This edition of Meet the COMs features the Adult EASO COMs, C.I.B.O. Obesity Center – Endocrinology Unit based in Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Federico II Naples, based in Italy.
Led by Professor Annamaria Colao and Professor Giovanna Muscogiuri, this EASO COM has a dedicated multidisciplinary team including 3 endocrinologists, 2 nutritionists, and a number of dedicated bariatric surgeons. Together, the team provides individualised, patient-centred care to people living with obesity. The team is also actively engaged in clinical research, with a particular focus on circadian rhythm, inflammation, and metabolic health. C.I.B.O. supports the professional development of the COM team through regular teaching seminars, international collaborations, and hosting of the annual OPERA conference. Team members also participate in national and international conferences, including the EASO COMs Summit and the European Congress on Obesity (ECO).
Welcome, Professor Colao and Professor Muscogiuri! What have been some of the key achievements and updates from your COM in the past year? What do your current research activities include?
Over the last 12 months, our COM has continued to build on its research and clinical care capabilities, particularly in the area of chronobiology and obesity. We have recently received a national grant to research the role of circadian rhythm in obesity, a subject very important to our team. One of our standout studies focused on the impact of circadian rhythm disruption on inflammatory cytokine release in visceral adipose tissue, which is helping guide our clinical strategies. Read our study here: Zinna, L., Verde, L., Tolla, M.F.D. et al. Chronodisruption enhances inflammatory cytokine release from visceral adipose tissue in obesity. J Transl Med 23, 231 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06250-7
We’ve also examined the safety and efficacy of Very Low Energy Ketogenic Therapy (VLEKT) in people living with obesity. These projects have been supported by national research grants and are contributing valuable insights into obesity pathophysiology.
What is your COM’s approach to patient care?
We follow a personalised and holistic care model, with patients receiving coordinated support from endocrinologists, nutritionists, and surgeons. Services offered include surgical interventions, medical nutrition therapy, pharmacotherapy, and psychological support, all delivered within an integrated outpatient setting. We maintain close contact with patients throughout their treatment journey, and satisfaction is typically assessed informally through feedback during clinical visits, which allows us to tailor and refine care as needed.
Does your COM engage with the wider community in obesity awareness, prevention, and treatment?
Yes, we are active in local obesity prevention campaigns and maintain strong ties with the Italian Obesity Society (SIO). Through these efforts, we aim to educate both the public and healthcare professionals about obesity as a chronic disease and to promote evidence-based interventions. Some year ago, we organised an obesity prevention campaign in the city of Naples, called the OPERA prevention project.
Thank you. Do you have a case study you could share with the COMs network?
Yes! We have recently published data from a case study managed in our COM, on the interplay of UCP3 and PCSK1 variants in severe obesity. This case study can be read, here.
What are the biggest challenges your COM currently faces? What are your main goals for the next 3–5 years?
One of our main challenges is the high cost of obesity management medications, which limits access for some patients. Looking ahead, we aim to expand our use of digital tools in clinical care, strengthen international research partnerships, and continue our work on the intersection of circadian biology and obesity.
Thank you to Professor Colao, Professor Muscogiuri and the wider C.I.B.O. team in Naples, Italy for taking part in the Meet the COMs series. Through a combination of multidisciplinary care, cutting-edge research, and professional training, this COM is making a significant impact on obesity treatment and understanding in Italy. With a strong commitment to innovation and collaboration, C.I.B.O. is well positioned to continue advancing obesity care both nationally and across Europe.
Image: Professor Colao, Professor Muscogiuri, and some early career team members