −12.3 (p = 0.022) vs. −21.3 (p < 0.001). At long-term follow-up there was no difference in PPI use (50% vs 47%, p = 0.852), satisfaction (58% vs 76%, p = 0.187), willingness to repeat the procedure given the benefit of hindsight (75% vs 85%, p = 0.386), or need for reoperation (14% vs 13%, p = 0.910). Conclusion: Both patients with borderline GERD and GERD achieve GERD-HRQL improvements at 7 years following laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and demonstrate similar long-term PPI usage and satisfaction with surgical results. Borderline GERD patients have lower GERD-HRQL at baseline, and thus have smaller improvements in their QOL scores. Anti-reflux surgery should be considered for patients with a diagnosis of borderline GERD refractory to medical therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutrophils are increasingly implicated in chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders. Here, we show that visceral adipose tissue (VAT) from individuals with obesity contains more neutrophils than in those without obesity and is associated with a distinct bacterial community. Exploring the mechanism, we gavaged microbiome-depleted mice with stool from patients with and without obesity during high-fat or normal diet administration. Only mice receiving high-fat diet and stool from subjects with obesity show enrichment of VAT neutrophils, suggesting donor microbiome and recipient diet determine VAT neutrophilia. A rise in pro-inflammatory CD4+ Th1 cells and a drop in immunoregulatory T cells in VAT only follows if there is a transient spike in neutrophils. Human VAT neutrophils exhibit a distinct gene expression pattern that is found in different human tissues, including tumors. VAT neutrophils and bacteria may be a novel therapeutic target for treating inflammatory-driven complications of obesity, including insulin resistance and colon cancer. The role of neutrophils is increasingly being recognized in chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders. Here the authors show that visceral adipose tissue from individuals with obesity contains more neutrophils than in those without obesity and is associated with a distinct bacterial community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) is the gold standard for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Recurrent GERD is a known complication; however, the incidence of recurrent GERD-like symptoms and long-term fundoplication failure is rarely reported. Our objective was to identify the rate of recurrent pathologic GERD in patients with GERD-like symptoms following fundoplication. We hypothesized that patients with recurrent GERD-like symptoms refractory to medical management do not have evidence of fundoplication failure as indicated by a positive ambulatory pH study. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 353 consecutive patients undergoing LF for GERD between 2011 and 2017. Baseline demographics, objective testing, GERD-HRQL scores, and follow-up data were collected in a prospective database. Patients with return visits to clinic following routine post-operative visits were identified (n = 136, 38.5%), and those with a primary complaint of GERD-like symptoms (n = 56, 16%) were included. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a positive post-operative ambulatory pH study. Secondary outcomes included proportion of patients with symptoms managed with acid-reducing medications, time to return to clinic, and need for reoperation. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Fifty-six (16%) patients returned during the study period for an evaluation of recurrent GERD-like symptoms with a median interval of 51.2 (26.2–74.7) months. Twenty-four patients (42.9%) were successfully managed expectantly or with acid-reducing medications. Thirty two (57.1%) presented with GERD-like symptoms and failure of management with medical acid suppression and underwent repeat ambulatory pH testing. Of these, only 5 (9%) were found to have a DeMeester score of > 14.7, and three (5%) underwent recurrent fundoplication. Conclusion: Following LF, the incidence of GERD-like symptoms refractory to PPI therapy is much higher than the incidence of recurrent pathologic acid reflux. Few patients with recurrent GI symptoms require surgical revision. Evaluation, including objective reflux testing, is critical to evaluating these symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decreased adipose tissue regulatory T cells contribute to insulin resistance in obese mice, however, little is known about the mechanisms regulating adipose tissue regulatory T cells numbers in humans. Here we obtain adipose tissue from obese and lean volunteers. Regulatory T cell abundance is lower in obese vs. lean visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue and associates with reduced insulin sensitivity and altered adipocyte metabolic gene expression. Regulatory T cells numbers decline following high-fat diet induction in lean volunteers. We see alteration in major histocompatibility complex II pathway in adipocytes from obese patients and after high fat ingestion, which increases T helper 1 cell numbers and decreases regulatory T cell differentiation. We also observe increased expression of inhibitory co-receptors including programmed cell death protein 1 and OX40 in visceral adipose tissue regulatory T cells from patients with obesity. In human obesity, these global effects of interferon gamma to reduce regulatory T cells and diminish their function appear to instigate adipose inflammation and suppress adipocyte metabolism, leading to insulin resistance. Murine models of obesity suggest that decreases in the adipose tissue regulatory T cell compartment may contribute to insulin resistance, but how this corresponds in the human clinical context is less well understood. Here the authors propose a role for interferon gamma in shrinking the adipose tissue regulatory T cell compartment seen in human obesity and assess the alterations seen during induction of dietary changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laparoscopic magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) has emerged as an alternative to laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) for the management of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While short-term outcomes of MSA compare favorably to those of LNF, direct comparisons of long-term outcomes are lacking. We hypothesized that the long-term patient-reported outcomes of MSA would be similar to those achieved with LNF. Methods: We tested this hypothesis in a retrospective cohort undergoing primary LNF or MSA between March 2013 and July 2015. The primary outcome was GERD-Health Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) score at long-term follow-up relative to baseline. Secondary outcomes included dysphagia and bloating scores, proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) cessation, reoperations, and overall satisfaction with surgery. Results: 70 patients (25 MSA, 45 LNF) met criteria for study inclusion. MSA patients had lower baseline BMI (median: 27.1 [IQR: 22.7–29.9] versus 30.4 [26.4–32.8], p = 0.02), lower total GERD-HRQL (26 [19–32] versus 34 [25–40], p = 0.02), and dysphagia (2 [0–3] versus 3 [1–4], p = 0.02) scores. Median follow-up interval exceeded 5 years (MSA: 68 [65–74]; LNF: 65 months [62–69]). Total GERD-HRQL improved from 26 to 9 after MSA (p < 0.001) and from 34 to 7.5 after LNF (p < 0.01); these scores did not differ between groups (p = 0.68). Dysphagia (MSA: 1 [0–2]; LNF: 0 [0–2], p = 0.96) and bloating (MSA: 1.5 [0.5–3.0]; LNF: 3.0 [1.0–4.0], p = 0.08) scores did not show any statistically significant differences. Device removal was performed in 4 (16%) MSA patients and reoperation in 3 (7%) LNF patients. Eighty-nine percent of LNF patients reported satisfaction with the procedure, compared to 70% of MSA patients (p = 0.09). Conclusions: MSA appears to offer similar long-term improvement in disease-specific quality of life as LNF. For MSA, there was a trend toward reduced long-term bloating compared to LNF, but need for reoperation and device removal may be associated with patient dissatisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our group has previously demonstrated that low socioeconomic status (SES) independently predicts ≤ 25th percentile weight-loss following bariatric surgery (BS). Given that sociodemographic metrics can be separated into income, education, and race, we sought to investigate how each metric independently impacted weight loss following BS. Methods: Patients from a single academic institution who underwent bariatric surgery from 2014 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were stratified by income (low/high), education (≤ high school/ ≥ college), and race (black/white) then compared using univariate analysis. Variables significant on univariate analyses were subsequently used for a greedy 1:3 propensity score match with a caliper of 0.2. After matching, groups were balanced on demographics, social/medical/psychological history, and surgery type. Percent excess body weight loss for each post-operative time point was compared using appropriate univariate analyses. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 571 patients were included. Unmatched race analysis demonstrated black patients were significantly younger (p = 0.05), single (p < 0.0001), in a lower income bracket (p < 0.0001), and experienced less weight loss at 2- (p = 0.01), 6- (p = 0.007), 12- (p = 0.008) and 24- (p = 0.007) months post-op. After matching, black patients continued to experience less weight loss at 2- (p = 0.01) and 6- (p = 0.03) months, which trended at 1 year (p = 0.06). Initial income analysis demonstrated patients in the low-income group (LIG) were more likely to be black (p < 0.0001), have ≤ high school education (p = 0.004), a higher preoperative BMI (p = 0.008), and lower postoperative weight loss at 2- (p = 0.001), 6- (p = 0.01), and 12- (p = 0.04) months after surgery. After matching, no differences were observed up to 3-years post-op. Analysis of education demonstrated no effect on weight loss in both unmatched and matched analyses. Conclusion: Unmatched analysis demonstrated that low income and race impact short-term weight loss after BS. After matching, however, race, not socioeconomic status, predicted weight loss outcomes up to 1-year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tobacco use worsens gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). Smoking cessation improves GERD symptoms, but its impact on the efficacy of laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery (LARS) is unclear. In this retrospective cohort study, we hypothesized that non-smokers would demonstrate greater long-term improvements in disease-specific quality of life than active smokers. Methods: Data were maintained in an IRB-approved prospective database, and patients were stratified according to tobacco use. Postoperative follow-up occurred in clinic and long-term follow-up via telephone interview. Outcomes measured were gastroesophageal health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) and GERD symptom scale (GERSS) scores, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) cessation, and satisfaction with surgery. Results: Two hundred and thirty-five patients underwent primary LARS, and 31 (13%) were active smokers with 18 median pack-years [10–30]. Baseline PPI use (96% vs. 94%, p = 0.64), presence of a hiatal hernia (79% vs. 68%, p = 0.13), esophagitis (28% vs. 45%, p = 0.13), and DeMeester score (41.9 vs. 33.6, p = 0.47) were similar. Baseline GERD-HRQL and GERSS scores and their post-surgical decreases were also similar between groups. PPI cessation was achieved in 92% of non-smokers and 94% of smokers (p = 0.79), and GERD-HRQL scores decreased to 4 [1–7] and 5 [0–12], respectively (p = 0.53). After 59 [25–74] months, GERD-HRQL scores were 5 [2–11] and 2 [0–13] (p = 0.61) and PPI cessation was maintained in 69% and 79% of patients (p = 0.59). Satisfaction with surgery was similar between smokers and non-smokers (88% vs. 87%, p = 0.85). Female gender was significantly associated with increased improvements in GERD-HRQL (p < 0.01) and GERSS scores (p = 0.04) postoperatively but not at long-term follow-up. Patients without a hiatal hernia were less likely to achieve long-term PPI cessation compared to those with a hernia (OR 0.23, p < 0.01). Conclusions: After 5 years, smokers demonstrate similar symptom resolution, PPI cessation rates, and satisfaction with surgery as non-smokers. Active smoking does not appear to negatively impact long-term symptomatic outcomes of LARS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) is used for psychological screening of bariatric surgery (BS) candidates. To date, no studies have analyzed the relationship between MMPI-2 and early returns to hospital. The aim of this study was to determine whether high T scores on the MMPI-2 clinical scales were associated with early return to hospital after primary bariatric surgery. Methods: Patients who completed an MMPI-2 evaluation, undergoing primary BS from 2014 to 2016 were evaluated. T score for the tested scales were collected and stratified into a high T score (T > 65) vs not (T < 65). The optimal 'cut-point' (specific number of high T scores predicting likelihood for 30-day ED-visit/hospital readmission) was calculated using Youden's Index (J) = Max(c) [sensitivity (c) + specificity (c) − 1], where c = number of scales with a T score > 65. Patients were stratified based on the optimal cut-point which was determined to be ≥ 4 high T scores. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify differences between groups and predictors for early ED-visits and hospital readmissions. Results: 375 patients had psychological evaluations available for review. Patients were divided into those with ≥ 4 high T scores (Scr(≥4); n = 86) versus not (Scr (<4); n = 289). Multivariate analysis showed Scr(≥ 4) (aOR 2.99, CI 1.20–7.47; p = 0.019), bipolar disorder (aOR 4.82, CI 1.25–18.83; p = 0.022), and urgent hospital complications (aOR 6.81, CI 2.02–22.91; p = 0.002), were significant independent predictors of 30-day readmissions. Early ED-visits were significantly predicted by public insurance (aOR 3.30, CI 1.22–8.91; p = 0.019), but the effect of the Scr(≥4) profile (aOR 2.42, CI 0.97–6.09; p = 0.06), while influential, did not reach significance. Conclusion: Differences in personality traits may be associated increased 30-day readmissions following primary bariatric surgery. Our study represents a novel application of the MMPI-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of adipose tissue (AT) inflammation in obesity and its multiple related-complications is a rapidly expanding area of scientific interest. Within the last 30 years, the role of the adipocyte as an endocrine and immunologic cell has been progressively established. Like the macrophage, the adipocyte is capable of linking the innate and adaptive immune system through the secretion of adipokines and cytokines; exosome release of lipids, hormones, and microRNAs; and contact interaction with other immune cells. Key innate immune cells in AT include adipocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and innate lymphoid cells type 2 (ILC2s). The role of the innate immune system in promoting adipose tissue inflammation in obesity will be highlighted in this review. T cells and B cells also play important roles in contributing to AT inflammation and are discussed in this series in the chapter on adaptive immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adipose tissue (AT) inflammation is linked to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and atherosclerosis in murine models of obesity. Reduced AT regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are anti-inflammatory immune cells, play an important part in this pathogenesis, and we have shown that AT-Tregs are inversely correlated to increasing body-mass-index. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between AT-Treg abundance and comorbidity status in patients undergoing bariatric surgery (BS).Methods: Visceral (intra-abdominal) AT was harvested at that time of primary BS (n = 80) and collagenase digested. AT-Treg abundance (CD4+/CD25+/FOXP3+) was characterized using flow cytometry from the AT stromal vascular fraction. The median AT-Treg abundance (3.03%) was utilized to define high (High-Tregs, n = 39) and low AT-Treg (low-Tregs, n = 38) abundance within this cohort. These two groups were compared in terms of baseline demographic data, preoperative obesity-related comorbidities, glycemic parameters, including insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).Results: Age, excess body weight, and sex were not different between groups. Prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or T2DM preoperatively were not different between groups. Compared to High-Tregs, patients with low-Tregs were more likely to have insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes (12.5% vs 2.9%, p = 0.04). Within patients with T2DM, low-Treg patients had higher plasma insulin levels compared to high-Tregs (31.8 (28.4-56.5) vs 15.5 (10.1-23.1), p = 0.04) and trended towards higher insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (9.0 (5.3-18.3) vs 3.5 (2.2-7.7), p = 0.08). Within those diagnosed with hyperlipidemia, preoperative statin use was higher in Low-Treg patients compared to the control cohort (91% vs 50%, p = 0.056). Low-Treg patients with hypertension were more likely to need 2 + anti-hypertensive agents preoperatively compared to their counterparts (71% vs 44%, p = 0.058).Conclusion: Within bariatric candidates, lower visceral AT-Treg abundance was associated with increased baseline medication requirements for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. This suggests that reduced AT-Tregs may be associated with higher obesity-related comorbidity severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The optimal management of functional esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EJOO) remains controversial particularly in the setting of concomitant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). There remains a paucity of data regarding the outcomes of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) in this patient population. We hypothesized that GERD patients with manometric findings of EJOO on preoperative manometry do not have increased rates of postoperative dysphagia compared to those with normal or hypotensive LES pressures.Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing LNF for GERD compared outcomes in patients with and without functional EJOO (fEJOO). The outcomes of interest included disease-specific quality of life improvement, dysphagia scores, and the need for endoscopic dilation following fundoplication.Results: Two hundred and eleven patients underwent LNF for GERD and 15 (7.1%) were classified as having fEJOO. Baseline GERD-HRQL [30.0 (21.5-37) vs. 31 (21-37), p = 0.57] were similar between fEJOO and control patients, respectively. There was no difference in baseline dysphagia scores [3.5 (2-5) vs. 2.0 (1-4), p = 0.64] between the two groups. Postoperative GERD-HRQL [5.0 (2-13) vs. 4.0 (1-8), p = 0.59] scores did not differ between fEJOO and control patients at 6-week follow-up. One year after surgery, GERD-HRQL [8.0 (3-9) vs. 4.5 (2-13), p = 0.97] did not differ between groups. Dysphagia rates were similar at 6-week (p = 0.78) and 1-year follow-ups (p = 0.96). The need for dilation at 1 year following fundoplication was similar in both cohorts (13%, p = 0.96).Conclusion: GERD patients with functional EJOO achieved similar improvements in disease-specific quality of life without increased incidence of dysphagia postoperatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Contrary to published literature, our institutional data demonstrated reduced weight loss following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) compared to gastric bypass (LRYGB). The purpose of this study was to determine if known predictors of poor weight loss accounted for this discrepancy at a large volume center.Methods: All patients undergoing primary LSG (n = 322) and LRYGB (n = 249), from 2014 to 2016, at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline medical, socioeconomic, and follow-up data (6, 12, 24, and 36 months) were obtained. The first aim characterized differences in LSG and LRYGB. The second objective determined predictors of experiencing the lowest or highest quartile of excess body weight loss [(EBWL), (%EBWL-25th, %EBWL-75th)] at 12, 24, and 36 months. Thirdly, predictors of poor weight loss within sleeve gastrectomy were characterized.Results: In comparison to patients undergoing LRYGB, LSG patients demonstrated lower baseline BMI (47.9 ± 8.2 vs. 51.5 ± 10.1, p < 0.0005), lower incidences of obesity-related comorbidities (p < 0.05), were more likely to have higher education (p = 0.02), and were associated with no-shows up to 2 years post-operatively. LSG remained a strong independent predictor of %EBWL-25th at 12 months (OR = 5.2, p < 0.005), 24 months (OR = 5.3, p < 0.005), and 36 months (OR = 7.3, p = 0.006), after adjusting for comorbidities, education, and no-shows. Predictors of poor weight loss after LSG included hypertension, African American race, major depression, no-shows at 6 and 12 months. Within patients associated with these characteristics, the relative risk of experiencing poor weight loss was significantly higher following LSG compared to LRYGB at 12 months (60% vs. 25.0%, p < 0.05), 24 months (43% vs. 18%, p < 0.05), and 36 months (70% vs. 21%, p < 0.05).Conclusions: LSG remained an independent predictor of poor weight loss at all post-operative time points. Furthermore, the risk of experiencing poor weight loss was significantly higher following LSG compared to LRYGB for patients with high-risk characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the results of a laparoscopic repair of a paraesophageal hernia are convincing and accepted, controversies still persist regarding indications for elective repair, the need for a concurrent fundoplication, the use of mesh, and the need for a Collis gastroplasty. This article is a description of our surgical approach to the patient with a paraesophageal hernia in need of a repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Post-operative non-urgent hospital visits (NUR-HV) are an important quality target for reducing unnecessary healthcare utilization. The primary objective of this study was to characterize 90-day post-operative hospital use and determine independent predictors for NUR-HV and urgent (UR)-HV after elective laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair (LPEHR) and Nissen Fundoplication (LNF).Methods: Five hundred and sixty-two primary LPEHR and LNF patients were retrospectively reviewed at a single institution. Ninety-day NUR-HV and UR-HV were compared to patients without post-operative HV using baseline medical and demographic data, preoperative work-up (manometry, pH testing, disease-specific quality of life and symptom scale scores (GERSS), and hospital course. Multiple logistic models were created using univariate associations (p < 0.1) to model independent predictors of NUR-HV and UR-HV.Results: NUR-HV accounted for 52% (n = 30) of all 90-HV, while the remaining were UR-HV (n = 28, 48.3%). Compared to controls, NUR-HV were younger (51.2 ± 16.8 years vs. 57.6 ± 15.2, p = 0.05), had a lower baseline BMI (28.2 ± 6.4 vs. 31.3 ± 5.4, p = 0.003) and ASA scores (p = 0.02), presented with higher GERSS (46 (28-60) vs. 35 (19-48), p = 0.02) and dysphagia scores (3 (1-5) vs. 2 (0-4), p = 0.02), were associated with LNF (77.7% vs. 54.6%, p = 0.02), and experienced more post-operative dysphagia (13.3% vs. 4.6%, p = 0.06). UR-HV were older (64.0 ± 13.2 vs. 57.6 ± 15.2, p = 0.03), associated with LPEHR (67.9% vs. 45.4%, p = 0.02), longer hospital stay (2 (1-3) vs. 1 (1-2), p = 0.003), and increased overall (39.3% vs. 15.1%, p = 0.001) and urgent complications (34.6% vs. 8.3%, p < 0.005). Positive predictors of NUR-HV included ASA score < 3 (OR 4.4, p = 0.02), increasing GERSS (1.04, p = 0.01), and reduced peristalsis (OR 4.7, p = 0.01), while UR-HV were independently predicted by urgent complications (5.0, p < 0.00005).Conclusions: NUR-HV accounted for half of post-operative visits following LNF/LPEHR and were predicted by distinct characteristics compared to UR-HV. This stratification provides novel insight that will guide both preoperative counseling and post-operative quality initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anxiety and depression have been associated with an increased perception of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, but there is a paucity of data regarding the outcomes of laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication (LNF) in this patient population.Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study including all patients undergoing LNF between 2011 and 2017. Patients were stratified by baseline usage of serotonin-modulating medication or benzodiazepines as a proxy for depression and anxiety, respectively. Outcome measures included postoperative gastroesophageal health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) scores and overall satisfaction rates after surgery. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The population consisted of 271 patients of which 103 patients had depression and 44 patients had anxiety. Patients with depression reported no significant difference in pre- or postoperative GERD-HRQL scores compared to patients without depression and long-term satisfaction rates after surgery were similar in both groups at 76% vs 71%, respectively (p = 0.55). Patients with anxiety reported higher baseline HRQL scores (34 vs. 29, p = 0.05). At long-term follow-up (15 months), patients with anxiety reported slightly worse HRQL scores compared to controls (7 vs. 4, p = 0.11) despite no difference in usage of anti-acid medications or need for endoscopic dilations between the two groups. Patients with anxiety were less likely to report being "satisfied" after surgery (40% vs. 71%, p = 0.01) compared to controls.Conclusion: Patients with anxiety have higher subjective reporting of GERD symptoms and are more likely to report being "satisfied" during long-term follow-up after LNF. Patients on medication for depression appear to have similar reporting of GERD symptoms and derive as much benefit from LNF as patients that are not. While LNF does improve the symptom burden in patients with anxiety, satisfaction is rarely achieved in long-term follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is an underreported micronutrient deficiency after bariatric surgery (BS). Objectives: The goal of this study was to characterize VAD prevalence in patients undergoing malabsorptive and restrictive procedures up to 2 years postoperatively. Methods: Primary sleeve gastrectomy (SG; n = 322) and gastric bypass (GB; n = 249) patients were reviewed. Levels for overall VAD (oVAD; retinol <39 mcg/dL) and moderate VAD (mVAD; retinol <30 mcg/dL) were reported preoperatively and 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Differences in demographic, surgical, and postoperative data were tested between these groups. Settings: Single-center academic institution. Results: Serum retinol levels were documented for 56%, 74%, 61%, and 37% of patients for listed time points. Baseline retinol inversely correlated to preop body mass index (BMI) (R = -0.15, P = .007). Both oVAD and mVAD peaked 6 months postoperatively (33% vs. 15%, P < .005; 12% vs. 4%, P = .0004, respectively). oVAD remained elevated at 24 months (22% vs. 15%, P = .03). Compared to SG, oVAD was higher following GB at 6 months (39% vs. 28%, P = .001) and 12 months (26% vs. 17%, P = .04), and mVAD was greater with GB at 6 months (18% vs. 6%, P < .0005). African American patients had higher oVAD/mVAD preoperatively (26% vs. 13%, P = .02; 13% vs. 3%, P = .001, respectively) and at 6 months (19% vs. 10%, P = .04). Prior mild VAD (retinol 1.05-1.35 μM) was significantly associated with mVAD up to 12 months postoperatively. Conclusions: Although higher following LRYGB, VAD is prevalent following both malabsorptive and restrictive procedures. Preoperative serum retinol is inversely correlated to increasing BMI, and African American race and mild VAD are associated with moderate VAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The impact of well-controlled or historical psychiatric diagnoses in patients seeking bariatric surgery (BS) on perioperative outcomes is unclear. The primary objective of this study was to determine the impact of psychiatric diagnoses on hospital length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission rates after BS, and post-operative weight loss outcomes.Methods: Patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRNYGB) from 2014 to 2016 at a single academic institution were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline demographic data and psychiatric history including depression, anxiety, and/or bipolar disorder (DAB) were obtained from the electronic medical record. Hospital LOS, 30-day readmissions, and % excess body weight loss (%EBWL) were obtained on all patients and compared between DAB patients and those without any psychiatric history.Results: During the study period, 354 patients were reviewed, of which 78% were female; 60% underwent LSG. The mean preoperative BMI was 48.9 ± 8.4 m/kg2. Major depression was the leading diagnosis (42%), and 13% had both depression and anxiety. The 30-day readmission rate was significantly higher than the control (10.5% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.02). Mean hospital LOS and the incidence of long hospital LOS (≥ 4 days) was not different between the groups, although within LSG patients, the incidence of long hospital LOS trended towards being higher for DAB patients (9.2% vs. 4%, p = 0.10). Patients with depression and anxiety had a higher incidence of long LOS (23.4% vs. 9.2%, p < 0.005). While 6-month %EBWL was significantly lower for DAB patients (41% vs. 46%, p = 0.004), 1-year weight loss outcomes were not different, even when adjusting for surgical procedure.Conclusion: Patients with baseline or historical DAB had significantly higher early readmission rates, and those with multiple diagnoses were associated with a hospital LOS ≥ 4 days. Future studies should focus on elucidating the impact of psychiatric diagnoses on these quality metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) offers an endoscopic approach to the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Controlled trials have demonstrated the short-term efficacy of this procedure, but long-term follow-up studies are lacking. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term impact of TIF on disease-specific quality of life and antisecretory medication use.Methods: We performed retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing TIF between 2007 and 2014 in a large academic medical center. Reflux symptoms and quality of life were assessed using the gastroesophageal reflux disease health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) questionnaire at baseline, short-term, and long-term follow-up.Results: Fifty-seven patients with a median age of 46 (37-59) years and an average BMI of 28.8 ± 4.9 kg/m2 underwent TIF during the study period. Sixty percent of the patients were female, and all were taking a PPI at least daily. At a median follow-up interval of 97 months, twelve patients had undergone subsequent laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS). Of those who had not, 23 had complete long-term follow-up data for analysis and were included in the study. Seventy-three percent reported daily acid-reducing medication use, and the median GERD-HRQL score was 10 (6-14) compared to 24 (15-28) at baseline (p < 0.01). Seventy-eight percent of these patients expressed satisfaction or neutral feelings about their GERD management. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics of patients who underwent LARS during the study period and those who did not.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that TIF can produce durable improvements in disease-specific quality of life in some patients with symptomatic GERD. The majority of patients resumed daily PPI therapy during the study period, but with significantly improved GERD-HRQL scores compared to baseline and increased satisfaction with their medical condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is associated with a state of chronic low-grade inflammation both systemically and within specific tissues, including adipose tissue (AT). In murine models of obesity, there is a shift in the inflammatory profile of the AT immune cells, with an accumulation of proinflammatory M1 macrophages that surround the expanding adipocyte. However, much less is known about the immune cell composition and how to best define AT macrophages in humans. Objective. The goals of the current study were to determine the contribution of macrophages to the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in lean versus obese human visceral AT (VAT); examine the expression of common M1, M2, and pan macrophage markers; and determine the association of specific macrophage types with known biomarkers of obesity-related cardiometabolic disease. Research Design and Methods. VAT biopsies were obtained from obese (n=50) and lean (n=8) patients during elective surgery. Adipocytes and SVF were isolated, and the SVF was subjected to flow cytometry analyses. Results. Our results indicate that VAT macrophages are increased in obesity and associate with biomarkers of CVD but that many macrophages do not fall into currently defined M1/M2 classification system based on CD206 receptor expression levels. Conclusions. VAT macrophages are increased in obese subjects, but the current markers used to define macrophage populations are inadequate to distinguish differences in human obesity. Further studies are needed to delineate the function of AT macrophages in the maintenance and progression of human AT inflammation in obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deiodinase type II (D2), encoded by DIO2, catalyzes the conversion of T4 to bioactive T3. T3 not only stimulates adaptive thermogenesis but also affects adipose tissue (AT) lipid accumulation, mitochondrial function, inflammation, and potentially systemic metabolism. Although better defined in brown AT, the precise role of DIO2 expression in white AT remains largely unknown, with data derived only from whole fat. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipocyte-specific gene expression of DIO2 differs between obese and lean patients and whether these differences relate to alterations in mitochondrial function, fatty acid flux, inflammatory cytokines/adipokines, and ultimately insulin sensitivity. Accordingly, adipocytes of 73 obese and 21 lean subjects were isolated and subjected to gene expression analyses. Our results demonstrate that obese compared to lean human individuals have increased adipocyte-specific DIO2 expression in both SAT and VAT. Although higher DIO2 was strongly related to reduced fatty acid synthesis/oxidation and mitochondrial function, we found no relationship to proinflammatory cytokines or insulin resistance and no difference based on diabetic status. Our results suggest that adipocyte-derived DIO2 may play a role in weight maintenance but is likely not a major contributor to obesity-related insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a common procedure that, in the United States, is traditionally performed by gastroenterologists. We hypothesized that when performed by well-trained surgeons, ERCP can be performed safely and effectively. The objectives of the study were to assess the rate of successful cannulation of the duct of interest and to assess the 30-day complication and mortality rates.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 1858 patients who underwent 2392 ERCP procedures performed by five surgeons between August 2003 and June 2016 in two centers. Demographic and historical data, indications, procedure-related data and 30-day complication and mortality data were collected and analyzed.Results: The mean age was 53.4 (range 7-102) years and 1046 (56.3%) were female. 1430 (59.8%) of ERCP procedures involved a surgical endoscopy fellow. The most common indication was suspected or established uncomplicated common bile duct stones (n = 1470, 61.5%), followed by management of an existing biliary or pancreatic stent (n = 370, 15.5%) and acute biliary pancreatitis (n = 173, 7.2%). A therapeutic intervention was performed in 1564 (65.4%), a standard sphincterotomy in 1244 (52.0%), stent placement in 705 (29.5%) and stone removal in 638 (26.7%). When cannulation was attempted, the rate of successful cannulation was 94.1%. When cannulation was attempted during the patient's first ERCP the cannulation rate was 92.4%. 94 complications occurred (5.4%); the most common complication was post-ERCP pancreatitis in 75 (4.2%), significant gastrointestinal bleeding in 7 (0.4%), ascending cholangitis in 11 (0.6%) and perforation in 1 (0.05%). 11 mortalities occurred (0.5%) but none of which were ERCP-related.Conclusion: When performed by well-trained surgical endoscopists, ERCP is associated with high success rate and acceptable complication rates consistent with previously published reports and in line with societal guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of paraesophageal hernia (PEH) can be challenging due to the lack of consensus regarding indications and principles of operative treatment. In addition, data about the pathophysiology of the hernias are scant. Therefore, the goal of this review is to shed light and describe the classification, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and indications for treatment of PEHs, and provide an overview of the surgical management and a description of the technical principles of the repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epiphrenic diverticula are a rare disease almost always associated with an underlying motility disorder of the esophagus, such as achalasia. Treatment of any underlying motility disorder must be included in the management of epiphrenic diverticula to prevent postoperative complications and recurrences. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to describe the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and proper methods of diagnosis and treatment of patients with epiphrenic diverticula. In addition, we aim to provide an overview of the surgical management and discuss the indications for surgery and choice of surgical approach. In general, surgical intervention is favored for symptomatic patients and the optimal surgical approach depends on the size and location of the diverticulum. Surgery is not without seemingly high rates of morbidity when a myotomy is not performed together with the diverticulectomy, even in those with normal manometry. The risk of carcinoma is exceedingly rare and it is usually discovered at later stages; therefore, no surveillance programs have been established in asymptomatic patients with unresected diverticula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the earliest description of dysphagia relieved by dilatation with a whalebone in 1674 we have witnessed the evolution of esophageal function testing from the conventional manometry to the high-resolution manometry (HRM) and esophageal topography pressure plotting that have led to the revised Chicago classification for esophageal motility disorders in 2014. The goals of this paper are, therefore, (1) to highlight the historical milestones that have led to the diagnostic definition of achalasia, as we know it today; (2) to describe the evaluation process of patients with suspected achalasia; (3) to describe the diagnostic value of the HRM and the usefulness of the Chicago classification in predicting treatment outcomes. The value of Chicago classification is linked to the ability of the clinician to perform a thorough clinical evaluation to identify and correlate specific clinical phenotypes to specific manometric subtypes and predict treatment outcomes. Chicago classification, however, cannot predict which treatment, pneumatic dilatation, or Heller myotomy, should be selected for those with a specific subtype of achalasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: AT Tregs are decreased in obese mice. We have previously shown that preventing this decline improves insulin sensitivity, despite persistent obesity, underscoring a key role for AT Tregs in systemic metabolism. Therefore, we sought to examine AT Treg changes in human subjects and elucidate potential mechanisms responsible for these changes. Methods: We obtained visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) at elective surgery in 54 obese and 18 lean subjects, and SAT via liposuction in 15 lean subjects before and after 2 weeks high fat diet (HFD). Results: Obese individuals had 67% less Treg abundance in VAT (p<0.001) and 79% in SAT (p<0.001); Tregs as %CD4+ cells correlated with insulin sensitivity and inversely with BMI. Subjects ingesting a HFD experienced a 50% drop in SAT Tregs (p<0.001), which correlated with decreased insulin sensitivity by clamp. To understand this drop, we next performed gene expression analyses on isolated adipocytes, AT T cells, and VAT Tregs. Obese adipocytes had profound increases in major histocompatibility class II (MHCII) genes, but decreases in fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial genes, suggesting a functional switch from a primary metabolic to an adaptive immune cell. These changes were associated with decreased AT Treg abundance, and increased insulin resistance and BMI. T cells revealed increased Tbet, a proinflammatory CD4+ Th1 cell marker, and decreased FOXP3, a Treg marker, consistent with our demonstration that human adipocytes can present antigen to activate CD4+ Th1 cells. Obese vs. lean VAT Tregs also had a 3-fold (p<0.05) increase in the T cell exhaustion marker, program cell death protein-1 (PD-1), and a 75% (p<0.05) decrease in CD127, which is attenuated in exhausted T cells. Discussion: Thus, human adipocyte immune cell activity, combined with Treg exhaustion, contributes to the drop in AT Tregs and strongly affects metabolism. Disclosure: D. Bradley: None. A.M. Blaszczak: None. A. Smith: None. A.D. Jalilvand: None. V.P. Wright: None. K. Wyne: Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc. Research Support; Self; Sanofi. S. Noria: None. J. Joseph: None. J.Z. Liu: None. W. Hsueh: None. Funding: American Diabetes Association (1-16-ICTS-049 to W.H.); National Institutes of Health (KL2TR001068, R01HL135622) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The obese adipose tissue (AT) immune cell microenvironment contributes to low-grade inflammation increasing the risk of multiple metabolic complications. Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) were recently discovered in mice to regulate metabolic health, but the clinical relevance of ILC2s in human AT is unknown. Rationale: Our goals were to characterize changes human AT ILC2s in obesity, insulin resistance, and aging. We further examined changes in AT ILC2s with aging, high fat diet (HFD), and weight loss in mice. Methods: We collected visceral AT (VAT) biopsies from 50 obese and 9 lean patients during elective surgery, isolated the adipocytes from the stromal vascular fraction, and performed flow cytometry. Results: Human VAT %ILC2s were not different between lean and obese subjects (p=0.896), but were negatively associated with insulin sensitivity (r=-0.449, p=0.005), beta-cell function (r=-0.364, p=0.024), and increasing age (r=-0.337, p=0.012). ILC2s were also positively associated with T helper type 2 cells (Th2s). All of these relationships were independent of BMI and gender, suggesting that ILC2s play a weight-independent role in human glucose homeostasis and age-related insulin resistance, possibly through an interaction with Th2s. When placed on HFD for 6 and 12 weeks, mice demonstrated a depletion in VAT ILC2s, and 12- vs. 3-month old mice had decreased VAT ILC2s, which did not recover after 12 weeks of weight loss despite normalization of body weight. Conclusions: In humans and mice, VAT ILC2s decrease with HFD and age. In humans ILC2s may be a weight-independent determinant of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, provide a potential link to reduced insulin sensitivity in aging, and offer a novel therapeutic target in insulin resistance and T2D. Disclosure: D. Bradley: None. A.M. Blaszczak: None. J.Z. Liu: None. A.D. Jalilvand: None. V.P. Wright: None. S. Noria: None. J. Joseph: None. W. Hsueh: None. Funding: American Diabetes Association (1-16-ICTS-049 to W.H.); National Institutes of Health (KL2TR001068, HL135622) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adipose resident T lymphocytes (ARTs) are known metabolic mediators in mice. In particular, immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) protect against insulin resistance. However, little is known about ARTs in humans or the effect of human weight gain on the AT immunoenvironment. We obtained visceral AT (VAT) and subcutaneous AT (SAT) biopsies from obese (n=83, BMI 48.9±8.5 kg/m2) and lean (n=15, BMI 23.6±1.9 kg/m2) patients undergoing elective surgery. A separate group of lean metabolically healthy patients (n=15, BMI 22.4 ± 1.8 kg/m2) underwent baseline and repeat SAT biopsies and hyperinsulinemic clamps before and after 2 weeks of a high-fat diet (HFD) overfeeding protocol (additional 1,320 kcal/day:>50% total fat:>10% saturated fat). Adipocytes were isolated for gene expression and flow analysis. Tregs (CD4+CD25+FOXP3+) as percent (%) of CD4+ cells were substantially increased in lean compared to obese SAT (22.1±15.0% vs. 7.3±3.8%; p<0.001) and VAT (18.9±16.8% vs. 3.9±2.7%; p<0.001) and negatively correlated with BMI and insulin sensitivity. After HFD, there was a significant increase in BMI (p<0.001) and fasting glucose (p<0.001), but no change in fasting insulin or HOMA-IR. We noted a dramatic overall decline in SAT Tregs after HFD (7.5 ± 1.0% to 3.3 ± 0.5%, p<0.001), with all participants experiencing a decrease. The post-surgical change in SAT %Tregs positively correlated with the change in insulin sensitivity (M value) by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (p=0.003, r=+0.797), so that those subjects with the greatest decline in Tregs had the largest decline in insulin sensitivity. This relationship persisted despite adjusting for, age, gender, pre-intervention BMI, and the change in weight from pre to post intervention (p=0.012). Our data thus demonstrates that Tregs decline in response to acute overfeeding, potentially contributing to development of insulin resistance. These results highlight a role for adipose tissue Tregs in human metabolism. Disclosure: D. Bradley: None. A.M. Blaszczak: None. A.D. Jalilvand: None. V.P. Wright: None. S. Noria: None. J. Joseph: None. J.Z. Liu: None. W. Hsueh: None. Funding: American Diabetes Association (1-16-ICTS-049 to W.H.); National Institutes of Health (KL2TR001068, HL135622) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]