Background: In the United States (US), obesity is associated with a high burden of morbidity and mortality, and its prevalence is increasing. A higher prevalence of obesity disproportionately impacts rural (vs. urban) areas and the Midwest and South (vs. West and Northeast) regions (1-2). In addition, obesity is linked with greater healthcare costs compared to [...]

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is closely associated with obesity, and weight reduction is a critical component of its management. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) agonists have shown promise in promoting weight loss, potentially improving outcomes in OSA patients. We aimed to calculate the mean reduction in BMI and waist circumference after [...]

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S., with many being attributable to lifestyle-related risk factors. Obesity and diabetes, in particular, have been shown to significantly increase the risk of having a stroke. However, the connection between these conditions and the severity of stroke is not as well understood. Some research [...]

Background: Difficult intravenous access is a common challenge in patients with obesity, often resulting in placement of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). However, little is known about the relationship between obesity and the risk of device-related complications in patients with PICCs. We sought to assess associations between obesity and PICC-related complications in hospitalized medical patients. [...]

Background: Obesity is an important risk factor for common chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. However, obesity has been associated with better outcomes for patients with sepsis. The underlying pathophysiologic basis for this obesity paradox is unclear. We sought to assess patient characteristics, quality of care, and clinical outcomes of patients with obesity [...]

Case Presentation: A 43-year-old male with diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension, weighing 595 pounds, presented with right leg weakness and 10 falls over the past three months. He recently sustained a left fibular fracture. He sought care at various emergency rooms, however felt dismissed as providers attributed symptoms to his weight and prior injury. [...]

Case Presentation: A 28-year-old, 447 lb man with hypothyroidism and depression was hospitalized for neurosurgical intervention for severe lumbar spinal stenosis. He had one risk factor from the Revised Cardiac Risk Index due to the spinal procedure, and his EKG, echocardiogram, and renal function were normal. He had no history of diabetes, TIA/CVA, or cardiac [...]

Case Presentation: A 64-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department with fevers, anorexia, flank pain and two months of progressive oral sores diagnosed as refractory oral candidiasis by his outpatient provider. Comorbidities included hypertension and obesity (body-mass-index 70). Labs revealed an elevated white blood cell count (14,000/L). Bilateral pyelonephritis was diagnosed on computed tomography. Broad [...]