Greater weight loss after bariatric surgery tied to diabetes remission

(HealthDay)—Remission of type 2 diabetes following bariatric surgery peaks at 20 percent total weight loss (TWL), according to a study published online Sept. 13 in Diabetes Care.

Douglas Barthold, Ph.D., from the University of Washington in Seattle, and colleagues assessed the amount of weight loss necessary to achieve initial remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) following bariatric surgery. The analysis included 5,928 individuals (73 percent female; mean age, 49.8 years; mean body mass index, 43.8 kg/m²) who had bariatric surgery (57 percent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass), with an average follow-up of 5.9 years.

The researchers found that 71 percent of patients experienced initial remission of T2DM (mean time to remission, 1.0 year). Patients were more likely to remit with each 5 percent increase in TWL until 20 percent TWL (hazard ratio range, 1.97 to 2.92) versus those with 0 to 5 percent TWL. Patients with TWL >25 percent had a likelihood of initial remission similar to those with 20 to 25 percent TWL. Even among patients using insulin at the time of surgery, those who achieved >20 percent TWL were more likely to achieve initial T2DM remission versus patients with 0 to 5 percent TWL.

"Our findings can be used to help providers and patients discuss realistic expectations for weight loss following bariatric surgery and how this will affect their T2DM remission," the authors write.

One author disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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