Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes Brings Positive Outcomes Says Study by Joslin Diabetes Center

Over the last 30 years, number of obese adolescents suffering from type 2 diabetes has dramatically increased globally as well as in India- which has earned a sordid reputation as Diabetes Capital of the World.

Half of this cohort who are severely obese end up needing insulin injections within a year of diagnosis, says Dr Lori Laffel, MD, MPH, Chief Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Section at Joslin Diabetes Center who is a coauthor of the study published in March 2018 issue of Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA).

This study shows how Bariatric surgery could be a potential option for very obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes in lowering blood glucose levels, improving weight loss and returning cholesterol and blood pressure levels to normal.

The study compared 30 severly obese teenagers treated with type 2 diabetes medication with 63 teenagers who underwent Bariatric Surgery.

In those who underwent surgery, HBAIc dropped from 6.8 to 5.5 in two years. Whereas in those who received only medication, HBA1c increased from 6.4 to 7.8 in the same period of two years.

In addition, those who underwent surgery weighed 30% less in two years and those who were only on medication weighed 3.7% more.

Also significant improvement in blood pressure, cholesterol levels and kidney function is seen in surgically treated teenagers in this study group but not in those treated with medication.

If you have any questions on this study or type 2 diabetes problem with an adolescent at home, please feel free to schedule a telephonic consultation with us. Text us on +91 98210 32169 for 15 minutes of free telephonic appointment with Dr Abhay Agrawal.

Source: http://www.joslin.org/news/Obesity-Surgery-Linked-To-Positive-Outcomes-In-Very-Obese-Teens-With-Diabetes.html