Effectiveness of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass vs Sleeve Gastrectomy on Lipid Levels in Type 2 Diabetes: a Meta-analysis

IntroductionObesity and its co-morbidities, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and dyslipidemia, are accompanied by excess cardiovascular morbi-mortality. Aside from excess low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD), mainly characterized by elevated triglycerides and decreased high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, is often present in T2DM obese patients. Bariatric surgery, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG), has become a reference treatment in that population. However, the respective effects of RYGB vs SG on lipid metabolism in T2DM patients have been rarely studied.MethodsA meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, comparing the effects of RGYBG vs SG on lipid metabolism 12 months after surgery in T2DM patients, was performed.Results Four studies including a total of 298 patients (151 patients in the RYGB and 147 patients in the SG group) were examined. Despite a greater decrease in body mass index and greater improvement in glycemic control in RYGB compared to SG. RYGB vs SG was more effective in reducing total cholesterol, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C levels (mean difference [MD] −26.10 mg/dL, 95 % CI −38.88 to −13.50, p<0.00001; [MD] −20.10 mg/dL, 95 % CI −27.90 to −12.20, p<0.00001 and MD 31.90 mg/dl, 95 % CI −46.90 to −16.80, p<0.00001, respectively).ConclusionsThe superiority of RYGB vs SG in reducing LDL-C, with an effect comparable to a moderate-intensity statin, suggests RYBG should be favored in hypercholesterolemic T2DM patients in order to further reduce cardiovascular risk.