Bariatric Surgery and Type 2 Diabetes Remission Rates: a Retrospective Cohort Study Comparing Military Veterans and Beneficiaries.

PURPOSE

The disease burden of type 2 diabetes (T2D) costs the military healthcare system an estimated $1.66 billion annually. Thirty-four percent of veterans and 28% of military beneficiaries are obese, a common feature of T2D. Bariatric surgery is a viable treatment for T2D, whether if long-term remission of T2D post-bariatric surgery occurs remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess differences between outcomes of veterans and military beneficiaries following bariatric surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study assessed retirees and beneficiaries diagnosed with T2D who had bariatric surgery between 2005 and 2015. Outcomes included T2D remission and vitamin and mineral deficiencies each year for 5 years post-op, analyzed via ANOVA.

RESULTS

Ninety-one patients, 46 beneficiaries and 45 retirees, were included with a mean age of 51 and 57, respectively. No significant differences between T2D remission and vitamin/mineral deficiencies 5 years post-op were found between groups. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes before surgery were less likely to achieve T2D remission for all 5 years post-op, regardless of military affiliation (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Veterans do not have better rates of T2D remission or weight loss following bariatric surgery than other populations. Control of T2D pre-surgery is a potential clinical indicator of T2D remission success following bariatric surgery.