European journal of internal medicine
-
Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Mar 2024
ReviewMetabolic Bariatric surgery in People with Obesity aged ≥65 Years.
Obesity management guidelines recommend metabolic bariatric surgery for individuals with body mass index (BMI) ≥35 kg/m2, regardless of the presence of any obesity-related comorbidity; and for individuals with BMI 30-34.9 kg/m2 with metabolic diseases. Older age is not in itself a contraindication for bariatric surgeries, which can be performed after careful selection and assessment, to decrease the risks of postoperative complications. ⋯ Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy have been the preferred bariatric procedures for older adults with obesity, as for younger patients. This review summarizes the safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery for individuals aged ≥65 years with obesity, and the efforts that have been invested to improve the perioperative and long-term consequences.
-
Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Mar 2024
ReviewWhipple's disease: A rare disease that can be spotted by many doctors.
Whipple's disease, an extremely rare, chronic infection caused by Tropheryma whipplei, an actinobacterium ubiquitously present in the environment, is a multisystemic condition that can affect several organs. Therefore, Whipple's disease should always be considered by physicians working across various branches of medicine, including internal medicine, rheumatology, infectious diseases, gastroenterology, haematology, and neurology. Initially, Whipple's disease is challenging to diagnose due to both its rarity and non-specific clinical features, almost indistinguishable from rheumatological conditions. ⋯ However, it may also be misleading as false positives can occur. If not promptly recognized and treated, central nervous system involvement may develop, which can be fatal. The therapeutic gold standard has not yet been fully established, particularly in cases of recurrent disease, neurological involvement, and an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome that may arise following the initiation of antibiotic therapy.