Effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on carotid intima-media thickness in Chinese obese patients with type 2 diabetes

Background: The effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) in obese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) has not been well studied.

Objective: To investigate the effect of RYGB on C-IMT and the relationship between C-IMT and some cardiovascular risk factors 12 months after surgery on Chinese obese patients with T2D.

Setting: University hospital, China.

Methods: Thirty-three consecutive obese patients with T2D and 18 healthy volunteers matched in age and sex were enrolled in this retrospective study. The anthropometric data, metabolism variables, and C-IMT were recorded before and 12 months after RYGB.

Results: The patient group had significantly higher C-IMT than the control group before surgery (589.5±96.9 μm versus 457.9±48.6 μm, respectively; P<.01). C-IMT had significant positive relationships with age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, visceral fat area (VFA), and serum leptin (r = .56, .44, .38, .42, and .38, respectively; P<.01). Twelve months after RYGB, the anthropometric data, metabolism variables, and C-IMT had improved significantly. The change in C-IMT was positively correlated with changes in VFA and leptin level (r = .39 and .36, respectively; P<.01).

Conclusion: RYGB surgery seems to be effective on C-IMT for obese patients with T2D in China. VFA and leptin level are related to improvement of C-IMT.