Recent research conducted by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has unveiled that bariatric surgery is significantly more effective in achieving long-term control and remission of Type 2 diabetes compared to medical and lifestyle interventions. Published in JAMA, the study also highlights the positive impact of bariatric surgery on cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are crucial risk factors for heart disease.
This extensive randomized follow-up study, renowned as the largest and longest of its kind, observed the favorable effects of bariatric surgery on diabetes and cholesterol management. Lead author Anita Courcoulas, M.D., M.P.H., of Pitt’s Department of Surgery, asserts that the analysis provides compelling evidence that bariatric surgery is a safe and effective approach for achieving diabetes control and remission.
The study compared outcomes such as blood sugar control, weight loss, and medication usage among patients who underwent bariatric surgery and those who participated in medical and lifestyle interventions. The results demonstrate that patients in the bariatric surgery group consistently displayed lower HbA1c levels, reflecting better blood sugar control, and significantly higher rates of diabetes remission in comparison to the medical/lifestyle group. These positive outcomes were observed regardless of the patients’ weight class, indicating that bariatric surgery is equally beneficial for patients with different body mass indexes.
While the primary focus of the study was to evaluate diabetes control and remission rates, researchers also observed that bariatric surgery led to sustained weight loss in participants. By year 12, patients who underwent surgery had maintained an average weight loss of 19.3%, compared to 10.8% for those in the medical and lifestyle intervention group.
It is important to acknowledge that the study did not find significant disparities in mortality or major cardiovascular events between the two groups. Nevertheless, participants who underwent bariatric surgery were more prone to experiencing side effects such as anemia, fractures, and gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and abdominal pain.
This groundbreaking analysis was based on data from randomized clinical trials conducted at various esteemed institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh, Cleveland Clinic, Joslin Diabetes Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the University of Washington. The trials, comprising 355 patients with Type 2 diabetes, were conducted before certain medications were widely available for diabetes management and weight loss.
The researchers are strongly advocating for healthcare providers to consider bariatric surgery as a viable treatment option for individuals with inadequately controlled diabetes, regardless of their BMI. By delivering patient-centered care tailored to individual health concerns and objectives, medical professionals can contribute to the improvement of diabetes and cholesterol management.
Supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, this research sheds light on the substantial benefits of bariatric surgery for diabetes control and remission, further advocating for a flexible and personalised approach to healthcare.
+ There are no comments
Add yours