Bariatric Surgery Offers Varied Benefits for Individuals at High Risk of Developing Diabetes
Over 2.5 billion adults worldwide struggle with overweight and obesity, many of whom face increased risks of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and related health complications. Bariatric surgery has proven to be an effective intervention for substantial weight loss and reducing the chance of comorbidities. However, predicting the specific benefits for individuals without T2D has been challenging.
Recent research conducted by teams from Germany, France, and Italy has shed light on how different metabolic profiles, or subtypes, of at-risk individuals respond to bariatric surgery. The study analyzed two cohorts of patients undergoing surgical procedures and a control group engaged in lifestyle changes, with key assessments including glucose regulation, prediabetes remission, liver fat content, insulin resistance, and beta cell function.
Participants were first classified into various risk subtypes before surgery. Those with subtypes 3, 5, and 6 have been identified as having the highest risk of progressing to T2D or developing related complications. Conversely, subtype 4 includes individuals with obesity but a lower risk, while subtypes 1, 2, and 3 typically involve less excess weight and lower diabetes risk.
The findings revealed that individuals belonging to the high-risk subtypes 5 and 6 benefited significantly from bariatric surgery, showing notable improvements in beta cell function, insulin sensitivity, and glucose regulation. Many in these groups experienced normalization of blood sugar levels (prediabetes remission) and reduction in liver fat. Additionally, most transitioned from high to low-risk categories post-surgery. In contrast, those in low-risk subtype 4 saw less benefit in blood sugar regulation despite similar weight loss, indicating the importance of metabolic profiling.
Professor Reiner Jumpertz von Schwartzenberg emphasized that these results underscore the importance of preoperative classification for personalized treatment strategies. Identifying which subtypes will benefit most can refine patient selection for bariatric procedures, advancing a more precise approach to obesity management.
This research advances our understanding of how metabolic diversity influences surgical outcomes and supports the development of customized interventions for individuals at risk of T2D.
Stay Updated with Mia's Feed
Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Related Articles
Cook County, Illinois Reports Second Measles Case in Suburban Area This Year
Cook County, Illinois, confirms the second measles case in suburban areas this year, highlighting the importance of vaccination to prevent outbreaks. The recent case involves a 4-year-old unvaccinated child believed to have contracted the virus during international travel.
A Food Additive Unlocks New Solutions for Scaling Brain Organoid Research
Stanford researchers discover that xanthan gum, a common food additive, prevents neural organoids from sticking together, enabling large-scale brain tissue studies and drug testing.
Unraveling Unconsciousness: How Different Anesthetics Alter Brainwave Phase Similar Outcomes
New research reveals that different anesthetic drugs induce unconsciousness by causing similar shifts in brainwave phase, offering a potential universal marker for anesthesia monitoring and consciousness studies.
Innovative RNA-Based Approach Targets CNNM4 Protein to Combat Rare and Aggressive Liver Cancer
A novel RNA-based therapy targeting CNNM4 protein shows promise in slowing the progression of aggressive liver cancer, opening new avenues for personalized treatment.