Bariatric Surgery Improves Glycemic Control

STUDY

Dixon JB, Obrien PE, Playfair J, Chapman L, Schachter LM, Skinner S, Proietto J, Bailey M, Anderson M: Adjustable gastric banding and conventional therapy for type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

SUMMARY

Design. A randomized controlled trial comparing a conventional lifestyle change intervention to conventional management plus laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for the outcomes of “diabetes regression,” defined as fasting glucose < 126 mg/dl and hemoglobin A1c (A1C) < 6.2% while using no glucose-controlling medications.

Subjects. Sixty patients with a BMI of 30-40 kg/m² and recently (within 2 years) diagnosed diabetes.

Methods. Eligible participants were 20-60 years of age, had type 2 diabetes diagnosed within 2 years, and had no evidence of impaired renal function or diabetic retinopathy. Potential participants completed a 3-month run-in period that included efforts to optimize their diabetes treatment. Those completing the run-in period were randomized, and no attempt was made to blind patients or providers to their intervention status. Those assigned to …