Comparison of the Effect of Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy on Metabolic Syndrome and its Components in a Cohort: Tehran Obesity Treatment Study (TOTS)

Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases after Bariatric Surgery Based on the New PREVENT Equations

Background

We applied the novel Predicting Risk of Cardiovascular Disease EVENTs (PREVENT) equations to evaluate cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) health and estimated CVD risk, including heart failure (HF), after bariatric surgery.

Methods

Among 7804 patients (20-79 years) undergoing bariatric surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center during 1999-2022, CVD risk factors at pre-surgery, 1-year, and 2-year post-surgery were extracted from electronic health records. The 10- and 30-year risks of total CVD, atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and HF were estimated for patients without a history of CVD or its subtypes at each time point, using the social deprivation index-enhanced PREVENT equations. Paired t-tests or McNemar tests were used to compare pre- with post-surgery CKM health and CVD risk. Two-sample t-tests were used to compare CVD risk reduction between patient subgroups defined by age, sex, race, operation type, weight loss, and history of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.

Results

CKM health was significantly improved after surgery with lower systolic blood pressure, non-high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL), and diabetes prevalence, but higher HDL and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The 10-year total CVD risk decreased from 6.51% at pre-surgery to 4.81% and 5.08% at 1- and 2-year post-surgery (relative reduction: 25.9% and 16.8%), respectively. Significant risk reductions were seen for all CVD subtypes (i.e., ASCVD, CHD, stroke, and HF), with the largest reduction for HF (relative reduction: 55.7% and 44.8% at 1- and 2-year post-surgery, respectively). Younger age, White race, >30% weight loss, diabetes history, and no dyslipidemia history were associated with greater HF risk reductions. Similar results were found for the 30-year risk estimates.

Conclusions

Bariatric surgery significantly improves CKM health and reduces estimated CVD risk, particularly HF, by 45-56% within 1-2 years post-surgery. HF risk reduction may vary by patient's demographics, weight loss, and disease history, which warrants further research.

Cardiometabolic Improvements After Metabolic Surgery and Related Presurgery Factors

Context

Metabolic surgery remains the most effective and durable treatment for severe obesity and related metabolic diseases.

Objective

We examined cardiometabolic improvements after metabolic surgery and associated presurgery demographic and clinical factors in a large multiracial cohort.

Methods

Included were 7804 patients (20-79 years) undergoing first-time metabolic surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from 1999 to 2022. Pre- and 1-year postsurgery cardiometabolic profiles were extracted from medical records, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, blood lipids, glucose, and hemoglobin A1c. The 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk was estimated per American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association equations. Pre- to postsurgery cardiometabolic profiles were compared by paired t-test, and associated factors were identified by multivariable linear and logistic regression.

Results

Among 7804 patients, most were women and White, while 1618 were men and 1271 were Black; median age and BMI were 45 years [interquartile range (IQR): 37-53] and 46.4 kg/m2 (IQR: 42.1-52.4). At 1-year postsurgery, patients showed significant decreases in systolic blood pressure (10.5 [95% confidence interval: 10.1, 10.9] mmHg), total cholesterol (13.5 [10.3, 16.7] mg/dL), glucose (13.6 [12.9, 14.4] mg/dL), hemoglobin A1c (1.13% [1.06, 1.20]), and 10-year ASCVD risk (absolute reduction: 1.58% [1.22, 1.94]; relative reduction: 34.4% [29.4, 39.3]); all P < .0001. Older, male, or Black patients showed less reduction in 10-year ASCVD risk and lower odds of diabetes/hypertension/dyslipidemia remission than younger, female, or White patients. Patients with a history of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or cardiovascular disease showed less cardiometabolic improvements than those without. Results were similar with or without further adjusting for weight loss and largely sustained at 2-year postsurgery.

Conclusion

Metabolic surgery results in significant cardiometabolic improvements, particularly among younger, female, or White patients and those without comorbidities.

LAPAROSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY VERSUS LAPAROSCOPIC ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS FOR WEIGHT LOSS IN OBESE PATIENTS: WHICH IS MORE EFFECTIVE? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery is the most effective option to reduce weight in morbid obesity patients. The techniques most employed are the restrictive surgery laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), surgical procedures of intestinal malabsorption, and both types (restrictive and intestinal malabsorption) such as the Roux-en-Y laparoscopic gastric bypass (RYLGB).

AIMS

To determine if LSG is more effective than RYLGB for weight loss.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out, including five clinical trials and sixteen cohorts comparing LSG versus RYLGB in weight loss and secondary outcomes: resolution of comorbidities, postoperative complications, operative time, hospital stay, and improvement in quality of life.

RESULTS

Excess weight loss was 10.2% (mean difference [MD] 10.2; 95%CI -10.14; -9.90) higher in patients undergoing LSG than in patients submitted to RYLGB. Diabetes mellitus type 2 was resolved in 17% (relative risk [RR] 0.83; 95%CI 0.77-0.90) of cases, more significantly after LSG, arterial hypertension in 23% (RR 0.77; 95%CI 0.69-0.84), and dyslipidemia in 17% (RR 0.83; 95%CI 0.77-0.90). Postoperative complications were 73% higher in patients undergoing RYLGB (MD 0.73; 95%CI 0.63-0.83). The operative time was 35.76 minutes shorter in the LSG (MD -35.76; 95%CI -37.28; -34.24). Finally, the quality of life improved more in patients operated by LSG (MD 0.37; 95%CI -0.48; -0.26).

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrated that LSG could be more effective than RYLGB in reducing the percentage of excess weight, comorbidities, postoperative complications, operative time, hospital stay, and in improving quality of life.

Arterial Hypertension in Morbid Obesity after Bariatric Surgery: Five Years of Follow-Up, a Before-And-After Study

BACKGROUND

Arterial hypertension (HTN) is common among morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The aim of this study is to analyse the prevalence and evolution of HTN and weight loss in patients suffering from morbid obesity before and after bariatric surgery, during a follow-up period of five years.

METHODS

A before-and-after study was carried out on severely obese patients undergoing Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass (LRYGB). Criteria for HTN diagnosis were current treatment with antihypertensive agents and/or systolic blood pressure (SBP) > 140 mmHg and/or diastolic (DBP) > 90 mmHg. HTN remission was defined as normalisation of blood pressure (BP) maintained after discontinuation of medical treatment, and HTN recurrence was considered when HTN diagnostic criteria reappeared after remission. Weight loss during the study period was evaluated for each patient, calculating excess weight loss percentage (% EWL) and BMI loss percentage (% BMIL) with reference to the baseline value.

RESULTS

A total of 273 patients were included in the study. HTN was present in 48.2%; 29.4% of hypertensive patients showed HTN remission two years after the surgical procedure, 30.3% of them had relapsed at five years.

CONCLUSION

LRYGB in obese patients is associated with a remission of HTN, and no weight loss differences were observed between the group of patients showing HTN remission at two years and the group who did not. However, differences were observed after the second follow-up year, with an increased weight loss in the remission group, which could indicate that sustained weight loss favours the control of HTN.

Bariatric surgery in the Middle East and North Africa: narrative review with focus on culture-specific considerations

There is an increasing volume of bariatric surgeries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), but the context of bariatric surgery in the region is not fully understood. Incorporating culture-specific considerations in the provision of care to patients who undergo bariatric surgery may help to optimize outcomes after surgery. We conducted a narrative review of published research studies on bariatric surgery in the MENA region, highlighting cultural and contextual aspects relevant to the care of bariatric surgery patients who undergo surgery in this geographic area. The authors searched the following online databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Academic Search Elite from 2010-2020 for studies conducted in 18 countries in the MENA region. This narrative review identifies cultural-specific considerations that may affect bariatric care and outcomes in 6 domains: knowledge of bariatric surgery; mental health, body image, and quality of life; influence of family; religion and lifestyle; preoperative practices; and healthcare access. Provision of culturally congruent care may help patients to achieve the best possible outcomes after bariatric surgery. Results may inform efforts to provide safe and culture-specific care in the MENA region, as well as those who migrate or seek care in other countries. More research is warranted on this heterogeneous population to optimize postsurgery weight trajectory and psychosocial adjustment.

The Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Metabolic Syndrome: A Three-center Experience in Saudi Arabia

PURPOSE

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases in parallel with the increasing incidence of obesity. Hence, bariatric surgery is potentially curative in obese patients with MetS. We aim to measure the effect of bariatric surgery as well as the potential factors leading to MetS resolution in the Saudi population.

METHODS

A retrospective review of three tertiary care centers in Saudi Arabia was done. We identified 386 patients who have MetS and underwent bariatric surgery during the period between January 2016 and December 2018. After exclusion of patients with insufficient follow-up, data from 275 patients was analyzed. MetS diagnosis, persistence, and resolution were determined using the International Diabetes Federation consensus worldwide definition.

RESULTS

MetS resolution was achieved in 78%, 79%, 73%, and 82% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years after bariatric surgery, respectively. Accumulatively, 80% achieved MetS resolution with an average follow-up period of two and a half years. Patients who experienced resolution had younger age, lower BMI, lower systolic blood pressure, lower triglycerides, lower fasting plasma glucose, and lower HbA1c preoperatively in addition to a higher percentage of excess weight loss after bariatric surgery when compared to those who had persistence of MetS.

CONCLUSION

More than three fourths of patients with MetS achieved resolution after bariatric surgery. Certain patient characteristics, such as young age and higher excess weight loss postoperatively, were associated with a higher chance of MetS resolution.

Longitudinal Comparison of the Effect of Gastric Bypass to Sleeve Gastrectomy on Liver Function in a Bariatric Cohort: Tehran Obesity Treatment Study (TOTS)

BACKGROUND

Patients with morbid obesity commonly have fatty liver disease and elevated liver enzymes. While surgery effectively induces weight loss, bariatric techniques may differ regarding liver function improvement.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate and compare the trends of liver function recovery after gastric bypass surgery (GB) with sleeve gastrectomy (SG).

SETTING

University hospitals, Iran.

METHODS

Adult bariatric candidates without a history of alcohol consumption or other etiologies of liver disease who underwent SG (n = 682) or GB (n = 355) were included. Trends of weight loss parameters and alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) at 0, 6 (in 90.4%), 12 (in 83.5%), and 24 months (in 67.1%) were compared using generalized estimating equations method.

RESULTS

Overall, 1037 patients with mean age of 38.4 ± 11.2 and mean body mass index of 44.9 ± 6.2 kg/m² were analyzed. Seventy-eight percent of patients had fatty liver by ultrasound. Both GB and SG patients lost significant weight, with GB patients having a higher percentage of excess weight loss at 24 months (80.1% vs. 75.9%, P_{between-group} = .008). SG patients showed more favorable trends in liver chemistries with significantly lower ALT at 12 months and AST and ALP levels at 6 and 12 months. However, the two groups were comparable at 24 months. Significantly more GB patients developed high ALT at 6 and high AST at 6 and 12 months. Undergoing GB was associated with smaller 0-12-month changes in ALT, AST, and ALP.

CONCLUSIONS

Bariatric surgery resulted in improvement in liver function parameters, with SG showing advantages over GB in the first postoperative year.

Metabolic syndrome after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in patients with morbid obesity: Five years of follow-up, a before and after study

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is common among morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The aim of this study is to analyse prevalence and evolution of MetS in patients suffering from morbid obesity, before and after bariatric surgery, during a follow-up period of 5 years.

METHODS

A before-after study was carried out including 156 patients with MetS. The definition of metabolic syndrome according to the Joint Interim Statement (JIS) definition was used. Demographic, as well as anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical analyses were assessed before, as well as 2 and 5 years after performing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

RESULTS

High BMI (100%), elevated blood pressure (78%) and low levels of high density lipoprotein (70%) were the most prevalent criteria for MetS. The percentage of people with MetS decreased significantly to 48.9% at 2 years and 24.1% at 5 years. The weight was also significantly reduced at 2 years, although at 5 years a rebound effect is already observed. Percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) and excess BMI loss (%EBMIL) were. 49.7 ± 19.4% and 68.2 ± 18.9%, respectively, at 2 years and 29.3 ± 11.6% and 62.0 ± 24.9 at 5 years, both presenting significant differences (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

RYGB in obese patients is associated with a significant improvement of MetS and its comorbidities. Insufficient weight loss is the main factor related to the prevalence of MetS.

Resolution of metabolic syndrome and related metabolic disorders after bariatric surgery: comparison of sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass

BACKGROUND

The effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) on metabolic syndrome (MS) in morbidly obese patients have not been well studied.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of LSG and LRYGB in Chinese morbidly obese patients with MS.

SETTING

University Hospital, China.

METHODS

Patients who underwent LRYGB or LSG surgery and had completed at least 1 year of follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Bariatric and metabolic outcomes in the 2 groups were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the predictors of MS remission.

RESULTS

Of the 176 patients enrolled in this study, 79 underwent LSG and 97 underwent LRYGB. Eighty-three met 3 of the International Diabetes Federation criteria for diagnosis of MS, 69 met 4 of the criteria, and 24 met 5 of the criteria. At 1 year after bariatric surgery, 79% of patients achieved remission of MS. In both LSG and LRYGB groups, the number of MS criteria met by patients decreased significantly after surgery. The MS remission rate was not significantly different between the 2 groups (74.7% in LSG versus 82.5% in LGB; P = .21). In LSG patients, there was no significant decrease in blood pressure or increase in the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol at 1 year. On logistic regression analysis, younger age, lower body mass index, and lower homeostatic model of assessment-insulin resistance were independently associated with MS remission at 1 year after surgery. Both groups showed satisfactory and comparable weight loss (percentage of excess weight loss: 71.7% in LSG versus 74.4% in LRYGB). No surgery-related mortality occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Both LSG and LRYGB are feasible, safe, and effective in Chinese obese patients with MS. LSG seems to be inferior to LRYGB with regard to control of hypertension and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Ghrelin levels could be involved in the improvement of insulin resistance after bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Ghrelin is a gastrointestinal peptide involved in regulation of body weight and energy balance. However, its behavior after bariatric surgery and its relationship to insulin resistance are still controversial. A simultaneous assessment was made of the association between changes in ghrelin levels and different variables after three types of bariatric surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ghrelin levels were measured in 103 morbidly obese subjects before and 6 months after bariatric surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), biliopancreatic diversion of Scopinaro (BPD), and sleeve gastrectomy (SG)), and in 21 non-obese subjects.

RESULTS

Ghrelin levels increased after RYGB (p<0.05), were unchanged after BPD, and decreased after SG (p<0.05). The percent change in ghrelin levels (Δ-ghrelin) was associated to the type of surgery in a multiple linear regression model (p=0.017). When the same analysis was only performed in subjects in whom the gastric fundus was maintained (RYGB and BPD), Δ-ghrelin was negatively associated to Δ-HOMA-IR (p=0.001). In morbidly obese subjects who underwent RYGB and BPD, the odds ratio of a lower Δ-HOMA-IR in patients with Δ-ghrelin in the Q1 quartile versus those with Δ-ghrelin in the Q4 quartile was 8.74 (1.73-44.06) (p=0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in ghrelin levels after bariatric surgery are associated to the presence or absence of the gastric fundus. After bariatric surgery, the decrease in insulin resistance was associated to increased ghrelin levels in procedures in which the fundus is not excluded.