Evaluation of plasma leptin levels & BMI as predictor of postpartum weight retention.

Background & objectives: Plasma leptin level during pregnancy has been reported as a biochemical predictor of postpartum weight retention. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between pregnancy-related factors including plasma leptin and postpartum weight retention in Korean women. Methods: A convenience sampling method was used among women attending a high-risk pregnancy clinic in Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, between March 2002 and February 2003. We investigated 75 women during pregnancy and 6 months postpartum. Plasma leptin levels were measured using an ELISA. The weight gain during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention, and the correlation between the plasma leptin levels and body weight were evaluated. Results: The plasma leptin levels at the 1st trimester and body weight at 24 wk of gestation, 6 wk, and 6 months postpartum differed significantly between the underweight and overweight groups and between the normal and overweight groups. Plasma leptin levels during the first trimester correlated with the initial BMI at first visit and term, and body weight at term, while the initial BMI significantly correlated with the body weight at term, 6 months postpartum, and 6 months postpartum. Interpretation & conclusions: Our findings suggest that the plasma leptin level in the first trimester is a predictor of maternal weight at term, while initial BMI is a better predictor of maternal weight at 6 wk and 6 months postpartum. Further, postpartum weight retention was more dependent on first pre-natal visit factors rather than weight changes during pregnancy. Anthropometric measures at first pre-natal visit to prevent postpartum obesity can be recommended.

Evaluation of plasma leptin levels & BMI as predictor of postpartum weight retention.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Plasma leptin level during pregnancy has been reported as a biochemical predictor of postpartum weight retention. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between pregnancy-related factors including plasma leptin and postpartum weight retention in Korean women. METHODS: A convenience sampling method was used among women attending a high-risk pregnancy clinic in Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, between March 2002 and February 2003. We investigated 75 women during pregnancy and 6 months postpartum. Plasma leptin levels were measured using an ELISA. The weight gain during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention, and the correlation between the plasma leptin levels and body weight were evaluated. RESULTS: The plasma leptin levels at the 1(st) trimester and body weight at 24 wk of gestation, 6 wk, and 6 months postpartum differed significantly between the underweight and overweight groups and between the normal and overweight groups. Plasma leptin levels during the first trimester correlated with the initial BMI at first visit and term, and body weight at term, while the initial BMI significantly correlated with the body weight at term, 6 months postpartum, and 6 months postpartum. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the plasma leptin level in the first trimester is a predictor of maternal weight at term, while initial BMI is a better predictor of maternal weight at 6 wk and 6 months postpartum. Further, postpartum weight retention was more dependent on first pre-natal visit factors rather than weight changes during pregnancy. Anthropometric measures at first pre-natal visit to prevent postpartum obesity can be recommended.

The Change of Serum and Synovial IGF-I Level in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the serum and synovial IGF-I levels in 30 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and the relationships among the IGF-I level, pain intensity and severity of knee OA. METHOD: Thirty patients who met criteria of knee OA of American Rheumatology Association participated in this study. Samples of serum and synovial fluid were obtained from all patients. The levels of IGF-I were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The intensity of pain was assessed by Pain Rating Score (PRS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The severity of knee OA was evaluated by Kellgren's grade of knee OA. RESULTS: The mean serum and synovial IGF-I level was 231.66+/-86.15 ng/ml and 122.42+/-37.79 ng/ml, respectively. There was no correlation between pain intensity and IGF-I levels. Neither was there statistically significant correlation between Kellgren's grade and IGF-I levels. CONCLUSION: The serum and synovial IGF-I levels were not related with pain intensity and severity of knee OA.