BackgroundExcessive weight gain and elevated blood pressure are significant risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes such as gestational diabetes, premature birth, and preeclampsia. More effective strategies to facilitate adherence to gestational weight gain goals and monitor blood pressure may have a positive health benefit for pregnant women and their babies. The impact of utilizing a remote patient monitoring system to monitor blood pressure and weight gain as a component of prenatal care has not been previously assessed.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of monitoring patients remotely in prenatal care using a mobile phone app and connected digital devices.MethodsIn this prospective observational study, 8 women with low risk pregnancy in the first trimester were recruited at an urban academic medical center. Participants received a mobile phone app with a connected digital weight scale and blood pressure cuff for at-home data collection for the duration of pregnancy. At-home data was assessed for abnormal values of blood pressure or weight to generate clinical alerts to the patient and provider. As measures of the feasibility of the system, participants were studied for engagement with the app, accuracy of remote data, efficacy of alert system, and patient satisfaction.ResultsPatient engagement with the mobile app averaged 5.5 times per week over the 6-month study period. Weight data collection and blood pressure data collection averaged 1.5 times and 1.1 times per week, respectively. At-home measurements of weight and blood pressure were highly accurate compared to in-office measurements. Automatic clinical alerts identified two episodes of abnormal weight gain with no false triggers. Patients demonstrated high satisfaction with the system.ConclusionsIn this pilot study, we demonstrated that a system using a mobile phone app coupled to remote monitoring devices is feasible for prenatal care.

Structured Abstract Objective To compare bariatric surgery vs. intensive medical weight management (MWM) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) who do not meet current NIH criteria for bariatric surgery. To assess whether the soluble form of receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) is a biomarker to identify patients most likely to benefit from surgery. Summary Background Data There are few studies comparing surgery to MWM for patients with T2DM and BMI < 35. Methods 57 patients with T2DM and BMI 30–35 who otherwise met criteria for bariatric surgery were randomized to MWM vs. surgery (bypass, sleeve or band, based on patient preference). The primary outcomes assessed at 6 months were change in insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and diabetes remission. Secondary outcomes included changes in HbA1c, weight, and sRAGE. Results The surgery group had improved HOMA-IR (−4.6 vs. +1.6; p=0.0004) and higher diabetes remission (65% vs. 0%, p<0.0001) than the MWM group at 6 months. Compared to MWM, the surgery group had lower HbA1c (6.2 vs. 7.8, p=0.002), lower fasting glucose (99.5 vs. 157; p=0.0068) and fewer T2DM medication requirements (20% vs. 88%; p<0.0001) at 6 months. The surgery group lost more weight (7.0 BMI decrease vs. 1.0 BMI decrease, p<0.0001). Higher baseline sRAGE was associated with better weight loss outcomes (r=−0.641; p=0.046). There were no mortalities. Conclusions Surgery was very effective short-term in patients with T2DM and BMI 30–35. Baseline sRAGE may predict patients most likely to benefit from surgery. These findings need to be confirmed with larger studies. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01423877

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Background Genetic factors likely play a role in obesity and the outcomes after bariatric surgery. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in or near the insulin-induced gene 2 (INSIG-2), fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO), melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MC4R), and proprotein convertase subtilisn/kexin type 1 gene (PCSK-1) have been associated with class III obesity in whites. Minimal data are available regarding the genetic susceptibility to obesity in class III obese nonwhites, especially Hispanics. Our objective was to perform a comparative analysis of 4 common genetic variants (INSIG-2, FTO, MC4R, and PCSK-1) associated with obesity in a diverse population of bariatric surgery patients to determine whether a difference exists by ethnicity (white versus Hispanic). The setting of the study was 2 university hospitals in the United States. Methods Bariatric surgery patients from 2 different institutions were enrolled prospectively, and genotyping was performed. Differences in the distribution of INSIG-2, FTO, MC4R, and PCSK-1 single nucleotide polymorphisms among the different ethnicities (whites and Hispanics) were compared using an additive model (0, 1, or 2 risk alleles). A propensity-matched analysis was used to account for cohort differences. Results A total of 1276 bariatric patients were genotyped for the INSIG-2, FTO, MC4R, and PCSK-1 obesity single nucleotide polymorphisms. Statistically significant differences in FTO, INSIG-2, MC4R, and PCSK-1 were seen using an additive model. FTO, PCSK-1, and MC4R (test for trend) remained significantly different in the propensity analysis. Conclusion Significant differences in the frequencies of several common obesity susceptibility variants in or near FTO, PCSK-1, and MC4R were found in white and Hispanic patients with class III obesity undergoing bariatric surgery. Larger studies in more class III obese Hispanics of different nationalities are needed.