Changes in Waist Circumference and Abdominal Obesity among Chinese Adults over a Ten-year Period

Objective The aim of this study was to describe changes in waist circumference（WC） and prevalence of abdominal obesity over a period of 10 years among Chinese adults in different socio-economic status（SES）. Methods Data derived from the China Nutrition and Health Surveillance during 2002 and 2010-2012. We calculated the mean WC and the prevalence of abdominal obesity by gender, place of residence, SES indicators（education, income, and marital status）, and body mass index（BMI） categoriesand used pooled t-tests to assess the differences between the two time periods. Results 26.0% of men and 25.3% of women had abdominal obesity in 2010-2012. The age-adjusted mean WC increased by 2.7 cm among men and 2.1 cm among women; the age-adjusted prevalence of abdominal obesity increased by 7.7% among men and 5.3% among women. The rising trends were observed in all subgroups except for a negative growth in high-income women. People living in rural areas with low education and income and with a BMI of 18.5 to 23.9 kg/m^2 had a greater absolute and relative increase in WC. People living in rural areas with low income had a greater relative increase in abdominal obesity. Conclusion The mean WC and prevalence of abdominal obesity among Chinese adults have increased during the past 10 years. Gender differences were noted using various SES indicators.

Effects of intragastric balloon placement in metabolic dysfunctionassociated fatty liver disease: A systematic review and metaanalysis

BACKGROUND Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease corresponds to a clinical entity that affects liver function triggered by the accumulation of fat in the liver and is linked with metabolic dysregulation.AIM To evaluate the effects of the intragastric balloon(IGB)in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease through the assessment of liver enzymes,imaging and several metabolic markers.METHODS A comprehensive search was done of multiple electronic databases(MEDLINE,EMBASE,LILACS,Cochrane and Google Scholar)and grey literature from their inception until February 2021.Inclusion criteria involved patients with a body mass index>25 kg/m2 with evidence or previous diagnosis of hepatic steatosis.Outcomes analyzed before and after 6 mo of IGB removal were alanine aminotransferase(IU/L),gamma-glutamyltransferase(IU/L),glycated hemoglobin(%),triglycerides(mg/dL),systolic blood pressure(mmHg),homeostatic model assessment,abdominal circumference(cm),body mass index(kg/m2)and liver volume(cm3).RESULTS Ten retrospective cohort studies evaluating a total of 508 patients were included.After 6 mo of IGB placement,this significantly reduced alanine aminotransferase[mean difference(MD):10.2,95%confidence interval(CI):8.12-12.3],gammaglutamyltransferase(MD:9.41,95%CI:6.94-11.88),glycated hemoglobin(MD:0.17%,95%CI:0.03-0.31),triglycerides(MD:38.58,95%CI:26.65-50.51),systolic pressure(MD:7.27,95%CI:4.79-9.76),homeostatic model assessment(MD:2.23%,95%CI:1.41-3.04),abdominal circumference(MD:12.12,95%CI:9.82-14.41)and body mass index(MD:5.07,95%CI:4.21-5.94).CONCLUSION IGB placement showed significant efficacy in improving alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated fatty liver disease as well as improving metabolic markers related to disease progression.

The liver-to-spleen ratio is a risk factor predicting oxygen demand in COVID-19 patients

Background:We aimed to investigate risk factors predicting oxygen demand in COVID-19 patients.Methods:Patients admitted to Shizuoka General Hospital with COVID-19 from August 2020 to August 2021 were included.First,we divided patients into groups with and without oxygen demand.Then,we compared patients’clinical characteristics and laboratory and radiological findings to determine factors predicting oxygen demand.Results:One hundred seventy patients with COVID-19(aged 58±15 years,57 females)were enrolled.Common comorbidities were cardiovascular diseases(47.6%),diabetes mellitus(28.8%),and dyslipidemia(26.5%).Elder age,higher body mass index,cardiovascular diseases,diabetes mellitus,lower lymphocyte count,albumin,hep-atic attenuation value,and the liver-to-spleen ratio(L/S),higher D-dimer,aspartate aminotransferase,lactate dehydrogenase,troponin-T,C-reactive protein,KL-6,chest and abdominal circumference,and visceral fat were found in patients with oxygen demand.According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis,L/S,lympho-cyte count,D-dimer,and abdominal circumference under the diaphragm were independent risk factors predicting oxygen demand in COVID-19 patients.Conclusions:On admission,L/S,lymphocyte count,D-dimer,and abdominal circumference were predictive factors for oxygen demand.These factors may help in the appropriate triage of COVID-19 patients in the decision to admit them to the hospital.