The “Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Obesity (2024 Edition)” was formulated by the National Health Commission in cooperation with multidisciplinary experts nationwide, and was formally released on October 17, 2024. As China’s first authoritative guideline for obesity, it comprehensively covers the etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, classification, staging, and related diseases of obesity. The guideline emphasizes the high risk of obesity-related diseases, and for the first time puts forward a standardized diagnosis and treatment pathway, sorting out various treatment options including lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy, metabolic/bariatric procedures, and traditional Chinese medicine treatments. At the same time, the guideline advocates the multi-disciplinary treatment model, which integrates expertise and methodologies from various disciplines to develop personalized treatments for patients. We interpreted and discussed the diagnostic assessment and multimodal management of obesity, so as to enhance readers’ understanding of the guideline and promote the standardization of evidence-based practices in obesity care.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of early enteral nutrition containing ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids combined with intravenous infusion of alanyl-glutamine on inflammatory response and immune function of postoperative gastric cancer patients.MethodsA total of 110 patients, accepting radical operation for gastric cancer in West China Hospital of Sichuan University during October 2017 to December 2018, were prospectively incorporated in the study and were randomly divided into 2 groups equally. Patients in the control group were enterally fed with a formula containing ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for 6 consecutive days after surgery. Patients in the experimental group accepted the same enteral feeding but combined with intravenous infusion of alanyl-glutamine (20 g/d). Both enteral feeding and intravenous infusion started within 24 hours after surgery. Peripheral venous blood was gathered within 3 days before surgery and on the morning of the first, third, and seventh postoperative days to detect inflammatory, immunological, and nutritional indexes. Complications, length of hospital stay, and hospital cost were also taken notes.ResultsFifty-two patients in the control group and fifty-two patients in the experimental group respectively finished the study. In both groups, 3 patients withdrew from the study for inadequacy of radical operation. Neutrophilic granulocyte percentage, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on the third postoperative day, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), IL-6, and TNF-α on the seventh postoperative day, were significantly lower in the experimental group (P<0.05). Immunological indexes including immunoglobulin G (IGG), immunoglobulin A (IGA), percentage of CD3+ T cells, and percentage of CD4+ T cells, nutritional markers including total protein (TP), plasma albumin (ALB), and prealbumin (PAB) were significantly higher in the experimental group on the seventh postoperative day (P<0.05). When the study ended, none significant differences of the rates of both infectious complications (wound infection, intra-abdominal infection, pulmonary infection, urinary system infection, blood system infection, and anastomotic fistula) and noninfectious complications (diarrhea, abdominal distension, and abdominal pain) were observed between the two groups (P>0.05). Time of the first anal discharge, length of hospital stay, and hospitalization cost between the two groups were not significantly different neither (P>0.05).ConclusionEarly enteral nutrition containing ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids combined with intravenous infusion of alanyl-glutamine contributes to reduce inflammatory response and improve immune function and nutrition status of patients with gastric cancer after surgery.
Objective To compare the postoperative outcomes of elderly and non-elderly patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair in same-day surgery mode, and explore the utility and safety of same-day surgery mode in inguinal hernia repair. Methods Patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair in Day Surgery Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January 1st 2021 and October 31st 2021 were prospectively included. The patients were divided into elderly group (≥60 years old) and non-elderly group (18-59 years old). The preoperative conditions, postoperative outcomes, discharge readiness and social support of the two groups were analyzed. Results A total of 451 patients were enrolled, including 111 elderly patients and 340 non-elderly patients. The male proportion, prevalence rates of preoperative comorbidities, and bilateral inguinal hernia proportion in the elderly group were significantly higher than those in the non-elderly group (P<0.05), and the body mass index in the elderly group were significantly lower than that in the non-elderly group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in anesthesia method, analgesic method, bleeding volume, or surgery time between the two groups (P>0.05). The postoperative pain score of the non-elderly group was higher than that in the elderly group (Z=–2.226, P=0.026), but there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of postoperative unplanned analgesia, rate of discharge delay, pain score on the third day after discharge, re-consultation within one month after discharge, complications within one month after discharge, or post-discharge satisfaction (P>0.05). The total score of social support was higher in the elderly group than that in the non-elderly group (31.77±3.04 vs. 29.75±4.78; t=4.182, P<0.001). Conclusion The same-day surgery mode for inguinal hernia repair is feasible and safe in elderly patients and worthy of implementation.
Both bariatric surgery and pharmacotherapy, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), are effective interventions for obesity, yet each has its own advantages and limitations. Drawing on the “bridging” concept from cancer therapy, this commentary explores an innovative obesity management strategy that involves the combined application of GLP-1RA and bariatric surgery during the perioperative period, with the aim of optimizing treatment outcomes. The present analysis focuses specifically on the potential value of this approach: preoperatively, GLP-1RAs serve as a “bridging therapy” to promote weight loss and reduce surgical risks in severely obese patients; postoperatively, they might be used to manage weight rebound or insufficient weight loss. This multimodal integrated strategy is designed to overcome the inherent limitations of single therapies and offer patients more comprehensive treatment options. Emphasizing that future research must urgently focus on optimizing treatment parameters (e.g., timing, dosage), evaluating long-term safety and efficacy, and establishing patient selection criteria for combination therapy. Integrating surgical and pharmacological treatments, this comprehensive strategy based on the oncological “bridging” concept represents a highly promising paradigm shift in obesity management.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the effects of weight-loss interventions on hormone levels and sexual function in patients with obesity. MethodsThis review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and other databases was performed for studies published within the past decade that investigated the effects of bariatric surgery, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, and lifestyle interventions on sex hormones and sexual function. ResultsBariatric surgery (e.g., sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass) demonstrated the most pronounced improvements in hormonal balance and sexual function. In males, total testosterone levels doubled postoperatively, with marked increase in erectile function score. In females with polycystic ovary syndrome, androgen levels were reduced by 50%, with significant amelioration in the female sexual function index. GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., semaglutide, liraglutide) partially improved sperm quality and testosterone levels, but were also associated with a higher risk of erectile dysfunction (with a hazard ratio of approximately 4.5). Lifestyle interventions (e.g., low-calorie diet, exercise) could increase sex hormone-binding globulin levels and improve sexual function score, although their efficacy remained inferior to that of surgery. ConclusionsWeight-loss interventions can alleviate hormonal imbalances and sexual dysfunction in obesity, with bariatric surgery demonstrating the most significant effects. Pharmacological and lifestyle interventions have shown variable efficacy. Future research should further investigate mechanisms underlying effects of different weight-loss modalities on sexual health.
Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease driven by multiple factors such as genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, and neuroendocrine system disorders. In recent years, the prevalence of obesity in China has been increasing year by year, and a series of obesity-induced diseases are a serious threat to public health. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, as a representative of the new weight loss drugs, have shown a therapeutic effect close to that of weight-loss metabolic surgery in clinical trials by targeting central appetite and metabolism and other synergistic effects, but they still face key problems such as significant differences in individual efficacy, limited evidence of the safety of long-term treatment, and regaining body weight after discontinuation of the drug. The mechanism of action and clinical evidence of several obesity drugs approved and listed in China are summarized, and the progress and challenges of obesity drug therapy in China in combination with recent advances in the development of multi-target agents internationally are discussed, with a view to providing a scientific basis for the clinical drug management of obesity and providing ideas for the research and development of obesity drugs in China as well as for the clinical transformation.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SILS+1) for patients with obesity. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on obese patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) from January 2023 to November 2024 at West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Patients were stratified into two groups: SILS+1 group and conventional multi-port LSG (MPLSG) group. Comparative parameters included operative time, postoperative hospital stay, complications rate, weight loss outcomes, and improvement in metabolic indicators [including hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)]. ResultsA total of 95 patients with obesity were enrolled, including 40 in the SILS+1 group and 55 in the MPLSG group. The SILS+1 group had significantly lower preoperative body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, and TC level compared to the MPLSG group (P<0.05), and a significantly higher proportion of female patients (P<0.05). Other baseline characteristics, such as age, TG and HDL-C levels, showed no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). Operative time was significantly longer in the SILS+1 group than in the MPLSG group [(100.16±17.53) min vs. (93.82±20.83) min, P<0.001]. The proportion of patients requiring drainage tube placement was significantly lower in the SILS+1 group as compared with the MPLSG group [55.0% (22/40) vs. 76.4% (42/55), P=0.049]. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the need for additional trocar sites, change in hemoglobin level from preoperative to postoperative day 1, postoperative hospital stay, or incidence of postoperative (Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅰ) complications (P>0.05). No 30-day readmissions occurred in either group. One patient in the SILS+1 group required an additional trocar site. Gastrointestinal patency was normal in all patients, with no signs of contrast agent leakage or stricture observed. Both SILS+1 and MPLSG procedures demonstrated equivalent efficacy in weight loss outcomes (P>0.05) and in their effects on HbA1c, TG, and TC levels (P>0.05). The SILS+1 procedure showed a significant advantage in improving HDL-C level (F=6.221, P=0.015), with significantly higher postoperative HDL-C level observed at 6 months postoperatively compared to the MPLSG group (F=2.500, P=0.027). ConclusionsFor selected obese populations, SILS+1 represents a feasible and safe alternative to MPLSG. This technique demonstrates equivalent efficacy to MPLSG in early-stage weight loss and metabolic improvement, serving as a transitional approach toward pure single-incision LSG.