Abstract
Background: Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) is an approved procedure for weight reduction in obese
patients. This outcome of weight loss is essential to achieve optimal control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of LSG on glycemic control among a sample of obese patients in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia, through assessment of reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) associated with weight loss following LSG.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we studied 102 patients with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m
2
and aged ≥18 years who underwent LSG between January 2017 and December 2019. Patient age, characteristics, preoperative and postoperative records of BMI and HbA1c were collected. The data of BMI and HbA1c were analyzed based on baseline and mean postoperative readings with variable postoperative visits after LSG.
Results: There was a 30% reduction in BMI and a 26.4% reduction in HbA1c following LSG from baseline in all patients. We noted 44 patients achieved BMI <40kg/m
2
with HbA1c <6.5% and 32 patients achieved BMI <40kg/m
2
with HbA1c <5.7% within a mean follow-up time of 10 months.
Conclusions: Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) has a positive effect on glycemic control in obese patients in short term, evidenced by the significant reduction of weight and HbA1c. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to assess the long-term impact of LSG glycemic control and the related factors associated with maintaining weight reduction and optimal glycemic control in Saudi Arabia for patients with obesity.