New Glucose Index Predicts Diabetes Remission after Gastric Bypass

Researchers evaluated 139 patients with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. The mean age of the participants in the study was 48 years, and the cohort had a BMI range of 33 kg/m² to 75 kg/m².

Information on demographics, metabolic factors, types of medication used to treat diabetes and the amount of weight loss at 6 weeks and 1 year following surgery were collected to determine potential predictive factors of diabetes remission after bypass. Remission was classified as sufficient glycemic control without the use of medication.

Glucose disposition index prior to surgery (HR=3.94, P=.0112) and insulin use (HR=0.13, P<.0001) were found to be independent predictors for T2DM remission following bypass using log rank analysis. Investigators also found that HbA1c levels decreased significantly following bypass (from 6.9±0.8% to 6.0±0.9%, P=.0001).

"Disposition index, a measure of residual beta cell function, and usage of insulin independently predict reversibility of T2DM after RYGB," the researchers concluded. "Postoperative weight loss is not a predictor for remission of T2DM. These factors can be useful when applying RYGB to nonobese populations with the intention of addressing T2DM."

Perugini RA. #PL-110: Predictors for Remission of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. Presented at: the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Annual Meeting; June 17-22, San Diego.