Lean mass and strength profile of women submitted to bariatric surgery: comparison of the EWGSOP2 and FNIH classification for sarcopenia - ASBS program phase II.

Aim: To assess the effect of bariatric surgery on the lean mass of women after one year of the procedure, comparing its outcomes upon the classification from both the Foundation of the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) and the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in the Elderly People (EWGSOP). Material and methods: Twenty-eight obese women aged 40.5 ± 9.8 yrs who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) were included. 27 of them were reassessed after 6 months of surgery, and 16 completed the one-year follow-up. Pre-sarcopenia condition was assessed through a handgrip strength test and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Total body mass, body mass index, and lean mass (LM) were collected prior to, 6 and 12 months after RYGB surgery. Results: All subjects reassessed after 12 months were diagnosed with pre-sarcopenia according to the FNIH classification criteria, while according to the EWGSOP2 Consensus they presented normal values. LM represented 14% of the influence on handgrip strength (p = .049) after 6 months of surgery; however, its influence on strength after 12 months increased to 30% (p = .028). Conclusion: The FNIH classification is the most effective criteria since it uses LM content as the first test, considering that strength capacity needs more time to be affected by the surgical procedure. On the other hand, the EWGSOP2 classification should not be applied to determine the loss of LM in younger populations regardless of what may have caused such changes.

Relationship between postural changes, osteoarthritis and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between postural changes, osteoarthritis (OA) and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 127 Brazilian women, aged 45 years or older, were included in this retrospective study. Subjects were divided in two groups: study group with postural changes (SG) and control group without postural changes (CG). Possible postural changes considered were scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis. All women underwent BMD assessment and OA was identified at the region of the hip and lumbar spine by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) analysis. RESULTS: SG was older (66.0 ± 7.3 years) than the CG (61.0 ± 8.6 years). In the entire sample we found thirteen women with OA and low BMD. Overall, the lumbar spine area was more affected by OA than the hip. The value of BMD T-score accounted for up to 77% of the changes observed in the SG group. CONCLUSION: Postural changes identified in women are directly related to aging and associated with bone loss and joint degeneration. Postural changes may be the primary sign of frailty as a result of body adaptation to pain related to musculoskeletal diseases.

Bilateral Peritonsillar Abscess in an Infant: An Unusual Presentation of Sore Throat.

INTRODUCTION: Peritonsillar abscess is considered a suppurative complication of acute tonsillitis. It is usually unilateral and clinically evident bilateral presentation is uncommon. The condition affects mainly children older than 10 years and young adults. Herein we present a rare case of bilateral peritonsillar abscess in an infant. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 1-year-old boy presented with a two-day history of worsening sore throat, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever. Examination of the oral cavity and oropharynx revealed enlarged and inflamed tonsils and a bilaterally congested and bulging soft palate. CT scan confirmed the hypothesis of bilateral peritonsillar abscess. Antibiotic therapy was instituted and after 5 days only slight regression of swelling of the soft palate was observed. He underwent a surgical procedure for draining the abscesses. After the procedure, he presented good clinical and laboratory evolution and was discharged home. DISCUSSION: Although peritonsillar abscesses are considered common complications of acute tonsillitis bilateral cases are extremely rare, especially in early childhood. The diagnosis is based on history and physical examination and the treatment remains controversial among otolaryngologists. CONCLUSION: Bilateral peritonsillar abscess should be diagnosed and treated promptly and adequately to prevent respiratory obstruction and to avoid dissemination into the deep neck spaces.