Top stories in endocrinology: Growth hormone therapy improves quality of life in children with short stature, Gelesis100 contributes to weight loss

Among the top endocrinology stories last week were an analysis that determined growth hormone therapy improved the emotional and social quality of life in children with short stature and a study that found adults that took Gelesis100 lost more weight than those who were given a placebo.

Other highlights included findings that suggested the relationship between smoking status and diabetes-related complications was mediated by differences in HbA1c, an analysis of data that found thyroidectomy before age 1 improved chances of survival into adulthood for children with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B and a study that proposed treatment for hyperthyroidism may lessen risk for CVD.

Growth hormone therapy improves emotional, social quality of life in children with short stature

Children with short stature who received 1 year of growth hormone treatment experienced improvements in emotional and social quality-of-life measures when compared with baseline assessments, according to an analysis of two pediatric quality-of-life scales. Read more.

Gelesis100 shows promise for weight loss in adults with obesity

Consistent administration of Gelesis100, a nonsystemic, superabsorbent hydrogel in oral capsule form, can double the odds for meaningful weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity compared with lifestyle modifications alone, according to findings published in Obesity. Read more.

Association between smoking, microvascular complications mediated by HbA1c in type 1 diabetes

Among adults with type 1 diabetes, a relationship between smoking status and diabetes-related complications is predominantly mediated by differences in HbA1c observed between current vs. never smokers, according to findings published in PLOS ONE. Read more.

Early thyroidectomy can improve survival in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B

Among children with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B, thyroidectomy before age 1 year can improve chances of survival into adulthood, whereas adrenal-sparing surgery can improve functional outcomes, according to an analysis of global registry data published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. Read more.

Untreated hyperthyroidism increases CVD risk

Among adults with hyperthyroidism, treatment for the condition can mitigate their increased risk for cardiovascular disease, according to findings published in Thyroid. In addition, longer periods of decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone elevate CVD mortality for treated and untreated adults with hyperthyroidism. Read more.