Sharp Drop in Bariatric Surgery; Plea to Protect Research; How to Prescribe Exercise

For the first time since 2020, annual bariatric surgery procedures in the U.S. fell below 200,000 in 2024 — more than a 20% drop from the previous year — according to research presented at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery annual meeting.

Meanwhile, among adults with obesity, bariatric surgery was tied to greater reductions in lifetime atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk compared with GLP-1 agent use. (Annals of Surgery)

Yet another study linked the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists with a modestly increased risk for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, a potentially blinding eye condition. (JAMA Network Open)

Diabetes experts called for immediate action to prevent irreversible damage to medical progress, arguing that the Trump administration’s actions are dismantling biomedical research infrastructure through funding delays and restrictive policies. (Diabetes Care)

The investigational, subcutaneous monoclonal antibody elegrobart led to greater reductions in proptosis versus placebo in a phase III trial of chronic thyroid eye disease, developer Viridian Therapeutics announced.

Two-year phase III trial data showed children and adolescents with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia treated with crinecerfont (Crenessity) had durable androgen control and sustained decreases in glucocorticoid doses, said Neurocrine Biosciences.

As “simply recommending exercise is often ineffective,” authors of a JAMA perspective outlined best practices for clinicians prescribing exercise in the era of GLP-1 drugs.

Health Canada announced approval of a generic version of injectable semaglutide (Ozempic) for type 2 diabetes.

GoodRx will offer oral semaglutide to cash-paying patients for $149 a month.

Researchers developed a machine-learning algorithm that improved prediction of type 1 diabetes by leveraging genetic risk factors. (Nature Genetics)

Another research team developed a model that stratified 10-year risk for 18 obesity-related complications. (Nature Medicine)