Long-Term Remission of Type 2 Diabetes Is More Common with Bariatric Surgery than with Lifestyle Therapy

Short-term remission rates for type 2 diabetes are higher with bariatric surgery than with medical management (NEJM JW Gen Med Mar 26 2012 and NEJM JW Gen Med Jul 9 2013), but long-term data are lacking. In an observational study from Sweden, researchers compared long-term outcomes among 343 diabetic patients (mean age, 49; mean body-mass index [BMI], 42 kg/m²) who underwent bariatric surgery (adjustable or nonadjustable banding, vertical banded gastroplasty, or gastric bypass) with outcomes of 260 diabetic patients (mean age, 50; mean BMI, 40 kg/m²) who received usual lifestyle modification advice. Both groups received diabetes medications as needed.

The proportion of surgery patients in diabetes remission at 2 years and 15 years was 72% an…