Effects of bariatric surgery in Chinese with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus A 3-year follow-up

The incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus is growing, and bariatric surgery was applied as a new therapy in the past few decades. However, bariatric surgery started rather late in China, and the number of surgeries and the follow-up data is limited. We assessed body weight, glucose, lipid levels, and blood pressure at baseline and 6-month, 1-year, 3-year in patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Vitamins and trace elements were investigated at 3-year after surgery. The quality of life was assessed at 3-year and compared with the control group. In total 20 patients were recruited in the study, and all the 20 patients underwent surgery and completed all follow-ups. Results showed that the body weight, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), glucose, and insulin level were decreased, and islet function improved significantly in 6-month and 1-year (P < .001), and the changes were more obvious in the first 6 months. However, all the indexes rebound significantly at the 3-year (P < .05), but still better than baseline (P < .05). Weight regain was 50% after 3 years, and the mean weight regain rate was 31.45%. Besides, blood pressure and lipid levels decreased significantly compared with baseline (P < .001). At the 3-year follow-up, we found that 100% of the patients showed vitamin D deficiency, 50% calcium deficiency, 20% vitamin B12 deficiency, 20% iron deficiency, and 15% suffered from anemia. Compared with the control group, the quality of life was better in patients who underwent surgery, especially in the physical health (P < .05). The current study showed that the body weight, glucose and islet function improved significantly after bariatric surgery, and the indexes changed mainly in the first 6 months, but there seemed to be a rebound after 3 years. Furthermore, the surgery may improve the blood pressure, lipid profile, and the quality of life. However, some patients may suffer anemia, calcium deficiency, iron deficiency, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 deficiency after 3 years.