Bariatric Surgery vs. Medical Therapy for Obese Diabetic Patients

In a randomized trial, improved glycemic control and better quality of life after bariatric surgery persisted at 5 years.

In obese patients with type 2 diabetes, bariatric surgery can improve or normalize glycemic control. In a Cleveland Clinic trial, 150 overweight or obese adults (body-mass index [BMI] range, 27–43 kg/m²) with longstanding type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive intensive medical therapy alone or intensive medical therapy plus either Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. Three-year outcomes were reported previously (NEJM JW Gen Med May 1 2014 and N Engl J Med 2014; 370:2002); now, we have 5-year follow-up data for 134 patients whose mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) level was 9.2% at baseline.

The primary outcome of HbA_1c level of ≤6.0% was achieved more frequently in the bypass and sleeve gastrectomy groups (29% and 23%, resp…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Bariatric Surgery vs. Medical Therapy for Obese Diabetic Patients

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Reviewing Author