Top 2021 endocrine meeting news: Second-gen obesity drugs, plant-based diets and more
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The Healio and Endocrine Today editors have compiled the top meeting news from 2021.
Readers were most interested in learning about how new obesity agents may change treatment approaches, the metabolic consequences of obstructive sleep apnea, benefits among plant-based eating patterns and more.
Here are 10 of Healio’s most-read meeting stories from 2021.
Treat-to-target to improve cardiometabolic health with second-generation obesity drugs
The approval of semaglutide (Wegovy, Novo Nordisk) has opened the door for a new approach to treat obesity, according to W. Timothy Garvey, MD, FACE, MABOM. Garvey discussed a treat-to-target approach with a focus on other cardiometabolic conditions during a presentation at the World Congress on Insulin Resistance, Diabetes & Cardiovascular Disease.
Metabolic consequences of obstructive sleep apnea persist, despite treatment
Obstructive sleep apnea can predispose a person to hyperglycemia and even type 2 diabetes, yet data show continuous positive airway pressure therapy does not improve markers of glucose dysregulation. In a presentation at the Heart in Diabetes CME conference, Naresh M. Punjabi, MD, PhD, discussed how obstructive sleep apnea can impair insulin and alter free fatty acid kinetics.
Vegan diet provides most health benefits among plant-based eating patterns
Among plant-based eating patterns, vegetarian and vegan diets provide the most benefits, according to a presentation from Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD, MBA, at the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists annual meeting. Compared with other plant-based eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, vegetarian and vegan diets provide greater reductions in body weight, fat mass and LDL cholesterol and improved insulin sensitivity.
Timing of eating, not duration, associated with better cardiometabolic health
The timing of eating could have an impact on cardiometabolic health, according to findings presented by Marriam Ali, MD, at the ENDO annual meeting. In analysis of data from two dietary recalls, adults who ate their first meal before 8:30 a.m. each day had lower insulin resistance than those who began eating after 8:30 a.m.
Midlife migraines ‘treatable,’ but team-based approach needed
The cause of midlife migraines in women is likely multifactorial, though research suggests that fluctuating hormone levels may play a role, according to a speaker at the North American Menopause Society annual meeting. Kevin Weber, MD, MHA, discussed migraine prevalence in women and how the condition is now thought to be a neural process with many contributing factors.
Novel obesity classifications can aid in tailoring weight-loss treatments
Using phenotype-guided obesity interventions can lead to greater weight loss for people with obesity than standard of care. In a presentation at the Obesity Medicine Association 2021 virtual conference, Andres Acosta, MD, PhD, described how phenotype-guided treatment can help individualize care for each person with obesity based on what is driving their disease.
The ‘unhappy thyroid patient’: Listen, ask questions, consider medication changes
A subset of patients with hypothyroidism report dissatisfaction with treatment and persistent symptoms, such as fatigue and weight gain, despite medication, according to a presenter at the ENDO annual meeting. Anne R. Cappola, MD, ScM, discussed how endocrinologists can take steps to improve treatment satisfaction for patients.
SURPASS-2: Tirzepatide bests semaglutide in HbA1c reduction, weight loss
The investigational glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide (Eli Lilly) led to significant and superior HbA1c and body weight reductions for adults with type 2 diabetes vs. semaglutide, according to SURPASS-2 study data presented at the American Diabetes Association annual meeting.
Low-calorie ketogenic diet boosts testosterone for men with obesity
Eating a very low-calorie ketogenic diet may increase testosterone levels in men with obesity, according to a small study presented at the European Congress of Endocrinology. In data presented by Angelo Cignarelli, MD, PhD, strong associations were observed between glucose regulation and hepatic and testicular function.
Exercise builds bone strength during menopause
Postmenopausal women with low bone mass saw greater gains in spine bone mineral density and less bone turnover when assigned monthly risedronate therapy compared with a 12-month regimen of impact and resistance exercises, according to data presented by Laura D. Bilek, PhD, PT, at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research annual meeting.
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