Partial remission of Type 2 diabetes and changes in quality of life after gastric bypass.

Introduction: The prevalence of severe obesity is increasing and highly associated with co-morbidities such as Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Furthermore, quality of life (QoL) is negatively affected among patients with severe obesity and T2D. Studies have found that gastric bypass surgery may lead to remission of T2D and improved QoL. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between partial remission of T2D and change in QoL from baseline to a one-year follow-up in severely obese patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB).

Methods: This cohort study was based on data from patients with T2D undergoing LRYGB at a private hospital in Denmark and included 704 patients among whom 337 (48%) patients with T2D contributed with data in the analysis. Data were collected preoperatively and at a one-year follow-up. Preoperative T2D status was patient-reported and validated through the patient's medical record. At the one-year follow-up, partial remission was defined as an HbA1c concentration less than 7.3% with no use of antidiabetics. Continued T2D was defined as intake of diabetic medication or an HbA1c concentration > 7.3%. QoL was measured by the Moorehead-Ardelt QoL Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was applied.

Results: At the one-year follow-up, the prevalence of partial remission of T2D was 72.7%. No significant association was seen between partial remission of T2D after LRYGB and change in QoL one year later. Loss to follow-up was 35.8%.

Conclusions: The majority of patients with T2D experienced partial remission one year after undergoing LRYGB surgery. However, partial remission of T2D was not associated with an improved QoL.

Funding: none.

Trial Registration: not relevant.