Current status of metabolic surgery in patients with type I diabetes mellitus and obesity: a nationwide multicenter study

Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2023 Jan 20;408(1):46. doi: 10.1007/s00423-023-02788-6.

Abstract

Purpose: While obesity is prevalent among patients with type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM), the effects of metabolic surgery on patients with T1DM have not been adequately investigated. The study aims to investigate the perioperative outcomes and the improvement of comorbidity 1 year following metabolic surgery amongst this patient population.

Methods: In this study, we evaluated the effects of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on patients with T1DM and insulin resistance.

Results: One hundred forty-nine patients (SG n = 91 and RYGB n = 58) with obesity, T1DM, and insulin resistance were analyzed. There was no significant difference in BMI reduction and %EWL 1 year after surgery between the two groups. In the SG group, BMI reduction was 6.5 kg/m2 versus 5.9 kg/m2 in the RYGB group (p=0.406). The %EWL was 68.2 ± 25.2 in the RYGB group and 64.3 ± 21.5 in SG (p=0.332). There was also no significant difference in weight loss between the two groups (14.9 ± 5.4 kg in SG vs. 14.2 ± 7 kg in RYGB; p=0.548). In all patients, insulin requirements decreased after surgery, and in 22% of patients, insulin requirements were equivalent to those of normal-weight individuals. There was a significantly higher rate of remission of reflux in RYGB patients than in SG patients (94·44% vs 29·41; p<0.001).

Conclusion: Patients with obesity and T1DM may benefit from metabolic surgery. Both methods produce satisfactory results in this group of patients regarding daily insulin requirements and treatment of obesity-related diseases. However, the decision of which procedure should be carried out still depends on the patient's general condition and the surgeon's technical ability.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Diabetes mellitus type I; Gastric bypass; Obesity; Sleeve gastrectomy.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Bariatric Surgery*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / surgery
  • Gastrectomy / adverse effects
  • Gastric Bypass* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / surgery
  • Obesity, Morbid* / complications
  • Obesity, Morbid* / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Insulin