Questions for this month’s clinical challenge are based on articles in this issue. The clinical challenge is endorsed by the RACGP Quality Improvement and Continuing Professional Development (QI&CPD) program and has been allocated four Category 2 points (Activity ID:102497). Answers to this clinical challenge are available immediately following successful completion online at http://gplearning.racgp.org.au. Clinical challenge quizzes may be completed at any time throughout the 2017–19 triennium;therefore, the previous months’ nswers are not published.
Each of the questions or incomplete statements below is followed by four or five suggested answers or completions. Select the most appropriate statement as your answer.
Case
Emma, a retail assistant aged 26 years, has been obese for the past 15 years. She began gaining weight after her father’s sudden death from an acute myocardial infarction. Emma has been seeing a psychologist and has maintained a nutrition and exercise program. She has chronic knee and back pain. Her body mass index (BMI) is now 37 kg/m2. She comes to see you to discuss bariatric–metabolic surgery.
Question 1
How soon after bariatric–metabolic surgery is maximum weight loss (usually 20–32%) achieved?
- 1–2 years
- 5–6 years
- 9–10 years
- 20–30 years
Question 2
A proven benefit from marked weight loss following bariatric–metabolic surgery is:
- Cessation of insulin in type 2 diabetes
- Mild reduction of cardiovascular morbidity
- Improved histological appearance in liver cirrhosis
- Major improvement in apnoea–hypopnoea index
Question 3
Which surgical procedures would give the best therapeutic weight loss outcome for a young woman with BMI of 37 kg/m2?
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
- Total gastrectomy
- Adjustable gastric banding
- Sleeve gastrectomy
Question 4
Which of the following is considered routine pre-operative preparation for bariatric surgery?
- Psychiatric referral
- Micronutrient assessment
- Cardiologist referral
- Abdominal ultrasound
Question 5
Abdominal pain and dizziness on day two following bariatric surgery is most likely to indicate:
- dehydration
- deep vein thrombosis
- bowel infection
- dumping syndrome
- low iron and glucose
Question 6
Which one of the following is NOT a long term complication of bariatric–metabolic surgery?
- Microcytic anaemia
- Macrocytic anaemia
- Weight regain
- Dumping syndrome
- Diverticular disease
Question 7
Which of the following is considered routine post-operative follow-up for bariatric surgery?
- Maintenance of insulin dosage
- Reduction in lipid-lowering drugs
- Maintenance of strength training
- Discontinuation of antihypertensive agents
Case continued
Emma’s mother, Patty, also obese, survived an acute myocardial infarction three years ago. She is interested in non-surgical therapies that aid weight loss. You discuss with her a range of medications that are available, including their relative risks and benefits.
Question 8
Which of the following is NOT a contraindication for prescribing phentermine long term?
- Cardiovascular disease
- Psychiatric disease
- History of substance abuse
- Gluten enteropathy
Question 9
A documented mode of action for weight loss with orlistat is:
- enhanced pancreatic lipases
- enhanced gastric lipases
- reduced absorption of dietary fat
- appetite suppression
Question 10
The most common side effect of orlistat is:
- Gastrointestinal disturbance
- Increase in glycated haemoglobin
- Kidney stones
- Vitamin B complex deficiency
Question 11
Which cardiometabolic risk factor is NOT improved by liraglutide?
- Inflammatory markers
- Glycaemic parameters
- Blood pressure
- Uric acid levels
Question 12
Which one of the following is NOT a common side effect of topiramate?
- Gout
- Paraesthesia
- Dry mouth
- Insomnia
Case continued
Patty has heard that sleep disturbance may be part of the problem. She a history of snoring and waking feeling tired. She agrees to a sleep study. She is interested in hearing more about continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines used for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
Question 13
Which one of the following has NOT been shown as a proven benefit from CPAP therapy?
- Improved quality of life
- Substantive weight loss
- Decreased daytime sleepiness
- Improved depression scores
Case continued
Patty wonders if Emma’s obesity may have in fact started much earlier, when she was a child.
Question 14
The definition of obesity in the paediatric population in Australia is:
- BMI >30 kg/m2
- >97th percentile BMI for age
- BMI >25 kg/m2
- >85th percentile BMI for age
Question 15
What is the probability that a woman who is morbidly obese will lose 5% total weight over one year?
- One in 20
- One in 124
- One in seven
- One in 677
Case continued
Patty has been following new ideas in obesity management and asks about leptin. You know that leptin is currently under investigation as a possible target for new obesity medications.
Question 16
Which one of the following best describes the effect of leptin?
- Extreme hyperphagia
- Hypogonadism
- Reduced sympathetic tone
- Satiety
Question 17
Where in the body is leptin produced?
- Hypothalamus
- Fat cells
- Central nervous system
- Arcuate nucleus
Correspondence afp@racgp.org.au
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