Comparative Effectiveness of Roux-en Y Gastric Bypass Versus Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy for Sustained Remission of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery results in rapid weight loss and resolution of comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to determine whether the type of surgical procedure-vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB)-was associated with sustained remission from T2DM, and to identify other independent predictors of sustained remission.

METHODS

Using the IBM MarketScan database of privately insured patients in the United States, we performed a retrospective cohort study on individuals aged 18-65 y with T2DM on hypoglycemic medication, who underwent either VSG or RYGB from 2010 to 2016. Remission was defined as no refill of antidiabetic medication 180 d after a patient's medication was expected to run out and recurrence as medication refill after at least 180 d of remission.

RESULTS

Of 5119 patients in our cohort, 4127 (81%) experienced remission of T2DM, and 816 (19.8%) of the 4127 patients experienced recurrence. Patients who underwent RYGB had a 24% (HR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.32) increased probability of achieving remission compared with VSG. RYGB had a 36% (HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.55, 0.74) decreased risk of recurrence compared with VSG. A higher number of diabetic medications at the time of surgery and a higher Charlson index score were associated with decreased probability of remission and an increased risk of recurrence of T2DM.

CONCLUSIONS

While both procedures are initially effective, RYGB may be better than VSG at providing lasting remission of T2DM.