The use of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) is associated with metabolic side effects including weight gain, diabetes mellitus and an atherogenic lipid profile. These adverse effects are not only the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus leading to increased morbidity and mortality but may also impair the patient's adherence to treatment. SGAs in particular are associated with significant weight gain with clozapine and olanzapine carrying the highest risk, whereas newer agents, such as risperidone and aripiprazole, are considered to be less prone to cause weight gain. Consequently, a consensus development conference convened issuing recommendations on patient monitoring when treated with SGAs. The metabolic effects of antipsychotic drugs should be of concern when planning a patient's treatment strategy. Baseline screening and regular follow-up monitoring whose intervals should depend on the individual predisposition are advised. Possible therapeutical strategies for the management of drug-induced obesity include therapeutic approaches, such as life style change and pharmaceutical intervention. Drugs with a weight reducing effect become more important because of the lack of compliance with behavioural intervention. Topiramate, histamine-antagonists, dopaminergic- and serotoninergic agents have shown positive results in the management of psychotropic medication induced weight gain. However, further trials are required to support a specific therapeutical approach as well as studies to investigate the underlying mechanisms for future drug development.

BACKGROUND: Human adipose tissue expresses and releases proinflammatory cytokines and these measures of chronic inflammation have recently been associated with obesity. HYPOTHESIS: To test whether the proinflammatory state is reversible in subjects undergoing weight loss by surgical measures. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty morbidly obese women participated in this prospective study. Subjects were examined for fat mass, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) before and 1 y after Swedish adjustable gastric banding. RESULTS: Anthropometric measures displayed a significant reduction of the body mass index (BMI) from 41.6 AE 5.4 to 30.8 AE 6.1 kg=m 2 and the fat mass from 53.9 AE 10.3 to 29.8 AE 12.1 kg (mean AE s.d.). Hs-CRP levels decreased significantly from 1.33 AE 1.21 mg=dl in pre-gastric banding subjects to 0.40 AE 0.61 mg=dl in post-gastric banding subjects, respectively. IL-6 and TNF-a levels did not differ significantly between pre-and post-gastric banding subjects. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that in these patients the marked reduction in C-reactive protein might be beneficial in reducing their cardiovascular risk and is not solely mediated by IL-6 and TNF-a.

To investigate temporal trends and contemporary use of insulin pump therapy and glucose monitoring in type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In a population-based study, we analyzed the use of insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) from 1995 to 2017 in patients with type 1 diabetes identified from the Diabetes Prospective Follow-up (DPV) database in Germany and Austria. Patients were stratified by age, sex, migration background, and country. RESULTS Among 96,547 patients with type 1 diabetes (median age 17.9 years, 53% males), the percentage using insulin pump therapy increased from 1% in 1995 to 53% in 2017, with the highest rates in the youngest patients (92% in preschoolers, 74% in children, 56% in adolescents aged <15 years, 46% in adolescents aged ‡15 years, 37% in adults). The percentage of patients using CGM increased from 3% in 2006 to 38% in 2017, with the highest rates in the youngest patients (58%, 52%, 45%, 33%, and 15% of respective age-groups). Daily SMBG frequencies increased from 1995 to 2016 and decreased afterward, most prominently in the youngest patients. Between 2015 and 2017, pump therapy was more frequently used in female versus male adolescents and adults (all P < 0.001), while no sex differences were observed for pump use in children <10 years (all P 5 1.0) and for CGM use in all age-groups (all P 5 1.0). CONCLUSIONS Since 1995, insulin pump use has continuously increased, and insulin pump therapy is now standard in patients aged <15 years. CGM use sharply rose in recent years, particularly in young children.

Introduction The COVID‐19 pandemic has forced rapid reconsideration as to the way in which health care is delivered. One potential means to provide care while avoiding unnecessary person‐to‐person contact is to offer remote services (telemedicine). This study aimed to (1) gather real‐time information on the use and perception of telemedicine in people living with type 1 diabetes and (2) assess the challenges, such as restricted access to health care and/or medical supplies. Methods An anonymous questionnaire was widely distributed between 24 March and 5 May 2020 using an open‐access web‐based platform. Data were analysed descriptively, and results were stratified according to age, sex and HbA1c. Results There were 7477 survey responses from individuals in 89 countries. Globally, 30% reported that the pandemic had affected their healthcare access due to cancelled physical appointments with their healthcare providers. Thirty‐two per cent reported no fundamental change in their medical follow‐up during this period, with 9% stating that no personal contact was established with their doctors over the duration of the study. Twenty‐eight per cent received remote care through telephone (72%) or video‐calls (28%). Of these, 86% found remote appointments useful and 75% plan to have remote appointments in the future. Glucose control, indicated by HbA1c, was positively associated with positive perception of telemedicine. In males, 45% of respondents with an HbA1c > 9% rated telemedicine not useful compared to those with lower HbA1c, while 20% of females with an HbA1c > 9% rated it not useful (χ2 = 14.2, P = .0016). Conclusion Remote appointments have largely been perceived as positive in people with type 1 diabetes with the majority (75%) stating that they would consider remote appointments beyond the pandemic. Age and level of education do not appear to influence perception of telemedicine, whereas poor glucose control, particularly in males, seems to negatively affect perception.