Weight Loss Outcomes in a Veterans Affairs Pharmacotherapy-based Weight Management Clinic.

Context: Despite a high prevalence of obesity in the veteran population, antiobesity medications (AOMs) have been underused in the Veterans Health Administration. Real-world reports on outcomes when AOMs have been used in veterans is limited. Objective: To analyze weight loss outcomes from a local Veterans Health Administration pharmacotherapy-based weight management clinic (WMC). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of veterans enrolled in a local WMC for 15 months from August 2016 through September 2018 and followed through November 2019. Patients were offered 1 of 5 available AOMs based on their comorbidities. Factors associated with weight loss (5% or more weight loss) were assessed. Key results: A total of 159 patients were seen in a WMC, 149 (93.7%) veterans were prescribed an AOM, and 129 returned for follow-up. Overall, 61/129 (47%) patients achieved 5% or greater weight loss and 28/129 (22%) achieved 10% or greater weight loss within 15 months. Clinically significant weight loss (%) over the first 15 months was achieved with phentermine/topiramate ER (-6.3%) and liraglutide (-7.5%), but not with orlistat (-3.9%) and lorcaserin (-3.6%). Comorbid obstructive sleep apnea was negatively associated with achieving ≥5% weight loss. Conclusion: Phentermine/topiramate ER and liraglutide were found to be effective AOMs among veterans. Further work is needed to mitigate barriers to AOM initiation given the continued rise in obesity.

Endocrinopathies with use of cancer immunotherapies.

BACKGROUND: Immunomodulatory therapies, including CTLA-4 and PD-1 inhibitors, provide a directed attack against cancer cells by preventing T cell deactivation. However, these drugs also prevent the downregulation of auto-reactive T cells, resulting in immune-related adverse events (IRAEs). Reports show a varied incidence of endocrine IRAEs, ranging from 0% to 63%. OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency and clinical characteristics of endocrine IRAEs in patients taking cancer immunomodulatory therapies. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PATIENTS: A total of 388 patients aged ≥18 years who were prescribed ipilimumab, nivolumab and/or pembrolizumab between 2009 and 2016 at our institution. MEASUREMENTS: Biochemical criteria were used to define endocrine IRAEs, including thyroid, pituitary, pancreas and adrenal dysfunction, following use of immunomodulatory therapies. RESULTS: Fifty endocrine IRAEs occurred in our cohort, corresponding to a rate of 12.9%. The most common endocrine IRAEs were thyroid dysfunction (11.1%), with a lower incidence of pituitary dysfunction (1.8% of patients). CONCLUSIONS: Over 12% of patients receiving ipilimumab, nivolumab and/or pembrolizumab in our study sample developed an endocrine IRAE. Patients who undergo treatment with immunomodulatory therapies should be monitored for the development of endocrine IRAEs.

Clinical characteristics and response to therapy of autoimmune hepatitis in an urban Latino population.

AIM: We hypothesized that AIH outcomes might be different in our patient population that consists of a large number of Latinos. BACKGROUND: Literature has suggested that the presentation and outcome of autoimmune hepatitis can be different among different ethnicity and communities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of Latino patients with AIH diagnosed between 2002-2012. Complete and partial remissions were defined as normalization of liver enzyme values, or achieving less than twice the upper limit normal (ULN), respectively. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were identified. 26 (93%) were female. 13 (46%) had an acute presentation, one with type 2 AIH and 3 with ANA seronegative disease. The average pathologic stage (Ishak score) was 3.44±1.67 (range: 0-6). Complete and partial remission was achieved in 20 (71%) and 5 (18%) patients respectively. Ten patients (38%) required maintenance prednisone either alone (2), or in combination with Azathioprine (6) or Mycophenolate Mofetil (2). Remission in the majority of patients, including 14 (50%) who were cirrhotic. Six of 14 (43%) cirrhotic patients were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSION: In an urban Latino population, cirrhosis was the initial presentation of AIH in a significant percentage of patients raising concerns regarding insufficient screening for AIH in this patient population. A large number of patients required continuous prednisone to avoid relapse.