Comparative Effectiveness of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Versus Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Diabetes Treatment: A Claims-based Cohort Study

Clinical-epidemiological assessment of patients undergoing bariatric and metabolic surgery in a medium-complexity service in Maranhão, Brazil

INTRODUCTION

the obesity is defined as the excessive accumulation of fat in different areas of the body, a condition that causes damage to health and is a critical risk factor for various comorbidities. Bariatric surgery is the therapeutic option with the best results.

METHODS

this is a retrospective descriptive study using data obtained from medical records from January 2018 to December 2020 on patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Statistical analysis used a significance level of p<0.05.

RESULTS

178 medical records were included, 77.5% of which were women. The average age was 35.7 years (± 9.5), 63.8% of the patients were from Imperatriz, 98.3% reported a sedentary lifestyle, 38.7% regular alcohol consumption and 13% smoking. The prevalence of Class III obesity (BMI≥40 kg/m²) was 53.3%. The most common comorbidities were hepatic steatosis (64.6%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) (40.5%) and hypertension (38.7%). The main type of surgery performed was Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (89.3%). There was an association between median BMI and gender (p=0.008), with women showing higher values [43.4 (IQR 39.1 - 48.8)]. The mean BMI of patients who underwent RYGB was significantly higher compared to those who underwent vertical gastrectomy (VG) (p=0.009). There was a statistical association between DM2 (p=0.033) and depression (p=0.018) and the type of surgery performed.

CONCLUSION

the clinical and epidemiological profile found showed a higher prevalence of females and individuals with Class III obesity. RYGB was the most commonly performed procedure, establishing an association with BMI and some of the patients' comorbidities.

A risk stratification analysis of ASCVD events post-statin discontinuation in patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass bariatric/metabolic surgeries

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of mortality globally, and its prevalence is notably elevated in individuals with obesity. Bariatric surgery is an effective intervention to reduce obesity-related health risks. However, the implications of discontinuing statin therapy, particularly post-bariatric surgery, among those with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease have yet to be clarified. We aimed to ascertain the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events following statin cessation after bariatric surgery and to delineate the variance in outcomes between primary and secondary prevention cohorts.

METHODS

The TriNetX database, encompassing electronic medical records from 69 United States healthcare institutions, spanning 2012 to 2021. Using a retrospective cohort design, patients aged ≥18 years who underwent bariatric surgery and were concurrently on statin therapy were selected. Discontinuation was defined as a 90-day lapse after the last statin prescription. Patients were categorized as "primary" or "secondary" prevention based on their atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease history. The primary outcome was the occurrence of an atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease event post-statin cessation. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models discerned factors influencing this outcome.

RESULTS

Of the 453 statin users who underwent bariatric surgery, 332 (73.1%) were in the primary prevention group and 121 (26.7%) in the secondary prevention group. At 1-year post-surgery, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease event-free rates were 93% for primary and 68% for secondary prevention groups. Primary prevention patients showed an 82% reduced risk of post-statin cessation atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events than secondary prevention patients (hazard ratio, 0.181; 95% confidence interval, 0.119-0.274). Additionally, Hispanic/Latino patients had heightened post-statin cessation atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risks compared to non-Hispanic/Latino peers.

CONCLUSION

Post-bariatric surgery statin discontinuation can pose significant risks, especially for those with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease history and certain demographic groups, such as those over age 40 with diabetes. Ethnic disparities in outcomes necessitate individualized, equitable healthcare strategies. Optimal decisions about statin cessation necessitate comprehensive evaluations of cardiovascular determinants, with future research crucial to refine therapeutic approaches based on these insights.

Generalizability of Randomized Clinical Trial Outcomes for Diabetes Control Resulting From Bariatric Surgery

Objective

To assess the external validity of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of bariatric surgical treatment on diabetes control.

Background

Multisite RCTs provide the strongest evidence supporting clinical treatments and have the greatest internal validity. However, characteristics of trial participants may not be representative of patients receiving treatment in the real world. There is a need to assess how the results of RCTs generalize to all contemporary patient populations undergoing treatments.

Methods

All patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) between January 8, 2018 and May 19, 2023 had their baseline characteristics, weight change, and diabetes control compared with those enrolled in the surgical treatment and medications potentially eradicate diabetes efficiently (STAMPEDE) and diabetes surgery study (DSS) RCTs of bariatric surgery's effect on diabetes control. Weight loss and diabetes control were compared between UCLA patients who did and did not fit the entry criteria for these RCTs.

Results

Only 65 (17%) of 387 patients with diabetes fulfilled the eligibility criteria for STAMPEDE, and 29 (7.5%) fulfilled the criteria for DSS due to being older, having higher body mass index, and lower HbA1c. UCLA patients experienced slightly less weight loss than patients in the RCTs but had similar diabetes control. The 313 (81%) patients not eligible for study entry into either RCT had similar long-term diabetes control as those who were eligible for the RCTs.

Conclusions

Even though only a very small proportion of patients undergoing bariatric surgery met the eligibility criteria for the 2 major RCTs, most patients in this contemporary cohort had similar outcomes. Diabetes outcomes from STAMPEDE and DSS generalize to most patients undergoing bariatric surgery for diabetes control.

Updates in Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective long-term treatment for morbid obesity as well as type-2 diabetes mellitus. The field of metabolic and bariatric surgery has seen tremendous growth over the past decade with dramatically reduced risks. This article aims to provide an update on bariatric surgery, highlighting the latest outcomes, improvements, and challenges in the field. Recently, the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) released a major update to the indications for bariatric surgery at BMI ≥35 kg/m2 regardless of co-morbidities and 30-34.9 kg/m2 with obesity-related comorbidities. Sleeve gastrectomy has emerged as the most popular bariatric procedure in the last 10 years with its remarkable efficacy and safety profile. The implementation of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have significantly improved the quality of care for all bariatric patients. The recent introduction and FDA approval of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists for chronic obesity has garnered significant media coverage and popularity, but no guidelines exist regarding its use in relation to bariatric surgery. This update underscores the need for tailored approaches, ongoing research, and the integration of evidence-based medicine and innovations to enhance patient care.

Factors Associated with Statin Discontinuation Following Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis of 2012-2021 Electronic Medical Records Network Data

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve hyperlipidemia, decreasing the need for statin medications. Although maintaining statin therapy post-surgery for those with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is advised, it is uncertain if discontinuation risks differ between those with and without ASCVD history.

AIM

The study aims to analyze the rate and reasons for statin cessation post-bariatric surgery in the US using real-world data.

METHODS

Using the TriNetX electronic medical records network from 2012 to 2021, the study involved patients aged 18 or older on statins at the time of bariatric surgery. They were categorized into primary and secondary prevention groups based on prior ASCVD. Statin discontinuation was defined as a 90-day gap post the last statin dosage. The Cox model assessed factors influencing statin cessation.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and thirty-three statin users undergoing bariatric surgery were identified, with 564 (77%) in primary prevention. Six months post-surgery, 48% of primary prevention patients and 34.5% of secondary ones stopped statins. Primary prevention patients had a 30% higher likelihood of cessation compared to secondary prevention (hazard ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.06-1.60) as shown by multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-bariatric surgery, primary prevention patients are more likely to discontinue statins than secondary prevention patients.

Comparison of health care costs following sleeve gastrectomy versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass among patients with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to compare the impact of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on overall and diabetes-specific health care costs among patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study examined patients with type 2 diabetes after SG and RYGB using data from Optum's deidentified Clinformatics® Data Mart database. The matched study group included 9608 patients who underwent SG or RYGB and were enrolled between 2007 and 2019. The primary outcomes assessed were overall and diabetes-specific health care costs.

RESULTS

Health care costs associated with type 2 diabetes declined substantially in the first few years following both SG and RYGB. RYGB was associated with a larger decrease in pharmacy costs, as well as type 2 diabetes-specific office and laboratory costs. SG was associated with lower total health care costs in the first three follow-up periods and lower acute care costs in the first 2 years after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

In this nationwide study, patients with type 2 diabetes at baseline undergoing RYGB appear to experience a reduced need for ambulatory type 2 diabetes monitoring and reduced requirements for antidiabetes medication but, despite this, did not experience an overall medical cost-benefit in the first few years after RYGB versus SG.

Clinical Outcomes of Resectional Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Compared to Sleeve Gastrectomy for Severe Obesity

PURPOSE

Resectional Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RRYGB) is considered an alternative bariatric surgery in countries with a high incidence of stomach cancer because there is no excluded stomach after RRYGB. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RRYGB.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included patients who underwent RRYGB and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) between 2011 and 2021. Surgical complications and metabolic and nutritional profiles were compared between the patients preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Twenty and seventy-six patients underwent RRYGB and SG, respectively; 7 in the SG group were lost to follow-up within 1 year. Surgical complications and baseline characteristics were comparable between two groups, except for diabetes (90.0% vs. 44.7%, p < 0.001). The decrease of HbA1c levels and incidence of reflux esophagitis were lower in the RRYGB group compared to that of SG at 1-year postoperative (-3.0% vs. -1.8%, p = 0.014; 0% vs. 26.7%, p = 0.027). The percentage of total weight loss at 1- year postoperative and incidence of dumping syndrome were comparable between the two groups. The RRYGB group had significantly lower total cholesterol level (161.9 mg/dl vs. 196.4 mg/dl, p < 0.001), but higher incidence of vitamin B12 deficiency (30.0% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.003) at 1 year postoperative compared to those of the SG group.

CONCLUSIONS

The RRYGB group had better postoperative outcomes for diabetes and dyslipidemia without increasing surgical complications compared to that of the SG group. Thus, RRYGB can be considered a safe and effective alternative in areas where gastric cancer is prevalent.

Out-of-pocket Costs for Commercially-insured Patients in the Years Following Bariatric Surgery: Sleeve Gastrectomy Versus Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

OBJECTIVE

To compare out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for patients up to 3 years after bariatric surgery in a large, commercially-insured population.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

More information on OOP costs following bariatric surgery may affect patients' procedure choice.

METHODS

Retrospective study using the IBM MarketScan commercial claims database, representing patients nationally who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2017. We compared total OOP costs after the surgical episode between the 2 procedures using difference-in-differences analysis adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, operative year, and insurance type.

RESULTS

Of 63,674 patients, 64% underwent SG and 36% underwent RYGB. Adjusted OOP costs after SG were $1083, $1236, and $1266 postoperative years 1, 2, and 3. For RYGB, adjusted OOP costs were $1228, $1377, and $1369. In our primary analysis, SG OOP costs were $122 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -$155 to -$90) less than RYGB year 1. This difference remained consistent at -$119 (95%CI: -$158 to -$79) year 2 and -$80 (95%CI: -$127 to -$35) year 3. These amounts were equivalent to relative differences of -7%, -7%, and -5% years 1, 2, and 3. Plan features contributing the most to differences were co-insurance years 1, 2, and 3.The largest clinical contributors to differences were endoscopy and outpatient care year 1, outpatient care year 2, and emergency department use year 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study is the first to examine the association between bariatric surgery procedure and OOP costs. Differences between procedures were approximately $100 per year which may be an important factor for some patients deciding whether to pursue SG or gastric bypass.

Bariatric Surgery in Medicare Patients: Examining Safety and Healthcare Utilization in the Disabled and Elderly

OBJECTIVE

To compare safety and healthcare utilization after sleeve gastrectomy versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in a national Medicare cohort.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Though bariatric surgery is increasing among Medicare beneficiaries, no long-term, national studies examining comparative effectiveness between procedures exist. Bariatric outcomes are needed for shared decision-making and coverage policy concerns identified by the cMS Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee.

METHODS

Retrospective instrumental variable analysis of Medicare claims (2012-2017) for 30,105 bariatric surgery patients entitled due to disability or age. We examined clinical safety outcomes (mortality, complications, and reinterventions), healthcare utilization [Emergency Department (ED) visits, rehospitalizations, and expenditures], and heterogeneity of treatment effect. We compared all outcomes between sleeve and bypass for each entitlement group at 30 days, 1 year, and 3 years.

RESULTS

Among the disabled (n = 21,595), sleeve was associated with lower 3-year mortality [2.1% vs 3.2%, absolute risk reduction (ARR) 95% confidence interval (CI): -2.2% to -0.03%], complications (22.2% vs 27.7%, ARR 95%CI: -8.5% to -2.6%), reinterventions (20.1% vs 27.7%, ARR 95%CI: -10.7% to -4.6%), ED utilization (71.6% vs 77.1%, ARR 95%CI: -8.5% to -2.4%), and rehospitalizations (47.4% vs 52.3%, ARR 95%Ci: -8.0% to -1.7%). Cumulative expenditures were $46,277 after sleeve and $48,211 after bypass (P = 0.22). Among the elderly (n = 8510), sleeve was associated with lower 3-year complications (20.1% vs 24.7%, ARR 95%CI: -7.6% to -1.7%), reinterventions (14.0% vs 21.9%, ARR 95%CI: -10.7% to -5.2%), ED utilization (51.7% vs 57.2%, ARR 95%CI: -9.1% to -1.9%), and rehospitalizations (41.8% vs 45.8%, ARR 95%Ci: -7.5% to -0.5%). Expenditures were $38,632 after sleeve and $39,270 after bypass (P = 0.60). Procedure treatment effect significantly differed by entitlement for mortality, revision, and paraesophageal hernia repair.

CONCLUSIONS

Bariatric surgery is safe, and healthcare utilization benefits of sleeve over bypass are preserved across both Medicare elderly and disabled subpopulations.

Comparison of Ambulatory Health Care Costs and Use Associated With Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass vs Sleeve Gastrectomy

IMPORTANCE

Studies comparing contemporary bariatric surgical types could facilitate procedure selection for patients interested in reducing their frequency of health care visits and reliance on prescription drugs.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the association of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with ambulatory health care costs and use for as long as 4 years after surgery.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This comparative effectiveness study, which included patients undergoing bariatric surgery who were aged 18 to 64 years with at least 24 months of enrollment data before surgery and 12 months of enrollment data after surgery, used a retrospective interrupted time series with a comparison group. Data represent insurance claims dated January 2006 to June 2017, with analyses completed in September 2021. Data were collected from US commercial and Medicare Advantage claims database. Cohorts were matched on characteristics including baseline body mass index category, diabetes status, baseline ambulatory care costs, region of the United States, and year of surgery.

EXPOSURES

SG or RYGB, based on procedure codes.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Annual ambulatory health care costs, and subtypes of cost and use including prescriptions, office visits, laboratory encounters, and radiology.

RESULTS

Matched cohorts included 3049 patients who underwent SG and 3251 patients who underwent RYGB, with a mean (SD) age of 45.2 (10.0) years; 4820 (77%) were women. Full follow-up was 37% for SG (514 patients) and 38% for RYGB (643 patients) among those eligible for 4-year follow-up. There were no significant differences between SG and RYGB in total ambulatory costs, office visit costs, or radiology costs in all follow-up years. Patients who underwent SG had significantly higher prescription costs than those who underwent RYGB bypass in year 4 ($852.8 per patient per year; 95% CI: $395.6-$1310.0 per patient per year) with more cardiometabolic medication fills in each year (eg, year 4: 42.5%; 95% CI, 13.7%-71.2%). In contrast, early after surgery, patients who underwent SG had relatively fewer specialist visits (eg, year 1: -7.2%; 95% CI, -14.3% to -0.2%) and lower laboratory costs (eg, year 1: -$118.9 per patient per year; 95% CI, -$220.2 to -$17.5 per patient per year).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Despite clinical studies showing greater weight loss and comorbidity improvement with RYGB vs SG, this study found no difference in total ambulatory costs for as long as 4 years after SG and RYGB. These findings may reflect the trade-off between greater improvements in cardiometabolic health and additional surgery-related care among patients undergoing RYGB. Studies with longer follow-up time could determine whether greater sustained weight loss from RYGB eventually results in lower costs compared with SG.

Surgical Treatment of Obesity. Special Mention to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Vertical Gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of obesity has increased exponentially in recent decades, being one of the diseases that most affects global health. It is a chronic disease associated with multiple comorbidities, which lead to a decrease in life expectancy and quality of life. It requires a multidisciplinary approach by a specialized medical team. Obesity can be treated with conservative or with surgical treatments that will depend on the characteristics of the patient.

OBJECTIVE/METHODOLOGY

The referenced surgery can be performed using different surgical techniques that are analyzed in the present work through an exhaustive narrative bibliographic review in the PubMed and Cochrane databases, as well as in UpToDate.

RESULTS

Currently, those most used are restrictive techniques, specifically vertical gastrectomy and mixed techniques, with gastric bypass being the "gold standard".

CONCLUSIONS

In order to choose one technique or another, the characteristics of each patient and the experience of the surgical team must be taken into account.

RYGB Is More Effective than VSG at Protecting Mice from Prolonged High-Fat Diet Exposure: An Occasion to Roll Up Our Sleeves?

PURPOSE

Understanding the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) on adipose tissue physiology is important for the treatment of obesity-related metabolic disorders. By using robust mouse models of bariatric surgery that closely resemble those performed in humans, we can compare the effects of RYGB and VSG on adipose physiology in the absence of post-operative confounds such as diet and lifestyle changes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RYGB and VSG were compared using a diet-induced mouse model of obesity. High-fat diet (HFD) was administered post-operatively and changes to white and brown adipose tissue were evaluated, along with alterations to weight, glucose homeostasis, dyslipidemia, and insulin sensitivity.

RESULTS

After prolonged exposure to high-fat diet post-operatively, RYGB was effective in achieving sustained weight loss, while VSG unexpectedly accelerated weight gain rates. The resolution of obesity-related comorbidities such as glucose and insulin intolerance, dyslipidemia, and insulin sensitivity was improved after RYGB, but not for VSG. In RYGB, there were improvements to the function and health of white adipose tissue, enhanced brown adipose metabolism, and the browning of subcutaneous white adipose tissue, with no comparable changes seen for these factors after VSG. Some markers of systemic inflammation improved after both RYGB and VSG.

CONCLUSION

There are significantly different effects between RYGB and VSG when HFD is administered post-operatively and robust mouse models of bariatric surgery are used. RYGB resulted in lasting physiological and metabolic changes but VSG showed little difference from that of its sham-operated, DIO counterpart.

Order of discontinuation of glucose-lowering medications following bariatric surgery

AIMS

To assess the order of glucose-lowering medication (GLM) discontinuation following bariatric surgery among patients taking ≥2 GLMs.

METHODS

Patients with diabetes mellitus taking ≥2 GLM classes who underwent bariatric surgery were identified using health claims data from the United States. The order of discontinuation was assessed in patients taking ≥2 GLM classes by comparing each GLM class to the other classes in aggregate. Descriptive statistics and Poisson regression were used to assess the order of discontinuation and changes in trends in the order of discontinuation.

RESULTS

Overall, 12,244 of 26,651 patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent bariatric surgery were taking ≥2 GLM classes. When each GLM class was assessed separately, fewer than 50% of patients had metformin, sulfonylurea, thiazolidinedione, DPP-4 inhibitor, SGLT2 inhibitor, glucosidase inhibitor, or insulin discontinued first when compared to the other classes in aggregate. Between 2008 and 2014, thiazolidinediones were increasingly more likely to be the first GLM discontinued (p = 0.0432). Slightly more than 50% of patients whose GLM regimen included a sulfonylurea discontinued the sulfonylurea first despite clinical recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

From a population level, there was no consistent approach in the order of discontinuation of GLM classes in patients following bariatric surgery.

Evaluation of statin discontinuation stratified by primary versus secondary prevention following bariatric surgery: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery leads to an improvement in hyperlipidemia and a subsequent decline in the use of hyperlipidemia-related medications, including statins. In patients with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), it is recommended to continue statins; however, it is unknown whether there is a differential risk for statin discontinuation in patients with and without a history of ASCVD.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the rates and factors associated with statin discontinuation following bariatric surgery.

SETTING

Large U.S. administrative claims database of privately insured beneficiaries, January 2005 through December 2017.

METHODS

We identified patients aged ≥19 years who were statin users at the time of bariatric surgery. Patients were stratified into primary prevention and secondary prevention (patients with a history of ASCVD) groups. Time to statin discontinuation was defined as the first 90-day gap after exhausting the last day's supply of the last statin prescription. Factors associated with statin discontinuation were assessed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model.

RESULTS

We identified 19,332 statin users at the time of bariatric surgery, of whom 84% (16,221) used statins for primary prevention. At 6 months, 62% and 53% of patients in the primary and the secondary prevention treatment groups, respectively, discontinued statin use. Patients in the primary prevention treatment group were 18% more likely to discontinue statin therapy compared with the patients in the secondary prevention treatment group (hazard ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.24) according to a multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the rate of discontinuation of statin therapy after bariatric surgery was more pronounced in the primary versus secondary prevention treatment group.

Comparative Safety of Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass: An Instrumental Variables Approach

OBJECTIVE

To compare the safety of sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass in a large cohort of commercially insured bariatric surgery patients from the IBM MarketScan claims database, while accounting for measurable and unmeasurable sources of selection bias in who is chosen for each operation.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Sleeve gastrectomy has rapidly become the most common bariatric operation performed in the United States, but its longer-term safety is poorly described, and the risk of worsening gastroesophageal reflux requiring revision may be higher than previously thought. Prior studies comparing sleeve gastrectomy to gastric bypass are limited by low sample size (in randomized trials) and selection bias (in observational studies).

METHODS

Instrumental variables analysis of commercially insured patients in the IBM MarketScan claims database from 2011 to 2018. We studied patients undergoing bariatric surgery from 2012 to 2016. We identified re-interventions and complications at 30 days and 2 years from surgery using Comprehensive Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Disease (ICD)-9/10 codes. To overcome unmeasured confounding, we use the prior year's sleeve gastrectomy utilization within each state as an instrumental variable-exploiting variation in the timing of payers' decisions to cover sleeve gastrectomy as a natural experiment.

RESULTS

Among 38,153 patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2012 and 2016, the share of sleeve gastrectomy rose from 52.6% (2012) to 75% (2016). At 2 years from surgery, patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy had fewer re-interventions (sleeve 9.9%, bypass 15.6%, P < 0.001) and complications (sleeve 6.6%, bypass 9.6%, P = 0.001), and lower overall healthcare spending ($47,891 vs $55,213, P = 0.003), than patients undergoing gastric bypass. However, at the 2-year mark, revisions were slightly more common in sleeve gastrectomy than in gastric bypass (sleeve 0.6%, bypass 0.4%, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In a large cohort of commercially insured patients, sleeve gastrectomy had a superior safety profile to gastric bypass up to 2 years from surgery, even when accounting for selection bias. However, the higher risk of revisions in sleeve gastrectomy merits further exploration.

BODY-Q patient-reported outcomes measure (PROM) to assess sleeve gastrectomy vs. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: eating behavior, eating-related distress, and eating-related symptoms

BACKGROUND

Post-operative changes in eating behavior, eating-related distress and eating-related symptoms play an important role in the lives of bariatric surgery patients. However, there are no studies that assess these outcomes using a specifically designed patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. We use our newly developed and validated scales as part of the well-established BODY-Q PROMs to compare laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients (LRYGB).

METHODS

We analyzed data from an international multi-center prospective cohort study of patients over 18 who underwent bariatric surgery. We used multivariable linear regression models to assess the difference between LRYGB and LSG for the new BODY-Q scales, which include eating behavior, eating-related distress and eating-related symptoms. All analyses were corrected for significant confounding variables.

RESULTS

Out of 1420 patients, 920 underwent LRYGB and 500 underwent LSG. The LRYGB group had a higher percentage total weight loss (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in eating behavior (e.g., stop eating before feeling full, avoiding unhealthy snacks, etc.) or eating-related distress (e.g., feeling ashamed or out of control after eating). Patients who underwent LSG scored significantly better on the post-prandial eating-related symptoms scale (e.g., vomiting, reflux; p < 0.001). Symptoms more prevalent in the LRYGB patients were related to dumping syndrome whereas symptoms more prevalent in LSG patients were related to reflux.

CONCLUSION

Patients who underwent LRYGB had a significantly better weight loss after surgery, but they scored worse on post-prandial symptoms in comparison to LSG patients. This information may be relevant for patients in the pre-operative counseling setting, as it may influence their decision for surgical procedure selection.

New Metrics to Assess Type 2 Diabetes After Bariatric Surgery: The "Time-Within-Remission Range"

Almost one third of patients do not achieve type 2 diabetes remission after bariatric surgery or are unable to sustain this effect long term. Our objective was to delve further into the dynamic responses of diabetes after bariatric surgery and to evaluate the “time-within-remission range” as a variable of metabolic control. A descriptive cohort study was done using a computerised multicentre and multidisciplinary registry. All data were adjusted by propensity score. A total of 1186 subjects with a follow-up of 4.5 ± 2.5 years were included. Type of surgery, diabetes remission, recurrence of diabetes, “time-within-remission range” and key predictors of diabetes outcomes were assessed. All patients (70% women, 51.4 ± 9.2 years old, body mass index (BMI) 46.3 ± 6.9 kg/m²) underwent primary bariatric procedures. “Time-within-remission range” were 83.3% (33.3–91.6) after gastric bypass, 68.7% (7.1–87.5) after sleeve gastrectomy and 90% (83.3–92.8) after malabsorptive techniques (p < 0.001 for all). Duration of diabetes, baseline HbA1c and insulin treatment were significantly negatively correlated with the “time-within-remission range”. The association of bariatric techniques with “time-within-remission range”, using gastric bypass as a reference, were: odds ratio (OR) 3.70 (2.34–5.84), p < 0.001 for malabsorptive techniques and OR 0.55 (0.40–0.75), p < 0.001 for sleeve gastrectomy. Characteristics of type 2 diabetes powerfully influence the outcomes of bariatric surgery. The “time-within-remission range” unveils a superiority of gastric bypass compared to sleeve gastrectomy.

Is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass advantageous?-surgical outcomes in obese patients with type-2 diabetes after gastric bypass versus sleeve gastrectomy, a matched retrospective study

Background

There are few comparative studies of the clinical outcomes after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). The aim of the study was to compare diabetes- and metabolic disorder-related outcomes following RYGB and SG, based on data for matched participants.

Methods

This was a retrospective matched study using data from 2011–2018. Patients with type-2 diabetes undergoing RYGB (n=35) were matched with up to 2 RYGB participants (n=56) regarding age, sex, body mass index, hemoglobin A1c level, medication use, diabetes duration, and blood pressure.

Results

All surgeries were performed laparoscopically without complications or malnutrition during 24 months of follow-up. Both surgical procedures achieved excellent diabetes remission and weight loss. RYGB was associated with a significantly higher diabetes medication discontinuation rate 24 months postoperatively (RYGB: 87.5% vs. SG: 68.6%; P<0.05), better reduction in serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-c levels, as well as better diabetes control compared with SG. The incidence of microvascular and macrovascular complications showed no significant difference between two groups.

Conclusions

In this matched retrospective study, although RYGB and SG were both excellent surgeries for treating obesity in patients with type-2 diabetes, RYGB was associated with better results compared with SG regarding dyslipidemia remission and metabolic disorder-related medication reduction.

Risk of Operative and Nonoperative Interventions Up to 4 Years After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass vs Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy in a Nationwide US Commercial Insurance Claims Database

IMPORTANCE

There are few nationwide studies comparing the risk of reintervention after contemporary bariatric procedures.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the risk of intervention after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) vs vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study used a nationwide US commercial insurance claims database. Adults aged 18 to 64 years who underwent a first RYGB or VSG procedure between January 1, 2010, and June 30, 2017, were matched on US region, year of surgery, most recent presurgery body mass index (BMI) category (based on diagnosis codes), and baseline type 2 diabetes. The prematch pool included 4496 patients undergoing RYGB and 8627 patients undergoing VSG, and the final weighted matched sample included 4476 patients undergoing RYGB and 8551 patients undergoing VSG.

EXPOSURES

Bariatric surgery procedure type (RYGB vs VSG).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was any abdominal operative intervention after the index procedure. Secondary outcomes included the following subtypes of operative intervention: biliary procedures, abdominal wall hernia repair, bariatric conversion or revision, and other abdominal operations. Nonoperative outcomes included endoscopy and enteral access. Time to first event was compared using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression modeling.

RESULTS

Among 13 027 patients, the mean (SD) age was 44.4 (10.3) years, and 74.1% were female; 13.7% had a preoperative BMI between 30 and 39.9, 45.8% had a preoperative BMI between 40 and 49.9, and 24.2% had a preoperative BMI of at least 50. Patients were followed up for up to 4 years after surgery (median, 1.6 years; interquartile range, 0.7-3.2 years), with 41.9% having at least 2 years of follow-up and 16.3% having at least 4 years of follow-up. Patients undergoing VSG were less likely to have any subsequent operative intervention than matched patients undergoing RYGB (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.80; 95% CI, 0.72-0.89) and similarly were less likely to undergo biliary procedures (aHR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90), abdominal wall hernia repair (aHR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.47-0.75), other abdominal operations (aHR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.61-0.82), and endoscopy (aHR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.49-0.59) or have enteral access placed (aHR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.39-0.86). Patients undergoing VSG were more likely to undergo bariatric conversion or revision (aHR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.19-2.80).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this nationwide study, patients undergoing VSG appeared to be less likely than matched patients undergoing RYGB to experience subsequent abdominal operative interventions, except for bariatric conversion or revision procedures. Patients considering bariatric surgery should be aware of the increased risk of subsequent procedures associated with RYGB vs VSG as part of shared decision-making around procedure choice.