Which criteria should be used to define type 2 diabetes remission after bariatric surgery?

Abstract

Abstract Background Comparison of diabetes remission rates after bariatric surgery using two different models of criteria. Methods Retrospective analysis of data from 110 patients with type 2 diabetes and morbid obesity who underwent bariatric surgery, preoperatively and at 18-month follow-up. Comparison of two models of remission: 1) 2009 consensus statement criteria; 2) simple criteria using ADA’s HbA1c diabetes diagnostic cut-off values. Results Patients’ mean ± SD preoperative characteristics were: age 53.3 ± 9.5 years, BMI 43.6 ± 5.5 kg/m2, HbA1c 7.9 ± 1.8%, duration of diabetes 7.6 ± 7.5 years. 44.5% of patients with previous insulin therapy. With 2009 consensus statement criteria: complete, partial and no remission in 50%, 12.7% and 37.3%, respectively; with HbA1c criteria: 50%, 15% and 34.5% in the analogous categories (p = 0.673). Conclusions We suggest a simpler approach to evaluate diabetes remission after bariatric surgery, following the rationale of the definition of diabetes itself.