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Purpose The variables possibly enabling the prediction of gastric wall thickness during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy remain undetermined. The aim of the study was to identify preoperative factors affecting gastric wall thickness in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Methods The measurements of the double-wall thickness of gastric specimen excised during sleeve gastrectomy were taken at three locations after 15 s of compression with an applied pressure of 8 g/mm2. Statistical calculations were used to determine the influence of preoperative weight loss and other perioperative parameters on gastric wall thickness. Results The study involved one hundred patients (78 female; 22 male). The thickest tissue was observed at the antrum with the mean value 2.55 mm (range 1.77–4.0 mm), followed by the midbody, mean 2.13 mm (range 1.34–3.20 mm), and the fundus, mean 1.69 mm (range 0.99–2.69 mm). Positive relationships were found between gastric wall thickness and both preoperative weight loss and age in all three measured locations; p Conclusion Preoperative weight loss should be considered an important factor influencing gastric wall thickness. Age and gender can also be helpful in predicting the varying tissue thickness. Anatomical region is a key factor determining thickness of the stomach walls.

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), which are a complication of osteoporosis, often cause diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. The aim of this study was to find association between the characteristics of VCFs and the symptomatic status of patients.The study involved a total of 437 women with diagnosed postmenopausal osteoporosis (193 with at least one compression fracture and 244 without VCFs). To identify VCFs, all patients underwent morphometry using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Based on the history of VCFs, subjects were divided into two groups: with symptomatic (n=59) and asymptomatic (n=134) VCFs.Each patient had, on average, 2.03 ± 1.50 VCFs. Patients with VCFs were older [p0.001] and shorter [p0.001] than those without VCFs. VCFs located in the thoracic spine and the lumbar spine occurred with similar frequency (p=0.112). Multiple fractures in both spine segments (50.13%) were more frequent than fractures limited to only one section of the spine, either thoracic (22.76%) or lumbar (27.11%). The decreasing number of subjects was exponentially associated with the increasing number of VCFs (p0.001). Symptomatic patients compared to asymptomatic patients had a higher serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and lower serum activity of alkaline phosphatase (p0.01; p0.005, respectively). In the lumbar spin, the risk of symptomatic VCFs was more than twofold higher compared to asymptomatic VCFs (p0.001, OR=2.57, 95% CI: 1.57-4.19). Symptomatic status depended on the number of lumbar VCFs (p0.001, OR=2.47, 95% CI: 1.68-3.63), as well as higher T-score L1-L4 (p=0.009, OR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.09-1.88).Patients' symptomatic status depends on the location and number of VCFs, as well as T-score L1-L4.

Introduction: Osteoporosis leads to an increased risk of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). Most of them are spontaneous, which makes early diagnosis difficult. The aim of the study was to find parameters that distinguish osteoporotic women with and without vertebral compression fractures. Material and methods: A total of 437 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis were enrolled to the study. Based on the results of densitometric vertebral fracture assessment, patients were divided into 2 groups: with (n = 193) and without (n = 244) VCFs. Then selected anthropometric, laboratory, and densitometric parameters as well as questionnaire data were compared. Results: The following distinguishing factors were found among patients with VCFs in comparison to patients without such fractures: older age — 73.93 years vs. 69.63 years [p(1) < 0.001, p(2) < 0.001], shorter height — 1.56 m vs. 1.58 m [p(4) < 0.001], lower value of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) according to Cockcroft-Gault formula — 58.22 mL/min. vs. 66.25 mL/min. [p(1) < 0.025, p(2) = 0.002], lower peripheral blood haemoglobin and serum albumin concentration (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.02–1.51, p(5) = 0.03; OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.09–4.80, p(5) = 0.03, respectively), and higher 10-year risk of major osteoporotic fracture (FRAX MOF) –12.01% vs. 9.69% [p(1) < 0.01, p(2) < 0.001] and hip fracture (FRAX HIP) — 3.85% vs. 2.55% [p(1) < 0.01, p(2) < 0.001]. In addition, among patients with VCFs a greater severity of back pain was found in the 11-grade scale of pain intensity — 6.12 vs. 4.29 [p(1) < 0.001, p(2) < 0.001, p(3) < 0.001]. The bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) of the hip were lower in patients with VCFs — 25.25 vs. 26.2 g and 0.72 g/cm 2 vs. 0.75 g/cm 2 , respectively [p(4) = 0.04 and p(4) < 0.001, respectively]. Conclusions: Patients with VCFs were characterised by greater back pain intensity, higher fracture risk according to the FRAX calculator, and lower values of the following: GFR according to Cockcroft-Gault formula, peripheral blood haemoglobin and serum albumin concentration, and BMD of the hip. Further studies are required to validate the FRAX calculator to assess not only the risk of future fractures but also unrecognised VCFs.

Background The aim of the study was to assess changes in body composition in patients subjected to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Methods Changes in body composition following LSG were determined in a group of 155 patients with obesity (117 women and 38 men), with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Whole body fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM) were determined, and abdominal fat mass (AbdF) was assessed within the region extending from the top of the pubic bone up to the line between 12th thoracic and 1st lumbar vertebras. Results Over the period of 12 months following LSG, body mass index decreased by 28.2 ± 9.0% (p p p p p p Conclusions Over the period of 12 months following LSG, the reduction of FM was more than twice as much as decrease of LBM. The loss of AbdF was slower than a loss of peripheral subcutaneous fat.

BACKGROUND The incidence of unspecific back pain and osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures increases significantly with age. Considering the difficulties in the diagnosis of spontaneous osteoporotic vertebral fractures, this retrospective study aimed to compare the characteristics of back pain in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis with and without vertebral compression fractures. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study enrolled 334 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis; 150 had vertebral fractures, and 184 had no vertebral fractures. Densitometric vertebral fracture assessment and bone mineral density measurements in the central skeleton were performed for each patient. The participants completed a survey about features of their back pain. RESULTS Patients with vertebral fractures had more severe back pain based on the numeric rating scale: 6.14 vs. 4.33 (P

Background Obesity is recognized as a major health problem. Vitamin D is involved in maintaining energy metabolism by regulation of glucose transporters, uncoupling proteins, and normal brain function. We aimed to explore a relationship between impulsivity, eating behaviors, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in a sample of 322 bariatric surgery candidates. Methods Participants completed a questionnaire on their health, eating habits and The Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Impulsivity was evaluated with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). Blood samples were obtained to measure levels of 25(OH)D, lipids (cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol), and glucose. Results Overall scores on the BIS-11, along with scores on the Attentional Subscale of the BIS were significantly higher in participants with higher frequency of snack food consumption. Scores on the Attentional Subscale of the BIS were higher in participants who self-reported eating in response to emotions. Participants who reported eating at night or declared intense emotions associated with a desire-to-eat had the highest global, attentional, and non-planning impulsivity levels. Scores on the Non-planning Subscale of the BIS-11 were elevated in participants with 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations lower than 10 ng/ml. Conclusions The results suggest that the higher level of impulsivity among the patients with obesity is associated with eating habits, and support the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to impulsiveness.

Background Patients who are slated for bariatric surgery vary in terms of their age at onset of obesity, duration of obesity, and their health complications. Therefore, we aimed to explore a relationship between the age at onset of obesity, metabolic parameters, and health problems in bariatric surgery candidates. Methods A total of 469 unrelated adults with obesity prior to bariatric surgery were included in this study. The study group consisted of 246 individuals who became obese

Background Alongside obesity, insomnia and depression are common public health problems. Sleep problems are currently believed to be associated with excessive food intake and metabolic disturbances. Therefore, we aimed to explore a relationship between insomnia, depressive symptoms and eating habits as well as metabolic parameters in bariatric surgery candidates. Methods A total of 361 unrelated obese subjects were included in this study. Severity of sleep problems was measured with Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and the severity of depressive symptoms was assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was assessed by the Apnea Hypopnoea Index (AHI). Information was obtained about demographics, eating habits and lifestyle. Blood samples were collected to measure concentration of lipids (cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol), and glucose. Results The median (interquartile range) score for AIS in the study participants was 5 (3–8) with a range of 0–24 and 47% (171) participants scored ≥6 (met criteria for diagnosis of insomnia). Statistically significant correlations were found between the AIS scores and serum triglycerides and glucose concentrations, and BDI-II total scores. The highest scores on AIS and BDI-II were found in participants with high frequency of snack food consumption, in physically inactive individuals as well as in those who self-reported eating at night or who declared more than 3 intense emotions associated with a desire-to-eat. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that clinical insomnia was most strongly associated with daily consumption of snack foods, with the odds ratio of 3.26 (95% CI: 1.74–6.11), while depressive symptoms were strongly associated with both eating in response to ≥3 specific emotions with OR = 2.93 (95% CI: 1.26–6.78) as well as with daily consumption of snack foods with OR = 2.87 (95% CI: 1.16–5.14). Conclusions The results indicate that insomnia and depression in obese individuals are associated with eating habits, and suggest that in some patients these associations appears as major factors affecting obesity development.

Vitamin D is necessary in maintaining appropriate calcium and phosphate homeostasis in the body (classical function) and ensuring appropriate functioning of many tissues, organs and cells, unrelated to mineral economy (non-classical function). Vitamin D deficiency in adults may cause osteomalacia, increase fracture risk in osteoporosis, induce cardiovascular diseases, diabetes type 1 and 2, multiple sclerosis, Lesniowski-Crohn disease, and cancer, including colon, breast, and prostate cancer. Possible causes of vitamin D deficiency in a healthy population include decreased cutaneous synthesis and an inadequate intake of vitamin D, both in food and in supplements. Vitamin D deficiency level (25(OH) D.20 ng/mL), is fairly widespread, being found in a substantial percentage of healthy subjects around the world, regardless of race, gender and age. Daily vitamin D dose, as determined by the Food and Nutrition Board in 1997, is now rather insufficient, the biggest problem being associated with maximal vitamin D levels (50 μg/day) in actually available food supplements. Nowadays, it is recommended that adults need a minimum of 800-1,000 U/day when their exposure to the sun is inadequate (in Poland from October to April). This dosage should be provided to all subjects who avoid sunlight, as well as to those aged over 65 because of their slower skin synthesis of vitamin D and for its proven anti-fracture and anti-fall effects.

In clinical ambulatory practice, patients often, rather than discontinuing treatment, change to another one. This study aims to assess the reasons why patients with osteoporosis switch from one alendronate to another with a different brand name.A retrospective analysis of 747 bisphosphonate-treated patients was performed (651 female, average age 67.3 ± 8.9 years, BMI 26.5 ± 4.0 kg/m(2)). The frequency and reasons for drug switching during the 19.4 ± 13.4 months of observation were analysed.In 387 (51.8%) patients, treatment was not changed during the observation period, whereas in 360 (48.2%) patients, at least one drug switch occurred. Almost 40% of patients from that group (138 patients) switched from one alendronate to another alendronate with a different brand name. The most frequent reasons were: adverse event (36.9%), high price of the drug (23.2%) and request of patient (16.7%).A substantial proportion of persistent bisphosphonate-treated patients switch treatment from one alendronate to another. The most frequent reasons for that kind of switching are the occurrence of an adverse event and the high cost of treatment.

Vitamin D is necessary in maintaining appropriate calcium and phosphate homeostasis in the body (classical function) and ensuring appropriate functioning of many tissues, organs and cells, unrelated to mineral economy (non-classical function). Vitamin D deficiency in adults may cause osteomalacia, increase fracture risk in osteoporosis, induce cardiovascular diseases, diabetes type 1 and 2, multiple sclerosis, Lesniowski-Crohn disease, and cancer, including colon, breast, and prostate cancer. Possible causes of vitamin D deficiency in a healthy population include decreased cutaneous synthesis and an inadequate intake of vitamin D, both in food and in supplements. Vitamin D deficiency level (25(OH) D. 〈 20 ng/mL), is fairly widespread, being found in a substantial percentage of healthy subjects around the world, regardless of race, gender and age. Daily vitamin D dose, as determined by the Food and Nutrition Board in 1997, is now rather insufficient, the biggest problem being associated with maximal vitamin D levels (50 μg/day) in actually available food supplements. Nowadays, it is recommended that adults need a minimum of 800-1,000 U/day when their exposure to the sun is inadequate (in Poland from October to April). This dosage should be provided to all subjects who avoid sunlight, as well as to those aged over 65 because of their slower skin synthesis of vitamin D and for its proven anti-fracture and anti-fall effects.

Leptin is considered to exert dual effect on bone metabolism: anabolic (through peripheral pathways) and antiosteogenic (through central nervous system). The total leptin's effect on bone is not known. The aim of the study was to examine bone metabolism and leptin concentration in patients with morbid obesity before and after bariatric surgery (BS).Forty one patients with morbid obesity selected for BS were included in the prospective study. Body mass index (BMI), serum leptin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine (LS) and proximal femur (PF) were examined before and 6 months after BS.Before operation (mean BMI 44.0 kg/m(2)) mean leptin and PTH concentration was increased (accordingly 37.1 ng/ml and 82.7 pg/ml), mean 25OHD concentration was decreased to 4.3 ng/ml. Mean BMD was within the upper limit of the population reference range. Leptin concentration was positively correlated with BMI. There was no correlation of leptin with BMD (in LS and PF), PTH and 25(OH)D. Following the operation (mean BMI 31.8 kg/m(2)) mean leptin concentration decreased by 30.6 ng/ml (p0.001), PTH decreased by 38.9 pg/ml (p0.001), 25(OH)D increased by 2.1 ng/ml (NS). Mean BMD in LS increased by 0.067 g/cm(2) (p0.005), in PF decreased by 0.044 g/cm(2) (p0.02). Leptin was positively correlated with BMI but not with BMD (in both sites), PTH, 25(OH)D.Weight loss in patients with morbid obesity after BS leads to decrease in serum leptin, increase in BMD in LS and decrease in PF. These changes are accompanied by regression of hyperparathyroidism, which is probably secondary to vitamin D deficiency.

Background and aims: In clinical trials, the most frequent reasons for treatment discontinuation are adverse events and personal conflicts with medical staff. However, in ‘real life’, i.e. not in the frame of a controlled and monitored trial, other reasons are also possible, when not only discontinuation, but also switching of treatment happens. The aim of this study was to estimate how often and why persistent osteoporosis patients switch from one treatment to another. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 1314 ambulatory treated persistent osteoporosis patients was performed (1180 F, 134 M, mean age±SD: 66.5±10 yrs, BMI 26.4±4.2 kg/m2). Drugs used for osteoporosis, duration of treatment, frequency and reasons for drug switching were all analyzed. Results: In 530 (40.3%) patients, treatment was not changed during the observation period (16.1±9.1 months). In 784 (59.7%) patients at least one drug switch happened, and the total number of switches was 1117 (1–5 switches/patient). The mean time of observation in this group was 22.3±14.9 months. The most frequent reasons for drug switching were: adverse event (34.6% of all switches), high price of the drug (28.7%) and ineffective treatment (13.3%). Conclusions: In almost 60% of the persistent patients, at least one switch of antiosteoporotic treatment occurred in the nearly 2-year observation period. The most frequent reasons for drug switching were adverse reactions, the high price of the drug, and ineffective treatment.

Sixty-two outpatients were assessed and divided into the following groups: 20 patients who had had partial gastrectomy (PG group), 22 patients who had had truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty (TV group) or high selective vagotomy (HSV group), and 20 patients who had had cholecystectomy (CH group). The patients' age ranged from 35 to 64 years (mean 45 years), and the average postoperative period was 9 years. None of the patients evidenced clinical or biochemical symptoms of malnutrition or malabsorption or of diseases affecting vitamin D metabolism. The function of the kidneys and the liver was normal. An age-matched group of volunteers served as a control group. The calcium dietary intake was determined using a standardized questionnaire; and the levels of serum calcium (Cas), phosphate (Ps), alkaline phosphatase (AP), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and the excretion of Ca in a sample of fasting urine corrected for concurrent creatine excretion (FuCa/cr) were assessed by means of standard laboratory techniques. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine (L2-4) and femoral neck (neck-L) was determined by means of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The daily Ca dietary intake was lower than recommended (RDA) in 80% of the patients, with most of them ingesting less than 300 mg daily. The mean values of Cas, Ps, AP, and FuCa/cr did not differ from those in the controls. Significantly reduced 25(OH)D levels were observed in the PG group (7.0 ng/ml) (p < 0.001) and CH group (12.5 ng/ml) (p < 0.01) compared with the values in the control group (20.0 ng/ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)