Type 2 Diabetes and HbA1c Predict All-Cause Post-Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Hospital Readmission

The main goal of this analysis was to determine whether type 2 diabetes and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) predict all-cause 30-day hospital readmission after metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). It was hypothesized that a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes or high HbA1c values would predict all-cause hospital readmission rates post MBS.

A retrospective analysis from the 2015-2018 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) cohort was completed (N = 744,776); 30,972 participants were readmitted during the 30 days post MBS.

Mean age of the MBSAQIP sample was 45.1 (11.5) years, and the majority were female (80.7%) and non-Hispanic White (59.4%). The all-cause hospital readmission rate was 4.2% and increased by 10% in those with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c > 7.5% [> 58 mmol/mol]); after adjustment, diabetes was not associated with increased readmission. Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and prediabetes resulted in less weight loss 30 days post MBS.

These results based on a national MBS cohort showed that uncontrolled type 2 diabetes is associated with a greater likelihood of all-cause hospital readmission and reduced weight loss 30 days post MBS. Both type 2 diabetes and prediabetes were also associated with decreased weight loss 30 days post MBS. These findings highlight the need to classify and optimize glycemic control prior to MBS.