Relapse of Diabetes After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Patients With Obesity: 12 Years Follow-up Study

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a recommended treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients with obesity, with superiority over medical therapy. While diabetes remission is achieved initially in 60-90% of patients following surgery, many may experience relapse of diabetes on the long-term. Data on long-term follow-up of bariatric surgery is scarce. We report this 12-year follow-up study of glycaemic control following RYGB.

Methods: Two hundred seventeen patients with obesity (109 diabetic, 108 matched nondiabetic) who underwent RYGB between 2000 and 2008 were identified. Data was recorded prospectively for these patients at baseline and 2 years postoperatively. The long-term data was obtained via direct contact with the patients cross-checked with our hospital/national patients' electronic databases.

Results: The follow-up rate was 88% (initial age 44 ± 9 years, female 79%). The mean (± SD) percentage total weight loss was 28% (± 15%) and 27% (± 17%) at 2 years and 12 years, respectively. Diabetes remission rate was 69% at 2 years, but decreased to 36% at 12 years following surgery. The 12-year incidence of new-onset T2DM in the control group was 4.3%. On univariate analysis, age, preoperative duration of diabetes and use of insulin were associated with less chance of diabetes remission at long-term (p value 0.06, 0.01 and 0.03, respectively). However, on multivariate regression analysis, only the duration of diabetes preoperatively remained significant (p = 0.025).

Conclusion: This study shows a high relapse of diabetes 12-year post-RYGB despite the durability of weight loss. This affects preoperative counselling and indicates a need for a longer follow-up to detect relapse.