Comparison of Surgical and Medical Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes in Severely Obese Adolescents

Presurgery health influences outcomes following vertical sleeve gastrectomy in adolescents

OBJECTIVE

Weight loss following vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) in youth can range from 10% to 50%. We examined whether there are differences in demographic or metabolic parameters before VSG in youth who achieve above-average weight loss (AAWL) versus below-average weight loss (BAWL) at 1 year post VSG and if youth with BAWL still achieve metabolic health improvements at 1 year post VSG.

METHODS

Demographic, anthropometric, and clinical lab data were collected before VSG and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after VSG.

RESULTS

Forty-three youth with a mean age of 16.9 (SD 1.7) years before VSG were studied; 70% were female, 19% non-Hispanic Black, 58% non-Hispanic White, and 23% mixed/other race. Mean baseline BMI was 51.1 (SD 10.5) kg/m2. Average weight loss was 25.8%. The AAWL group lost 18.6 kg/m2 (35.3%) versus the BAWL group, who lost 8.8 kg/m2 (17.5%). BMI, age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status at baseline were similar between AAWL and BAWL groups; however, the BAWL group had a higher frequency of pre-VSG dysglycemia, steatotic liver disease, and dyslipidemia. At 1 year post VSG, fewer youth in the BAWL group achieved ideal health parameters, and they had less resolution of comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of comorbidities before VSG is associated with less weight loss and reduced resolution of metabolic conditions at 1 year post VSG.

A practical evidence-based approach to management of type 2 diabetes in children and young people (CYP): UK consensus

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes in young people is an aggressive disease with a greater risk of complications leading to increased morbidity and mortality during the most productive years of life. Prevalence in the UK and globally is rising yet experience in managing this condition is limited. There are no consensus guidelines in the UK for the assessment and management of paediatric type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Multidisciplinary professionals from The Association of Children's Diabetes Clinicians (ACDC) and the National Type 2 Diabetes Working Group reviewed the evidence base and made recommendations using the Grading Of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Young people with type 2 diabetes should be managed within a paediatric diabetes team with close working with adult diabetes specialists, primary care and other paediatric specialties. Diagnosis of diabetes type can be challenging with many overlapping features. Diabetes antibodies may be needed to aid diagnosis. Co-morbidities and complications are frequently present at diagnosis and should be managed holistically. Lifestyle change and metformin are the mainstay of early treatment, with some needing additional basal insulin. GLP1 agonists should be used as second-line agents once early ketosis and symptoms are controlled. Glycaemic control improves microvascular but not cardiovascular risk. Reduction in excess adiposity, smoking prevention, increased physical activity and reduction of hypertension and dyslipidaemia are essential to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events.

CONCLUSIONS

This evidence-based guideline aims to provide a practical approach in managing this condition in the UK.

Associations between marital status and weight loss trajectories entering into early adulthood: a Teen-LABS study

BACKGROUND

Among adolescents who underwent metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), it is unclear how relationships and specifically marital status (MS) may be associated with long-term weight loss.

OBJECTIVE

In this analysis, we tested for associations between the MS of adolescents who underwent MBS and the MS of their primary caregiver and weight loss trajectory over 8 years.

SETTING

Teen-LABS participating sites.

METHODS

This sample included 231 participants (75.3% female, 71.4% White, 68.0% Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 27.7% vertical sleeve gastrectomy, 4.3% laparoscopic adjustable gastric band). A linear mixed model was conducted with the dependent variable percent body mass index (BMI) change from preoperatively through 8 years with between-participant factors (1) participant MS, (2) caregiver MS, and (3) interaction between caregiver and participant MS.

RESULTS

One third of participants and 87% of caregivers were ever married (EM). Compared with never-married (NM) participants and caregivers (-14.6%), EM participants and caregivers (-20.6%), EM participants and NM caregivers (-25.9%), and NM participants and EM caregivers (-19.8%), each had significantly greater BMI loss at 8 years (each P < .05). No other group comparisons achieved statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

NM participants with NM caregivers had less favorable long-term BMI. Additional research is needed to better understand how relationships affect behavior change and weight loss after MBS.

Sleeve gastrectomy for the treatment of adolescent obesity in children aged 13 and under: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) induces weight reduction and improves metabolic co-morbidities in children with severe obesity but remains underutilized, especially for young adolescents and preadolescents.

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized there would be no differences in weight loss or co-morbidity resolution at 1 year post-SG in children who underwent SG at 13 years or younger compared to children who underwent SG at 17-18 years old.

SETTING

Academic medical center, United States.

METHODS

Medical records of children who underwent laparoscopic SG at a quaternary academic center from September 2014 to October 2022 were reviewed. A cohort of 15 patients, ≤13 years of age, was compared to a matched cohort of 15 older adolescent patients. Preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

Both cohorts had similar baseline characteristics. Median preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 51.8 kg/m2 for the ≤13 cohort compared to 50.9 kg/m2 in the older cohort (P = .87). Time to postoperative enteral feeds and length of stay were similar between both groups, and there were no 30-day readmissions or immediate postoperative complications. Median percentage excess BMI loss at 1 year postoperation was 54% (IQR, 25.5%-94.5%) for the ≤13 cohort compared with 44% (IQR, 34.0%-51.0%) for the older cohort (P = .34). Two of 11 patients were lost to follow-up in the younger group compared to 4 of 15 in the older group (P = .61). Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in metabolic syndrome co-morbidities after SG.

CONCLUSION

SG in younger children is associated with successful postsurgical outcomes compared with adolescents, with effective weight loss and improvement of obesity-related metabolic co-morbidities.

Enhanced recovery after surgery improves clinical outcomes in adolescent bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are evidence-based, multimodal approaches to optimize patient recovery and minimize complications.

OBJECTIVES

Our team evaluated clinical outcomes following the implementation of an ERAS protocol for adolescents undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery.

SETTING

Academic hospital, New York, NY, USA.

METHODS

We performed a single-institution longitudinal assessment of adolescents who underwent laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) between August 2021 and November 2022. Unpaired t-tests and Fisher's exact test were used to compare means between groups and categorical factors.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients were included in the study, 21 who participated in the ERAS protocol and 22 control patients. ERAS cohort was 52% females, with a median age of 17.5 years and a median body mass index (BMI) of 46.3 kg/m2. The non-ERAS cohort was 59% females, with a median age of 16.7 years and a median BMI of 44.0 kg/m2. There were no significant differences between baseline characteristics. Patients in the ERAS group had a shorter time to oral intake (10.7 hours versus 21.5 hours, P < .01), lower morphine milligram equivalents (18.2 versus 97.0, P < .01), and shorter length of stay (1.5 days versus 2.0 days, P = .01). There were no significant differences between return visits to the emergency department (ED) within 30 days (3 versus 2, P = .66) or readmissions (0 versus 1, P = 1.0).

CONCLUSIONS

The described ERAS protocol is safe and effective in adolescents undergoing laparoscopic VSG and is associated with shorter time to oral intake, reduced opioid requirements, and shorter hospital lengths of stay with no increase in return ED visits or readmissions.

Early onset type 2 diabetes mellitus: an update

The incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in young individuals (aged <40 years) have significantly increased in recent years, approximating two to threefold increase in the respective rates. Numerous risk factors including severe obesity, family history, ethnicity, maternal diabetes or gestational diabetes, and female sex contribute to a younger age of onset. In terms of pathogenesis, impaired insulin secretion is the key operating mechanism, alongside with ectopic adiposity-related insulin resistance. T2DM diagnosis in a young adult requires the exclusion of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) and maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). The establishment of such diagnosis is critical for prognosis, because early-onset T2DM is associated with rapid deterioration in pancreatic β-cell secretory function leading to earlier initiation of insulin therapy. Furthermore, mortality and lifetime risk of developing complications, especially microvascular, is increased in these patients compared to both later-onset T2DM and T1DM patients; also, the latter are often developed earlier in the course of disease. The management of early-onset T2DM follows the same guidelines as in later-onset T2DM; yet patients aged 18-39 years are underrepresented in the big clinical trials on which the development of guidelines is based. Finally, young people with T2DM face significant challenges associated with social determinants, which compromise their adherence to therapy and induce diabetes distress. Future research focusing on the pathogenesis of β-cell decline and complications, as well as on specific treatment shall lead to better understanding and management of early-onset T2DM.

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Children: Current Practices and Outcomes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review will examine the most current evidence for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (MBS) in the pediatric population, specifically in terms of weight loss outcomes and improvement in comorbid conditions and complications. Additionally, we compare surgical and non-surgical interventions, review current guidelines, and propose a stepwise evidence-based approach to the management of obesity in children.

RECENT FINDINGS

MBS is a safe option for appropriately selected pediatric patients which leads to significant and sustained weight loss. This weight loss is associated with improvement of related comorbid conditions. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has emerged as the procedure of choice with a better safety profile. Despite the evidence, very few adolescents undergo MBS. New pharmacologic agents specifically the GLP-1/GIP agents have shown early promise especially in patients under body mass index 40, but the long-term effects are unknown. MBS is an effective tool in the management of pediatric obesity, and its use has been recommended by professional societies. Early referral to a multidisciplinary obesity team can help identify appropriate patients.

14. Children and Adolescents: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, an interprofessional expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

Outcomes after metabolic and bariatric surgery in preteens versus teens using the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program database and center-specific data

OBJECTIVE

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently released clinical guidelines for the treatment of childhood obesity, including surgery being appropriate for children 13 years of age and older. The use of this age cut-off was due to a lack of data for children younger than 13. To address this knowledge gap, the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) database was queried to compare outcomes in preteens to teens after bariatric surgery hypothesizing that there would be no difference in outcomes between the two groups.

METHODS

Patients from the MSAQIP database (2016-2021) were identified and divided into groups <13 years and 13-18 years and were matched using propensity scores based on race, sex, and preoperative BMI. Outcomes were compared including change in BMI, complication rates, 30-day readmission or reoperation, and mortality. Additionally, the centers responsible for the bulk of the preteen patient entries queried their center-specific databases to evaluate weight loss over time.

RESULTS

A total of 4755 patients were identified, 47 of whom were <13 years of age. Preteens had similar sex distribution (66% vs. 75% female), were more likely to be Black (27.7% vs. 18.3%) or Hispanic (21.3% vs. 7.6%) race, and weighed less (274 ± 58 vs. 293 ± 85 lb, p = 0.01), but they had similar BMI (46.9 ± 7 vs. 47 ± 13 kg/m2 ) as their teen counterparts. Preteens were more likely to suffer from sleep apnea (34% vs. 19%, p < 0.01) and insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes (10.6% vs. 1.8%, p < 0.01). There were no complications in the preteens compared to teens (0% vs. 0.5%), and they did not undergo any unplanned readmissions (0% vs. 2.9%) or reoperations (0% vs. 0.8%) within 30 days of surgery. There were also no mortalities reported in preteens (0% vs. 0.1%). The risk-adjusted decrease in BMI between preteens and teens was also comparable at 30 days (4.2 [95% CI: 3.0-5.4] vs. 4.6 [95% CI: 4.4-4.7], p = 0.6). Decrease in BMI in preteens was 7 ± 3 kg/m2 at 3 months and 9 ± 4 kg/m2 at 12 months after surgery, which represented a percentage BMI change of 16 ± 7 and 20 ± 8, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that bariatric surgery in preteens is safe and efficacious when performed at specialized centers, and that age criteria may not be required. The AAP and others are encouraged to include age cut-offs in their guidelines for children with obesity and bariatric surgery only when data are available to support their inclusion.

Approach to the Patient: Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes

Youth-onset type 2 diabetes is a growing epidemic with a rising incidence worldwide. Although the pathogenesis and diagnosis of youth-onset type 2 diabetes are similar to adult-onset type 2 diabetes, youth-onset type 2 diabetes is unique, with greater insulin resistance, insulin hypersecretion, and faster progression of pancreatic beta cell function decline. Individuals with youth-onset type 2 diabetes also develop complications at higher rates within short periods of time compared to adults with type 2 diabetes or youth with type 1 diabetes. The highest prevalence and incidence of youth-onset type 2 diabetes in the United States is among youth from minoritized racial and ethnic groups. Risk factors include obesity, family history of type 2 diabetes, comorbid conditions and use of medications associated with insulin resistance and rapid weight gain, socioeconomic and environmental stressors, and birth history of small-for-gestational-age or pregnancy associated with gestational or pregestational diabetes. Patients with youth-onset type 2 diabetes should be treated using a multidisciplinary model with frequent clinic visits and emphasis on addressing of social and psychological barriers to care and glycemic control, as well as close monitoring for comorbidities and complications. Intensive health behavior therapy is an important component of treatment, in addition to medical management, both of which should be initiated at the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are limited but growing pharmacologic treatment options, including metformin, insulin, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. Although long-term outcomes are not fully known, metabolic/bariatric surgery in youth with type 2 diabetes has led to improved cardiometabolic outcomes.

Comparing bariatric surgery and medical therapy for obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Mounting evidence in recent years has demonstrated that the number of obese adolescents has continued to rise. Obese adolescents are more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which causes additional harm. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of bariatric surgery and medical treatment.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter, nonrandomized, retrospective study on 202 obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes who received surgery or medical treatment in three hospitals from 2017 to 2019. We analyzed the effects of surgery and medical treatment in terms of weight loss, glycemic control and the remission of type 2 diabetes. Propensity score matching was conducted to balance the confounding factors.

RESULTS

Among the 202 adolescents, 109 adolescents underwent surgery, and the remaining 93 adolescents received nonsurgical treatment. Both in the entire cohort and in the propensity-score matching cohort, the mean body mass index (BMI) and total weight in the surgery group notably decreased. Similarly, the effect of surgery on glycemic control (with respect to HBG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR) was superior to that of medical treatment. In the surgery group, the remission rate of diabetes was 76.1% in the entire cohort and 80.5% in the matched group, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (6.5% and 5.7%, respectively). In addition, LRYGB had better effects on weight loss and glycemic control than LSG.

CONCLUSION

Bariatric surgery is more effective in the control of weight loss and type 2 diabetes than medical treatment. The effects between different types of bariatric surgeries remain to be further investigated, and longer follow-up times are needed.

Benefits of bariatric surgery on microvascular outcomes in adult patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Microvascular diabetes complications impair patients' health-related quality of life. Bariatric surgery (BS) emerged as a compelling treatment that demonstrated to have beneficial effects on patients with diabetes and obesity.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to synthesize the benefit of bariatric surgery on microvascular outcomes in adult patients with type 2 diabetes.

SETTING

2011-2021.

METHODS

We included both cohort studies and randomized trials that evaluated bariatric surgery added to medical therapy compared with medical therapy alone in the treatment of adult patients with type 2 diabetes. Studies must have evaluated the incidence of any microvascular complication of the disease for a period of at least 6 months. We performed our search using PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and COCHRANE Central database which was performed from inception date until March 2021. PROSPERO (CRD42021243739).

RESULTS

A total of 25 studies (160,072 participants) were included. Pooled analysis revealed bariatric surgery to reduce the incidence of any stage of retinopathy by 71% (odds ratio [OR] .29; 95% confidence interval [CI] .10-.91), nephropathy incidence by 59% (OR .41; 95% CI 17-96), and hemodialysis/end-stage renal disease by 69% (OR .31 95% CI .20-.48). Neuropathy incidence revealed no difference between groups (OR .11; 95% CI .01-1.37). Bariatric surgery increased the odds of albuminuria regression by 15.15 (95% CI 5.96-38.52); higher odds of retinopathy regression were not observed (OR 3.73; 95% CI .29-47.71). There were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding the change in surrogate outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Bariatric surgery in adult patients with diabetes reduced the odds of any stage of retinopathy, hemodialysis/end-stage renal disease, and nephropathy composite outcome. However, its effect on many individual outcomes, both surrogates, and clinically significant, remains uncertain.

Complications and Treatment of Early-Onset Type 2 Diabetes

Context

Global reports have revealed a dramatic rise in the number of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) over the past three decades in all age groups, even in children and adolescents. The physiologic phenomenon of insulin resistance during puberty, as well as genetic and epigenetic factors, are implicated in this phenomenon. It seems that patients with early-onset T2DM experience a more aggressive clinical course; however, limited treatments available for these patients pose a challenge. This narrative review intends to scrutinize the micro- and macrovascular complications and treatments of patients with early-onset T2DM.

Methods

The literature search was conducted in the PubMed database to identify all relevant original English articles published from the beginning of 2018 until January 2023.

Results

Vascular complications, such as albuminuria, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and retinopathy, were seen to be more common in early-onset T2DM compared to type 1 diabetes. The odds ratio of vascular complications was higher in early-onset compared to late-onset T2DM. In children and adolescents with T2DM, the only approved medications included metformin, insulin, and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists. Treatment of early-onset T2DM with metformin monotherapy cannot yield durable glycemic control, and most patients need early combination therapy.

Conclusions

During the past years, the frequency of early-onset T2DM has been growing at an alarming rate. Vascular complications in these patients seem more aggressive and more challenging to control. Hence, further clinical trials should be conducted to develop novel therapeutic approaches and evaluate their long-term benefits in terms of glycemic control and preventing future complications.

Endocrine Health and Health Care Disparities in the Pediatric and Sexual and Gender Minority Populations: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement

Endocrine care of pediatric and adult patients continues to be plagued by health and health care disparities that are perpetuated by the basic structures of our health systems and research modalities, as well as policies that impact access to care and social determinants of health. This scientific statement expands the Society's 2012 statement by focusing on endocrine disease disparities in the pediatric population and sexual and gender minority populations. These include pediatric and adult lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) persons. The writing group focused on highly prevalent conditions-growth disorders, puberty, metabolic bone disease, type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes mellitus, prediabetes, and obesity. Several important findings emerged. Compared with females and non-White children, non-Hispanic White males are more likely to come to medical attention for short stature. Racially and ethnically diverse populations and males are underrepresented in studies of pubertal development and attainment of peak bone mass, with current norms based on European populations. Like adults, racial and ethnic minority youth suffer a higher burden of disease from obesity, T1D and T2D, and have less access to diabetes treatment technologies and bariatric surgery. LGBTQIA youth and adults also face discrimination and multiple barriers to endocrine care due to pathologizing sexual orientation and gender identity, lack of culturally competent care providers, and policies. Multilevel interventions to address these disparities are required. Inclusion of racial, ethnic, and LGBTQIA populations in longitudinal life course studies is needed to assess growth, puberty, and attainment of peak bone mass. Growth and development charts may need to be adapted to non-European populations. In addition, extension of these studies will be required to understand the clinical and physiologic consequences of interventions to address abnormal development in these populations. Health policies should be recrafted to remove barriers in care for children with obesity and/or diabetes and for LGBTQIA children and adults to facilitate comprehensive access to care, therapeutics, and technological advances. Public health interventions encompassing collection of accurate demographic and social needs data, including the intersection of social determinants of health with health outcomes, and enactment of population health level interventions will be essential tools.

The treatment of obesity in children and adolescents: consensus position statement of the Italian society of pediatric endocrinology and diabetology, Italian Society of Pediatrics and Italian Society of Pediatric Surgery

This Position Statement updates the different components of the therapy of obesity (lifestyle intervention, drugs, and surgery) in children and adolescents, previously reported in the consensus position statement on pediatric obesity of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology and the Italian Society of Pediatrics. Lifestyle intervention is the first step of treatment. In children older than 12 years, pharmacotherapy is the second step, and bariatric surgery is the third one, in selected cases. Novelties are available in the field of the medical treatment of obesity. In particular, new drugs demonstrated their efficacy and safety and have been approved in adolescents. Moreover, several randomized control trials with other drugs are in process and it is likely that some of them will become available in the future. The increase of the portfolio of treatment options for obesity in children and adolescents is promising for a more effective treatment of this disorder.

Improving Access to Child and Adolescent Weight Loss Surgery: A Review of Updated National and International Practice Guidelines

The rise of childhood obesity is a growing concern due to its negative impact on health. Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) has gained popularity as an effective and adequate intervention for children and adolescent patients living with severe obesity. Nonetheless, access to MBS for this population is still limited. The objective of this paper is to conduct a comprehensive review of the latest national and international practice guidelines and improve access to MBS for children and adolescents. The paper focuses on the recommendations from the 2023 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and 2022 guidelines from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). Recently updated guidelines from the ASMBS and IFSO aim to improve access to MBS for children and adolescents and recommend patient selection, preoperative evaluation, and postoperative care. While lifestyle changes, medication, and behavioral therapy are commonly prescribed, they often fail to achieve permanent weight loss and its maintenance. Weight-loss surgeries like sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and gastric bypass (RYGB) show promising results in managing severe obesity in adolescents. SG has become the preferred method for treating severe obesity in adolescents, surpassing RYGB. Weight stigma is also explored in this review, revealing its negative effects on individuals who are overweight and underweight. Furthermore, telehealth is identified as an increasingly valuable tool for managing pediatric obesity, as it can improve access to care, particularly for those in remote areas where physicians trained to treat childhood obesity and the shortage of bariatric surgeons experienced in treating younger adolescents and pediatricians with advanced training are major obstacles.

Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes: Burden of Complications and Socioeconomic Cost

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With the rise in prevalence of youth-onset type 2 diabetes (T2DM), it is imperative to understand the clinical burden of the disease and the socioeconomic burden this disease imposes. We review the most recent data on youth-onset T2DM, including its pathophysiology, complications, and treatment. We also review existing data to determine the socioeconomic burden of youth-onset T2DM.

RECENT FINDINGS

The incidence of youth-onset T2DM is rising, and significantly accelerated following the COVID-19 pandemic. Youth with T2DM are more frequently from families of racial/ethnic minorities and lower socioeconomic status. Youth-onset T2DM has more rapid disease progression compared to adult-onset type 2 diabetes. It results in earlier and more severe microvascular and macrovascular complications compared to both adult-onset T2DM and youth-onset type 1 diabetes (T1DM). While there is a lack of data describing the socioeconomic cost of youth-onset T2DM, based on extrapolation from analyses of the burden of T2DM in adults and T1DM in youth, we propose that youth-onset T2DM has higher direct and indirect costs than adult-onset T2DM. Youth-onset T2DM presents a significant clinical and socioeconomic burden due to its aggressive presentation and earlier appearance of complications. Additional research is needed regarding the cost of illness in this population.

From Metabolic Syndrome to Type 2 Diabetes in Youth

In the frame of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes emerges along a continuum of the risk from the clustering of all its components, namely visceral obesity, high blood pressure and lipids, and impaired glucose homeostasis. Insulin resistance is the hallmark common to all the components and, in theory, is a reversible condition. Nevertheless, the load that this condition can exert on the β-cell function at the pubertal transition is such as to determine its rapid and irreversible deterioration leading to plain diabetes. The aim of this review is to highlight, in the context of metabolic syndrome, age-specific risk factors that lead to type 2 diabetes onset in youth; resume age specific screening and diagnostic criteria; and anticipate potential for treatment. Visceral obesity and altered lipid metabolism are robust grounds for the development of the disease. Genetic differences in susceptibility to hampered β-cell function in the setting of obesity and insulin resistance largely explain why some adolescents with obesity do develop diabetes at a young age and some others do not. Lifestyle intervention with a healthy diet and physical activity remains the pillar of the type 2 diabetes treatment in youth. As to the pharmacological management, metformin and insulin have failed to rescue β-cell function and to ensure long-lasting glycemic control in youth. A new era might start with the approval for use in pediatric age of drugs largely prescribed in adults, such as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and sodium-dependent glucose transport inhibitors, and of new weight-lowering drugs in the pipeline such as single and multiple agonists of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor. The latter drugs can have tremendous impact on the natural history of the disease. By treating diabetes, they will reduce the burden of all the metabolic abnormalities belonging to the syndrome while causing a tremendous weight loss hitherto never seen before.

Youth-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus: an urgent challenge

The incidence and prevalence of youth-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications are increasing worldwide. Youth-onset T2DM has been reported in all racial and ethnic groups, but Indigenous peoples and people of colour are disproportionately affected. People with youth-onset T2DM often have a more aggressive clinical course than those with adult-onset T2DM or those with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Moreover, the available treatment options for children and adolescents with T2DM are more limited than for adult patients. Intermediate complications of youth-onset T2DM, such as increased albuminuria, often develop in late childhood or early adulthood, and end-stage complications, including kidney failure, develop in mid-life. The increasing frequency, earlier onset and greater severity of childhood obesity in the past 50 years together with increasingly sedentary lifestyles and an increasing frequency of intrauterine exposure to diabetes are important drivers of the epidemic of youth-onset T2DM. The particularly high risk of the disease in historically disadvantaged populations suggests an important contribution of social and environmental factors, including limited access to high-quality health care, healthy food choices and opportunities for physical activity as well as exposure to stressors including systemic racism and environmental pollutants. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie the development and aggressive clinical course of youth-onset T2DM is key to identifying successful prevention and management strategies.

Appraisal of Clinical Care Practices for Child Obesity Treatment. Part I: Interventions

The objective of this technical report is to provide clinicians with evidence-based, actionable information upon which to make assessment and treatment decisions for children and adolescents with obesity. In addition, this report will provide an evidence base to inform clinical practice guidelines for the management and treatment of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. To this end, the goal of this report was to identify all relevant studies to answer 2 overarching key questions: (KQ1) "What are clinically based, effective treatments for obesity?" and (KQ2) "What is the risk of comorbidities among children with obesity?" See Appendix 1 for the conceptual framework and a priori key questions.

Adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes: Overcoming Barriers to Effective Weight Management

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) among children and adolescents has remarkably increased in the last two decades, particularly among ethnic minorities. Management of T2DM is challenging in the adolescent population due to a constellation of factors, including biological, socioeconomic, cultural, and psychological barriers. Weight reduction is an essential component in management of T2DM as weight loss is associated with improvement in insulin sensitivity and glycemic status. A family centered and culturally appropriate approach offered by a multidisciplinary team is crucial to address the biological, psychosocial, cultural, and financial barriers to weight management in youth with T2DM. Lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy have shown modest efficacy in achieving weight reduction in adolescents with T2DM. Bariatric surgery is associated with excellent weight reduction and remission of T2DM in youth. Emerging therapies for weight reduction in youth include digital technologies, newer GLP-1 agonists and endoscopic procedures.

14. Children and Adolescents: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2023

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

2022 American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) Indications for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

MAJOR UPDATES TO 1991 NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH GUIDELINES FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is recommended for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m2, regardless of presence, absence, or severity of co-morbidities.MBS should be considered for individuals with metabolic disease and BMI of 30-34.9 kg/m2.BMI thresholds should be adjusted in the Asian population such that a BMI >25 kg/m2 suggests clinical obesity, and individuals with BMI >27.5 kg/m2 should be offered MBS.Long-term results of MBS consistently demonstrate safety and efficacy.Appropriately selected children and adolescents should be considered for MBS.(Surg Obes Relat Dis 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2022.08.013 ) © 2022 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.

2022 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO): Indications for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Major updates to 1991 National Institutes of Health guidelines for bariatric surgery.

Data assimilation on mechanistic models of glucose metabolism predicts glycemic states in adolescents following bariatric surgery

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complex and under-treated disorder closely intertwined with obesity. Adolescents with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes have a more aggressive disease compared to adults, with a rapid decline in pancreatic β cell function and increased incidence of comorbidities. Given the relative paucity of pharmacotherapies, bariatric surgery has become increasingly used as a therapeutic option. However, subsets of this population have sub-optimal outcomes with either inadequate weight loss or little improvement in disease. Predicting which patients will benefit from surgery is a difficult task and detailed physiological characteristics of patients who do not respond to treatment are generally unknown. Identifying physiological predictors of surgical response therefore has the potential to reveal both novel phenotypes of disease as well as therapeutic targets. We leverage data assimilation paired with mechanistic models of glucose metabolism to estimate pre-operative physiological states of bariatric surgery patients, thereby identifying latent phenotypes of impaired glucose metabolism. Specifically, maximal insulin secretion capacity, σ, and insulin sensitivity, S_I, differentiate aberrations in glucose metabolism underlying an individual's disease. Using multivariable logistic regression, we combine clinical data with data assimilation to predict post-operative glycemic outcomes at 12 months. Models using data assimilation sans insulin had comparable performance to models using oral glucose tolerance test glucose and insulin. Our best performing models used data assimilation and had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.7665, 0.7734) and mean average precision of 0.6258 (0.6206, 0.6311). We show that data assimilation extracts knowledge from mechanistic models of glucose metabolism to infer future glycemic states from limited clinical data. This method can provide a pathway to predict long-term, post-surgical glycemic states by estimating the contributions of insulin resistance and limitations of insulin secretion to pre-operative glucose metabolism.

Metabolic and hormonal changes after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in pediatric population: An observational study

Introduction

Despite the growing popularity of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) for managing severe obesity in children, adolescents, and adults, there is a paucity of studies reporting the effects of SG on metabolic and hormonal outcomes in pediatric populations.

Methodology

In this single-centre, retrospective study, we assessed nutritional biomarkers (hemoglobin, ferritin, iron profile, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and calcium), glucose homeostasis indicators (C-peptide, HbA1C, and random blood glucose), blood lipids (triglycerides and cholesterol components), hormones involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone), and thyroid hormones (T3, T4, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and parathyroid hormone) preoperatively and 12-month after SG in children aged 5-15 years.

Results

This study included 64 adolescents (mean age = 11.2 ± 2.3 years) who underwent laparoscopic SG. Significant reduction in circulatory C-peptide (-62.1%; p = 0.005), HbA1C (-10.9%; p = 0.001), random blood glucose (-15.4%; p = 0.036), and triglycerides (-39.4%; p = 0.003) were observed postoperatively at 12 months compared to baseline. Although we did not observe any changes in cortisol levels, adrenocorticotropic hormone levels declined significantly by -40.9% postoperatively (p = 0.033). However, cholesterol components, thyroid hormones, and nutritional biomarkers remained unchanged from baseline.

Conclusions

Consistent with prior literature, our study demonstrates improvement or resolution of diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia in the year following SG. However, given that blood cholesterol components, nutritional biomarkers, and thyroid profiles remained unchanged warrants long-term monitoring of nutritional, metabolic, and endocrine factors in adolescents undergoing laparoscopic SG. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the effects of SG on thyroid and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hormones in pediatric populations.

Youth versus adult-onset type 2 diabetic kidney disease: Insights into currently known structural differences and the potential underlying mechanisms

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a global health pandemic with significant humanitarian, economic, and societal implications, particularly for youth and young adults who are experiencing an exponential rise in incident disease. Youth-onset T2D has a more aggressive phenotype than adult-onset T2D, and this translates to important differences in rates of progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). We hypothesize that youth-onset DKD due to T2D may exhibit morphometric, metabolic, and molecular characteristics that are distinct from adult-onset T2D and develop secondary to inherent differences in renal energy expenditure and substrate metabolism, resulting in a central metabolic imbalance. Kidney structural changes that are evident at the onset of puberty also serve to exacerbate the organ’s baseline high rates of energy expenditure. Additionally, the physiologic state of insulin resistance seen during puberty increases the risk for kidney disease and is exacerbated by both concurrent diabetes and obesity. A metabolic mismatch in renal energetics may represent a novel target for pharmacologic intervention, both for prevention and treatment of DKD. Further investigation into the underlying molecular mechanisms resulting in DKD in youth-onset T2D using metabolomics and RNA sequencing of kidney tissue obtained at biopsy is necessary to expand our understanding of early DKD and potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, large-scale clinical trials evaluating the duration of kidney protective effects of pharmacologic interventions that target a metabolic mismatch in kidney energy expenditure are needed to help mitigate the risk of DKD in youth-onset T2D.

Medical treatment of weight loss in children and adolescents with obesity

Obesity remains one of the biggest health problems both in adults and children. Lifestyle modification, including diet and exercise, continues to be the mainstay of obesity prevention and treatment. Unfortunately, lifestyle modifications are often unsuccessful. Pharmacological treatment of obesity in pediatric patients can be applied in selected cases, and not before evidence of failure of the multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention. In this narrative review, we revised the most up-to-date evidence on medical treatment of weight loss in children and adolescents with obesity, including FDA- or EMA-approved and -experimented, not approved, drugs for pediatric population. Multidisciplinary treatment of childhood obesity, regulation of appetite control, energy balance and body weight were also discussed, in order to clarify the indications and mechanism action of drugs. Despite a substantial number of medications used for the treatment of obesity in adults, a limited number of drugs are approved by the drug regulatory agencies for pediatric population. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of novel pharmacological approaches for treatment of pediatric obesity in order to optimize weight management for children and adolescents and limit the development obesity-related comorbidities.

Role of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, Cardiovascular Disease and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) include leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Mammalians cannot synthesize these amino acids de novo and must acquire them through their diet. High levels of BCAAs are associated with insulin resistance; type 2 diabetes; obesity; and non-metabolic diseases, including several forms of cancer. BCAAs—in particular leucine—activate the rapamycin complex1 mTORC1, which regulates cell growth and metabolism, glucose metabolism and several more essential physiological processes. Diets rich in BCAAs are associated with metabolic diseases (listed above), while diets low in BCAAs are generally reported to promote metabolic health. As for the dysregulation of the metabolism caused by high levels of BCAAs, recent studies propose that the accumulation of acyl-carnitine and diacyl-CoA in muscles alters lipid metabolism. However, this suggestion is not broadly accepted. On clinical grounds, pre- and post-operative metabolic profiles of candidate patients for bariatric surgery are being used to select the optimal procedure for each individual patient.

Associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior with appetite sensations and eating regulation behaviors before and during the initial year following bariatric surgery

Background

Bariatric surgery produces weight loss in part by impacting appetite and eating behavior. Research suggests physical activity (PA) assists with regulation of appetite and eating during non-surgical weight loss, although whether PA carries similar benefits in the context of bariatric surgery is unknown.

Objective

Evaluate associations of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) and sedentary time (ST) with appetite sensations (hunger [homeostatic/hedonic], satiety) and eating regulation behaviors (restraint, disinhibition) before and during the initial year following bariatric surgery.

Method

Adult bariatric patients received an accelerometer to measure MVPA/ST and a smartphone to complete appetite/eating ratings at four semi-random times daily for 10 days at pre- and 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-surgery. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models.

Results

Higher MVPA levels related to more satiety across time (p = 0.045) and more restraint at 3-months post-surgery (p < 0.001). At pre-surgery, higher MVPA levels also related to more disinhibition (p's < 0.01), although participants reported more disinhibition on days they performed less MVPA than usual (p = 0.017). MVPA did not relate to hunger. Lower ST levels related to more hedonic hunger (p = 0.003), especially at 12-months post-surgery (p < 0.001), and participants reported more homeostatic hunger on days they accumulated more ST than usual (p = 0.044). Additionally, higher ST levels related to more disinhibition at 3-months post-surgery (p's < 0.01) and lower restraint at pre-surgery (p's < 0.05). ST did not relate to satiety.

Conclusions

This study is the first to show that MVPA and ST each associate with appetite and eating regulation in daily life before and during post-surgical weight loss. Results, while preliminary and requiring experimental confirmation, highlight potential for targeting bariatric patients' activity behaviors to enhance modulation of appetite, control of food intake, and resistance to overeating.

Caring for Young Adults With Diabetes in the Adult Care Setting: Summary of a Multidisciplinary Roundtable

Aims

A multidisciplinary team of clinicians and researchers, patients and family members, and representative from national advocacy groups and research organization met to review the literature, highlight gaps, and identify best practices to improve adult care delivery for young adults (YA) with diabetes.

Methods

The participants prepared presentations in advance, rotated through sessions, and contributed to group discussions in three areas: physical health, mental health, and quality of life (QoL). Session moderators and scribes used thematic analysis to summarize discussions for each topic.

Results

Thematic analysis revealed four foci for addressing physical health, mental health and QoL: 1) best practices to facilitate the process of transfer; 2) age-specific curricula and guidelines for prevention and management of comorbidities and complications; 3) collaboration with behavioral health clinicians to address diabetes distress and mental health disorders; and 4) research on the impact of diabetes on QoL in YA.

Conclusion

There was substantial interest and need among adult clinicians to work in concert with pediatric and mental health professionals to identify best practices and future directions to improve healthcare process and diabetes-related outcome measures in YA with diabetes.

Childhood obesity: A review of current and future management options

Obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent in paediatric populations worldwide. In addition to increasing prevalence, the severity of obesity is also continuing to rise. Taken together, these findings demonstrate a worrying trend and highlight one of the most significant challenges to public health. Childhood obesity affects multiple organs in the body and is associated with both significant morbidity and ultimately premature mortality. The prevalence of complications associated with obesity, including dyslipidaemia, hypertension, fatty liver disease and psychosocial complications are becoming increasingly prevalent within the paediatric populations. Treatment guidelines currently focus on intervention with lifestyle and behavioural modifications, with pharmacotherapy and surgery reserved for patients who are refractory to such treatment. Research into adult obesity has established pharmacological novel therapies, which have been approved and established in clinical practice; however, the research and implementation of such therapies in paediatric populations have been lagging behind. Despite the relative lack of widespread research in comparison to the adult population, newer therapies are being trialled, which should allow a greater availability of treatment options for childhood obesity in the future. This review summarizes the current evidence for the management of obesity in terms of medical and surgical options. Both future therapeutic agents and those which cause weight loss but have an alternative indication are also included and discussed as part of the review. The review summarizes the most recent research for each intervention and demonstrates the potential efficacy and limitations of each treatment option.

Cirugía bariátrica en pediatría, ¿qué impacto tiene? Revisión de la literatura

Introducción. La obesidad en la población pediátrica ha ido aumentando de manera progresiva y el manejo médico de la obesidad mórbida en esta población se ha mostrado insuficiente. El objetivo de este artículo fue describir el estado actual de la literatura científica publicada hasta abril 15 de 2021 sobre el impacto de la cirugía bariátrica en la población pediátrica. Métodos. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura que evaluó dos bases de datos, donde se incluyeron revisiones sistemáticas, reportes de casos, series de casos y ensayos clínicos, publicados desde el 1 de enero de 2010 hasta el 15 de abril de 2021, en español, inglés y francés. Resultados. Se incluyeron 56 documentos y 18 estudios clínicos, en los que se encontró que la cirugía bariátrica (bypass gástrico por Y de Roux, gastrectomía en manga, plicatura gástrica y banda gástrica) alcanzó una pérdida de peso significativa en el primer año, con un adecuado sostenimiento de dicha pérdida al quinto año, además de una resolución completa de las comorbilidades metabólicas y cardiovasculares en la mayoría de los pacientes. Conclusión. La cirugía bariátrica se presenta como una alternativa eficaz en el manejo de la obesidad mórbida y sus complicaciones en el paciente pediátrico

Anti-obesity pharmacotherapy for treatment of pediatric type 2 diabetes: Review of the literature and lessons learned from adults

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adolescents is a more rapidly progressive disease, associated with earlier and higher rates of microvascular complications than in adults. As obesity is a significant risk factor for T2DM development and progression, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends anti-obesity medications (AOMs) as adjuvant therapy for adults with both T2DM and overweight/obesity. In adults, the addition of AOMs to a diabetes regimen can improve glycemic control, reduce weight, and decrease anti-diabetes medication use. The ADA recommends considering bariatric surgery for adolescents with T2DM who have a BMI >35 kg/m², but did not mention the use of AOMs in their 2022 updated guidelines. Currently, there are three FDA-approved AOMs available for chronic use in adolescents with obesity. Other medications are used in an "off-label" fashion for appetite suppression and BMI reduction. As additional AOMs are being developed and FDA-approved for the pediatric population, new treatment options with novel mechanisms of action will become available for adolescents with T2DM and obesity. In this review, we will discuss the evidence for the use of AOMs in the treatment of T2DM in adolescents, including lessons learned from the adult T2DM literature.

14. Children and Adolescents: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2022

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-SPPC), are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-SINT). Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health in Pediatric Gastroenterology

Social determinants of health (SDH) as outlined by Healthy People 2020 encompasses 5 key domains: economic, education, social and community context, health and health care, and neighborhood and built environment. This article emphasizes pediatric populations and some of the existing SDH and health care disparities seen in pediatric gastroenterology. We specifically review inflammatory bowel disease, endoscopy, bariatric surgery, and liver transplantation. We also examine the burgeoning role of telehealth that has become commonplace since the coronavirus disease 2019 era.

30-Day morbidity and mortality of bariatric metabolic surgery in adolescence during the COVID-19 pandemic - The GENEVA study

BACKGROUND

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is an effective treatment for adolescents with severe obesity.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the safety of MBS in adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

METHODS

This was a global, multicentre and observational cohort study of MBS performed between May 01, 2020, and October 10,2020, in 68 centres from 24 countries. Data collection included in-hospital and 30-day COVID-19 and surgery-specific morbidity/mortality.

RESULTS

One hundred and seventy adolescent patients (mean age: 17.75 ± 1.30 years), mostly females (n = 122, 71.8%), underwent MBS during the study period. The mean pre-operative weight and body mass index were 122.16 ± 15.92 kg and 43.7 ± 7.11 kg/m² , respectively. Although majority of patients had pre-operative testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (n = 146; 85.9%), only 42.4% (n = 72) of the patients were asked to self-isolate pre-operatively. Two patients developed symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection post-operatively (1.2%). The overall complication rate was 5.3% (n = 9). There was no mortality in this cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

MBS in adolescents with obesity is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic when performed within the context of local precautionary procedures (such as pre-operative testing). The 30-day morbidity rates were similar to those reported pre-pandemic. These data will help facilitate the safe re-introduction of MBS services for this group of patients.

Longitudinal Outcomes in Adolescents After Referral for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) can be a well tolerated and effective treatment option for severe obesity in adolescents. We compared outcomes for adolescents that did and did not proceed to surgery.

METHODS

A single-center longitudinal study (2015-2020). Patients were identified as LSG if they completed laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy within 6 months of initial visit and NoLSG if they did not. Chi-square, Fisher exact, nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Linear Mixed Models (LMM) were used to compare outcomes over 2 years.

RESULTS

Three hundred fifty-two adolescents were referred with a mean age of 15.6 ± 1.4, 69% girls, 38% Hispanic, and 78% had noncommercial insurance. The median baseline weight was 135 kg and body mass index (BMI) was 48 kg/m2; 42% had a BMI >50. Seventy-nine (22%) underwent LSG whereas 273 (78%) did not complete MBS primarily because of lack of interest. LSG patients had 21% total weight loss and 22% total BMI loss at 24 months whereas NoLSG patients had 4% total weight gain and 3% BMI gain (P < 0.01). Obesity-associated conditions improved in the LSG group (P < 0.01). Follow-up in both groups was poor (≤30% at 24 months). Patients with public insurance and those with BMI from 50 to 59.9 kg/m2 were high performing LSG patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A minority (22%) of adolescents referred for MBS proceeded to surgery, despite its demonstrated efficacy and safety in adolescence. Those that did not undergo surgery continued to gain weight. Further research is needed to understand patient preferences or concerns related to MBS utilization during adolescence.

Referral and utilization of paediatric bariatric surgery in an academic freestanding children's hospital with dedicated paediatric bariatric programme

OBJECTIVE

This report estimates the percent of medically eligible adolescents who are referred for metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) evaluation or factors associated with referral.

METHODS

This cross-sectional retrospective review evaluated patients aged 13 to 18 years seen between 2017 and 2019 for demographics, insurance status, body mass index (BMI), obesity-related comorbidities, and compared these data to patients whom had been referred and received MBS.

RESULTS

Half of the patients (86 411/163137, 53%) between ages of 13 and 18 years identified had BMI documented, of which, 1974 (2.3%) were medically eligible for MBS, 238 (12%) were referred for MBS and 52 (22%) underwent MBS. Females had similar odds of being eligible for MBS [odds ratio (OR) = 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92-1.11, P = .9], but greater odds of referral (OR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.13-2.23, P = .009). Independently, miniorities and patients with public insurance had higher odds of being eligible for MBS, but similar odds of being referred as non-Hispanic white patients. Black patients with public insurance had greater odds of being referred for MBS (OR = 12.22, 95% CI 2.08-235.15, P = .022). Patients' multiple comorbidities had greater odds of being referred for MBS (OR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.29-3.68, P = .004).

CONCLUSIONS

Referral is barrier for patients medically eligible for MBS; however, this barrier is not uniformly faced by all patients.

Impact of COVID-19 on Children and Young Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review With Emphasis on the Potential of Intermittent Fasting as a Preventive Strategy

Background: The world is still struggling to control the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The level of uncertainty regarding the virus is still significantly high. The virus behaves differently in children and young adults. Most children and adolescents are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. They generally have a very good prognosis. However, it is not well-known whether children and young adults with type 2 diabetes are at risk of getting a severe infection of COVID-19. Many Muslim children with type 2 diabetes have been performing dawn to dusk fasting during the month of Ramadan, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of this on their health has not been well investigated. Previous studies in adults have suggested that intermittent fasting may be beneficial in different ways including reversal of type 2 diabetes and prevention of COVID-19 infection. Objective: The primary aim of this narrative review is to summarise the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and young adults with type 2 diabetes, and to identify the knowledge gaps in the literature. It also explores the potential of intermittent fasting in reversing the pathogenesis of diabetes and highlighting how this approach could prevent these patients from developing chronic complications. Methods: This narrative review has been produced by examining several databases, including Google Scholar, Research Gate, PubMed, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (EBSCO), and Web of Science. The most common search terms used were "COVID-19 AND Children", "SARS-CoV-2 AND/OR Children", "COVID-19 AND Diabetes" "COVID-19 Epidemiology", "COVID-19 AND Ramadan fasting", "COVID-19 and Intermittent fasting." All the resources used are either peer-reviewed articles/reports and/or official websites of various media, governmental and educational organisations. Results: Having reviewed the currently limited evidence, it has been found that the incidence of COVID-19 among children with type 2 diabetes seems to be not much different from children without diabetes. However, these patients are still vulnerable to any infection. Several studies have reported that prevention programmes such as intermittent fasting are effective to protect these groups of patients from developing any complications. Moreover, observing Ramadan fasting as a type of intermittent fasting could be beneficial for some children with established diabetes, prediabetes and people at risk. Conclusion: Children and young adults with type 2 diabetes are not at risk of severe COVID-19 infection as the case in adults with diabetes. More research is needed to identify the impact of COVID-19 and to investigate the efficacy and safety of intermittent fasting, including Ramadan fasting, among these age groups. Implementing these cost-effective programmes may have a great impact in minimising the incidence of diabetes. Moreover, this could be effective particularly at prediabetes stage by preventing these people from going onto develop type 2 diabetes and taking medications for the rest of their life and protecting people from complications linked to disease and infection.

Treatment of type 2 diabetes in children: what are the specific considerations?

Introduction: The number of individuals under 18 years of age with type 2 diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. These patients are often characterized by obesity and they often experience a more rapid disease progression than adults with type 2 diabetes. Thus, focus on prevention and management of complications and comorbidities is imperative. With emphasis on weight loss and optimal glycemic control, treatment includes lifestyle changes and pharmacotherapy, which in this patient group is limited to metformin, liraglutide and insulin. In selected cases, bariatric surgery is indicated.Areas covered: This perspective article provides an overview of the literature covering pathophysiology, diagnosis, characteristics and treatment of pediatric type 2 diabetes, and outlines the gaps in our knowledge where further research is needed. The paper draws on both mechanistic studies, large scale intervention trials, epidemiological studies and international consensus statements.Expert opinion: Type 2 diabetes in pediatric patients is an increasing health care problem, and the current treatment strategies do not successfully meet the many challenges and obstacles in this patient group. Treatments must be early, intensive, multifaceted and durable. Also, prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes in at-risk children should be addressed and prioritized on all levels.

Study protocol: a prospective controlled clinical trial to assess surgical or medical treatment for paediatric type 2 diabetes (ST2OMP)

INTRODUCTION

The pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in youth differs from adults and conventional medical treatment approaches with lifestyle change, metformin, thiazolidinediones or insulin are inadequate. Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) improves multiple health outcomes in adults with T2D. Initial small, uncontrolled studies of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass have also suggested beneficial effects in adolescents. Definitive studies in youth with T2D are lacking, especially with the now more common form of MBS, vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). The surgical or medical treatment for paediatric type 2 diabetes (ST₂OMP) clinical trial was designed to test the hypothesis that VSG will more effectively reduce hyperglycaemic and diabetes comorbidities than the best currently available medical treatment incorporating state of the art pharmacotherapies. ST₂OMP is also designed to better understand the pancreatic and enterohepatic mechanisms by which MBS improves diabetes and its associated comorbidities.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

ST₂OMP is a prospective, open-label, controlled clinical trial that will recruit 90 postpubertal participants, age range 13-19.9 years, with body mass index ≥35 kg/m² or >120% of 95th percentile and youth-onset T2D. The primary outcome is the per cent of youth achieving haemoglobin A1c <6.0% at 12 months postgroup allocation (post-VSG vs postmedical group allocation). Secondary outcomes include remission of comorbidities and measures of β-cell and incretin responses at 12 and 24 months post VSG versus AMT.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The ST₂OMP protocol was approved by the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Colorado Institutional Review Boards. Written informed consent is obtained prior to study enrolment. Study findings will be widely disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Clinical Trials.Gov NCT04128995.

The Effect of Antrum Size on Weight Loss, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Levels, and Glycemic Control Following Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adolescents with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of antral resection versus antral preservation sleeve gastrectomy on the post-operative GLP-1, glycemic control, and weight loss in adolescents suffering from severe obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 36 adolescents. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: group (A) and group (B). Each group included 18 patients who underwent LSG, starting transection at 2 cm or 5 cm from the pyloric ring in group (A) and group (B), respectively. They were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-operatively. The outcomes were the post-operative GLP-1 response, glycemic control, weight loss, and safety.

RESULTS

The improvements in the body mass index and the percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) were statistically significant within each group. The mean GLP-1 levels showed significant increase at the 1, 3, and 6 months but not in the 12 and 24 months in all the studied samples within each group. The mean HbA1c levels and post-prandial serum C-peptide significantly improved within each group (P < 0.05). No statistical differences in the weight loss, %EWL, GLP-1, HbA1c, C-peptide changes, and complication rates were observed between both groups. Diabetic remission was significantly higher (88.9%) in group (A).

CONCLUSIONS

LSG resulted in generalized significant GLP-1 initial response that decreased over time. The reduced antrum size did not influence the GLP-1 response, glycemic control, or insulin resistance, but resulted in significantly better T2D remission. Since the study examines a small number of patients, further studies are needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04388059.

Youth-onset type 2 diabetes: translating epidemiology into clinical trials

Globally, the proportion of new diagnoses of youth-onset diabetes represented by type 2 diabetes is increasing, and youth with type 2 diabetes commonly have complications and comorbidities, as well as a higher rate of mortality. In this review, we summarise what is known about the natural progression of youth-onset type 2 diabetes from published clinical trials and large-scale prospective epidemiological studies. It is important to note that the robust pathophysiological and treatment data specifically related to individuals with a diabetes onset at ≤20 years of age largely hails from the USA. Youth-onset type 2 diabetes is characterised by pathophysiological heterogeneity and inadequate glycaemic control, highlighting the need for new treatment approaches and innovative study designs in populations of varied genetic and cultural backgrounds.

Long-Term Complications in Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in youth is increasing, but little is known regarding the occurrence of related complications as these youths transition to adulthood.

METHODS

We previously conducted a multicenter clinical trial (from 2004 to 2011) to evaluate the effects of one of three treatments (metformin, metformin plus rosiglitazone, or metformin plus an intensive lifestyle intervention) on the time to loss of glycemic control in participants who had onset of type 2 diabetes in youth. After completion of the trial, participants were transitioned to metformin with or without insulin and were enrolled in an observational follow-up study (performed from 2011 to 2020), which was conducted in two phases; the results of this follow-up study are reported here. Assessments for diabetic kidney disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and nerve disease were performed annually, and assessments for retinal disease were performed twice. Complications related to diabetes identified outside the study were confirmed and adjudicated.

RESULTS

At the end of the second phase of the follow-up study (January 2020), the mean (±SD) age of the 500 participants who were included in the analyses was 26.4±2.8 years, and the mean time since the diagnosis of diabetes was 13.3±1.8 years. The cumulative incidence of hypertension was 67.5%, the incidence of dyslipidemia was 51.6%, the incidence of diabetic kidney disease was 54.8%, and the incidence of nerve disease was 32.4%. The prevalence of retinal disease, including more advanced stages, was 13.7% in the period from 2010 to 2011 and 51.0% in the period from 2017 to 2018. At least one complication occurred in 60.1% of the participants, and at least two complications occurred in 28.4%. Risk factors for the development of complications included minority race or ethnic group, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. No adverse events were recorded during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Among participants who had onset of type 2 diabetes in youth, the risk of complications, including microvascular complications, increased steadily over time and affected most participants by the time of young adulthood. Complications were more common among participants of minority race and ethnic group and among those with hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. (Funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and others; ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT01364350 and NCT02310724.).

Durability of Cardiometabolic Outcomes Among Adolescents After Sleeve Gastrectomy: First Study with 9-Year Follow-up

BACKGROUND

Long-term durability of weight loss and comorbidity resolution beyond 7 years after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) among adolescents is completely lacking.

METHODS

Retrospective review of adolescents aged ≤ 18 years who underwent primary LSG at our institution between 2011 and 2015 (N = 146). We assessed anthropometric and cardiometabolic outcomes at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 years.

RESULTS

Follow-up rates were 57.53%, 82.87%, 85.24%, 83.92%, and 83.33% at the five time points. The preoperative mean body mass index (BMI) (45.60 ± 6.50 kg/m2) decreased at year 1 (30.04 ± 4.96 kg/m2, P=0.001) and was maintained up to 9 years (30.20 ± 3.92 kg/m2, P = 0.001). Remission rates were triglycerides, 100% (11/11) at 5 years, and 100% (1/1) at 9 years; high density lipoprotein, 89.4% (17/19) at 5 years, and 100% (3/3) at 7 years; low density lipoprotein, 71.4% (11/14) and 100% (3/3) at 5 and 7 years; total cholesterol, 70% (7/10) at 5 years, and 100% (2/2) at 9 years; uric acid, 100% (3/3) at 5 years. Remission of liver enzymes was 84.6-100% (22/26-2/2) at 5-9 years. Prediabetes remission was 87.5% (14/16 and 7/8) at 5 and 7 years and 100% (3/3) at year 9. Type 2 diabetes complete remission was 50% (3/6, 1/2) at years 5 and 7, with all cases resolved at 9 years. The only case of hypertension completely resolved.

CONCLUSIONS

LSG achieved substantial weight loss and remission of cardiometabolic risk factors that were sustained on the long term. This is the first study among adolescents to assess such outcomes beyond 7 years.