Bariatric Surgery Among Obese Veterans: a Retrospective Review of Complications and Intermediate Term Results from a Single Institution

Eating Disorders and Overweight/Obesity in Veterans: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Treatment Considerations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Eating disorders (EDs) and overweight/obesity (OW/OB) have a significant impact on veterans. This review highlights current research on EDs and OW/OB in this population.

RECENT FINDINGS

Prevalence estimates for both EDs and OW/OB among veterans remain consistent with and possibly higher than those in the general population. Both diagnoses share multiple risk factors, including trauma history, and mental health comorbidities. Although weight loss treatments have been fairly well studied among veteran samples, there are no published investigations on psychotherapies for EDs in this population. The Veterans Healthcare Administration is working to train providers in ED treatments. VHA treatments for OW/OB show some benefits and areas for improvement. Areas for future research include structured assessments for EDs and disordered eating behaviors in veterans to clarify prevalence estimates. There is a need for interventions that consider common mechanisms for ED and OW/OB, and there is a need for more research on the associations between different types of trauma and ED/OW/OB in veterans.

Remission of Type 2 Diabetes and Sleeve Gastrectomy in Morbid Obesity: a Comparative Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has gained popularity which has resulted in a rising number of patients with T2DM to undergo this procedure. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the long-term effects of SG on T2DM remission with remission seen after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or gastric banding (GB).

METHODS

A literature search was performed in PubMed and Cochrane Library using the following search terms: 'sleeve gastrectomy', 'diabetes', 'gastric bypass' and 'gastric banding'. Studies published between January 2000 and April 2018, and with following inclusion criteria were selected for this review: BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2, age ≥ 18 years, follow-up ≥ 1 year, T2DM. Data was statistically analysed using a random-effects model and results were expressed as odds ratio with 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

After exclusion, 35 out of an initial 748 studies, consisting of 18 138 T2DM patients, remained for inclusion. Of these patients, 2480 underwent a SG. The remaining patients underwent a RYGB (n = 10,597) or GB (n = 5061). One year postoperatively, SG patients reached significantly (OR 0.71, p = 0.003) less T2DM remission than RYGB. After stratifying for different criteria for remission, RYGB still tended to result in higher remission rates, but the difference was not statistically significant. Beyond 1 year of follow-up, the difference between RYGB and SG in terms of T2DM remission decreased. SG was superior to the GB (OR 2.17, p = 0.001) after 1 year of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This review demonstrates important remission of T2DM following SG. Nevertheless, as remission was significantly more often observed following RYGB surgery, the latter procedure remains the gold standard for reaching T2DM remission in patients with concurrent obesity.

Relationship Between Bariatric Surgery and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between bariatric surgery (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy [LSG] and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [LRYGB]) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The number of obese patients with newly onset, worsened, or improved GERD after bariatric surgery in each article were extracted. In the pooled analysis, LSG was associated with a higher risk of GERD than LRYGB (odds ratio [OR] = 5.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.60-7.23, p < 0.001). Compared with LSG, LRYGB had a better effect on GERD (OR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.12-0.30, p < 0.001). LRYGB was more effective for treating GERD in obese patients than LSG and the incidence of newly onset GERD after LRYGB was lower.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Morbid Obesity at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center

BACKGROUND

Class III obesity is a global health emergency associated with an increase in the incidence of many other diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, infertility, and mental health disorders. Minimal work has been published regarding the efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in the veteran population to surgically manage morbid obesity.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of LSG performed at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) between 2010 and 2017. Veterans were followed from their enrollment in the bariatric program until twelve months following LSG. The primary outcome of interest was excess and total weight loss with resolution of associated comorbidities.

RESULTS

Excess weight loss at nine and 12 months was 43.5% and 40.7% and total weight loss was 20.1% and 19.0%, respectively. LSG performed at a VAMC resulted in 86.9% improvement in type 2 diabetes mellitus and a 66.1% improvement in hypertension and 74.3% improvement in hyperlipidemia. Approximately 10.0% of diabetics obtained partial and 9.0% obtained complete resolution of their disease. Similarly, 22.0% of Veterans obtained partial and 13.0% obtained complete resolution from hypertension. Complete resolution from hyperlipidemia was achieved in 8.8% of Veterans. There were no postoperative complications or staple line leaks.

CONCLUSION

LSG is a safe and effective tool for morbid obesity with clinical and serological improvements for individuals who are unable to lose weight with medical management alone.