Metabolic effects and safety of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery versus conventional medication in obese Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To assess metabolic effects and safety of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) versus conventional medication (CM) in obese Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 40 patients who underwent RYGB (mean age 44.1 years, body mass index (BMI) 33.3 kg/m2 ) and 36 patients administered CM (mean age 49.4 years, BMI 32.1 kg/m2 ). The primary endpoint was achievement of the triple endpoint (hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) <7.0%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <2.6 mmol/L, and systolic blood pressure <130 mmHg). Changes in weight, BMI, medication usage, complications, and adverse events were assessed.

RESULTS: After 1-year follow-up, 35% of RYGB patients and 8% of CM patients achieved the triple endpoint (P=0.005). More patients in the RYGB group achieved complete (48% vs. 3%, P<0.001) and partial (23% vs. 0%, P=0.007) remission of diabetes, and complete remission of hypertension (58% vs. 24%, P=0.019). Patients in the RYGB group had greater weight loss and decrease in BMI, waist circumference, fasting and postprandial of blood glucose and insulin levels, HbA1c, blood pressure, triglycerides, and increased high density cholesterol (P<0.001-<0.05). A lower proportion of the RYGB group received antidiabetics, antihypertensives, or antilipemic treatments, and had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) than the CM group during follow-up. More patients had nutrient deficiency related diseases in the RYGB group over 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: For obese Chinese patients with T2DM, RYGB resulted in better metabolic control, greater weight loss, and lower medication usage and NAFLD, but more frequently resulted in diseases related to nutrient deficiency.