Preoperative contributing factors and the remission of diabetes after metabolic surgery: the mediating role of preoperative triglyceride.

Background and objective: Limited understanding exists regarding the factors affecting the prognosis of surgical treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), particularly in Chinese patients. In this study, we examined a cohort of early and intermediate obese T2DM patients to explore the potential impact of preoperative lipid metabolism in metabolic surgery on the postoperative remission of T2DM.

Methods: Participants with T2DM and obesity underwent metabolic surgery. Clinical data, including baseline body mass index, percentage of excess weight loss, and preoperative biochemical indicators, were collected and analyzed. A multidisciplinary team conducted patient follow-up. Remission was defined as sub-diabetic hyperglycemia (HbA1c < 48 mmol/mol, fasting glucose 100-125 mg/dl) without pharmacological intervention for at least 12 months.

Results: Over a median follow-up of 27 months, 96 T2DM patients with metabolic surgery were studied, with no laparotomies required. Among these patients, 61 (63.5%) achieved complete remission, and 85 (88.5%) experienced remission. In multivariable analysis models, preoperative fasting blood glucose (FBG) significantly correlated with all postoperative outcomes. Furthermore, mediation analysis indicated that preoperative triglycerides (TG) mediated 26.31% of the association between preoperative FBG and postoperative remission. Both preoperative FBG and TG were negatively associated with the postoperative remission of T2DM.

Conclusion: In summary, our findings suggest that lower preoperative fasting glucose levels enhance the likelihood of postoperative T2DM remission. Moreover, preoperative TG could potentially play a mediating role in the postoperative remission of T2DM. Therefore, evaluating and managing fasting glucose and lipids before the procedure may aid in assessing the prognosis of metabolic surgery. Level of evidence Level III, designed cohort.