DIABETES REMISSION RATE IN DIFFERENT BMI GRADES FOLLOWING ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS

Type 2 diabetes mellitus has a high long-term remission rate after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), but few studies have analyzed patients with BMI<35 kg/m2.

To compare glycemic control after LRYGB between BMI 30-35 kg/m2 (intervention group or IG) and >35 kg/m2 patients (control group or CG) and to evaluate weight loss, comorbidities and surgical morbidity.

Sixty-six diabetic patients (30 in IG group and 36 in CG group) were submitted to LRYGB. Data collected annually after surgery were analyzed with generalized estimating equations.

Average follow-up was 4.3 years. There was no statistical difference between groups using complete remission American Diabetes Association criteria (OR 2.214, 95%CI 0.800-5.637, p=0.13). There was significant difference between groups using partial remission American Diabetes Association criteria (p=0.002), favouring the CG group (OR 6.392, 95%CI 1.922-21.260). The higher BMI group also had lower HbA1c levels (-0.77%, 95%CI -1.26 to -0.29, p=0.002). There were no significant differences in remission of hypertension, dyslipidemia and surgical morbidity, while weight was better controlled in the IG group.

No differences were found in diabetes complete remission, although greater partial remission and the lower levels of glycated hemoglobin in the BMI >35 kg/m2 group suggest a better response among more obese diabetic patients with LRYGB. In addition, both groups had important metabolic modifications at the expense of low morbidity.