ABCD score of > 6 predicts diabetes remission following bariatric surgery

Introduction Bariatric surgery is recommended as a treatment option in individuals with T2DM and BMI > 35 kg/m(2). However, remission of diabetes following bariatric surgery has varied from 24-73% in various studies. A number of scoring systems have been proposed to predict remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus following bariatric surgery. Out of these ABCD score has shown the most promise. The aims of this study were to analyze the effects of bariatric surgery on T2DM patients and to evaluate the possibility of using ABCD score to help with the patient selection. Material and methods Between 1 January 2016 and 1 December 2017, patients undergoing bariatric surgery for obesity with T2DM were recruited from DMCH Ludhiana and followed up at 3 months and 6 months after surgery for control/remission of diabetes. Results At 6 months, the mean % EWL was 62.74. Significant improvements were noted in FBS (193.05 to 107.97), in HbA1C (8.22 to 6.17), dose of OHAs (1.97 to none), and insulin (32.86 to 5.66). Patients who attained remission were younger, with shorter duration of diabetes and higher C-peptide levels. The preoperative BMI or the % EWL were not predictive of diabetes remission. Higher ABCD scores were significantly associated with higher rates of diabetes remission. Conclusion Bariatric surgery leads to substantial weight loss and amelioration of type 2 diabetes. An ABCD score of > 6 predicts diabetes remission following bariatric surgery, and is recommended as an aid for patient selection and counseling.