Diabetes Remission After Bariatric Surgery: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study

Introduction: Treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in patients with obesity can be challenging. Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) has shown promising results in improving glycemic control and even achieving remission in T2DM patients with obesity. However, the durability of glycemic improvements in T2DM patients following MBS remains insufficiently studied.

Aim: Determine the incidence of durable remission and relapse of T2DM rates 10 years after MBS, characterize the glycemic profile after surgery, and identify factors predicting persistent remission of T2DM.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of T2DM patients undergoing MBS between 2010 and 2013. Clinical and analytical assessments were performed preoperatively, at 2- and at 10-years postoperatively. Paired t-tests, Wilcoxon-signed-rank and McNemar tests were used to assess the differences in the metabolic status during the follow-up. Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of T2DM remission.

Results: Ninety-five patients were included (mean age 48.8 ± 9.1 years, mean HbA1c 7.0 ± 1.5%). Ten years after surgery, the rate of complete T2DM remission was 31%, partial remission was 15%, and late recurrence after initial remission was 24%. Patients with lower HbA1c (OR = 0.50; p = 0.05) and taking fewer antidiabetic drugs (OR = 0.31; p = 0.01) preoperatively were more likely to maintain long-term remission. Ten years post-MBS, patients maintained lower fasting plasma glucose (p < 0.001), HbA1c (p < 0.001), number of antidiabetic drugs (p < 0.001), and insulin use (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: MBS can induce a significant improvement and sustainable remission of T2DM. Early intervention, while patients still have a good glycemic control with a lower number of anti-diabetic drugs, is crucial to achieve long-lasting benefits and a potential "surgical cure" for T2DM.