Bariatric surgery outcomes: a single-center study in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Background

Bariatric surgery has become an attractive treatment for severe obesity over the last decade, due to its impacts on weight loss and remission of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. In the United Arab Emirates, a country where the rate of obesity is dramatically increasing bariatric surgery has gained popularity in recent years; however, published data on its outcomes in the Emirati population are lacking.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 95 patients who underwent bariatric surgery (ie, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [RYGB] or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy) at the Rashid Center for Diabetes and Research in Ajman, United Arab Emirates. Weight outcomes and metabolic marker data were abstracted at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Results

Laparoscopic RYGB was the main procedure performed by our bariatric unit. All variables demonstrated postoperative improvement. An average excess weight loss of 68% was observed at 12 months. Fat mass was the body component that decreased the most, with an average reduction of 46%. Additionally, lipid profiles were significantly different (P<0.01) at 12 months, with triglyceride levels improving by 27% and low-density lipoprotein levels improving by 21%. Similarly, glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) levels decreased significantly (P<0.001) in patients with type 2 diabetes, with an average reduction of 73%.

Conclusion

Our results show that a substantial short-term reduction in weight and significant improvements in metabolic markers followed bariatric surgery in severely obese Emirati patients. Our results are consistent with the outcomes of other internationally published studies. Additional studies are warranted to determine whether the favorable impacts of bariatric surgery can be sustained over the long term.

Keywords:

• laparoscopic RYGB
• laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
• lipid profile
• type 2 diabetes

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the adjacent Sheikh Khalifa Hospital for their collaboration in performing the surgeries. They also thank the Global Health Partner Diabetes Center UAE for their support in establishing the bariatric clinic.

Author contributions

Salah Abusnana, Sarah Abdi, and Almantas Maleckas participated in the design of the study. Salah Abusnana, Sarah Abdi, Brigette Tagure, Murtada Elbagir, and Almantas Maleckas collected the data. Salah Abusnana and Sarah Abdi analyzed the data. Salah Abusnana and Sarah Abdi wrote the paper. Salah Abusnana and Almantas Maleckas had the primary responsibility for the final outcome and provided overall supervision. All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in either drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.