Obesity and diabetes are closely linked diseases that have both been shown to improve following weight loss surgery. Yet, to date, weight loss surgery is performed only as a treatment for severe obesity. Many scientific and medical experts, however, are recommending that weight loss surgery be studied as a primary treatment for diabetes as well.
To explore this course, a clinical trial has been initiated that will compare the effectiveness of weight loss surgery versus lifestyle intervention as a specific diabetes treatment in moderately obese patients. The research study is being sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
Diabetes is a serious medical condition that affects over 20 million children and adults in the United States. Some of the serious side effects of the disease include heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, kidney failure, blindness, amputations, nerve damage, sexual dysfunction, or pregnancy complications. It is also the 6th leading cause of mortality in the United States.
Traditional treatments for diabetes have focused on making modifications to diet and physical activity, with or without insulin or other diabetes medications. These approaches may help manage the disease, but usually do not result in complete resolution of diabetes or prevent the possibility of long-term complications.
The aim of the study is to obtain preliminary information on the effectiveness of surgical intervention versus behavioral intervention to induce weight loss and promote improvements in diabetes. Although weight loss surgery has been shown to induce long-term remission of type 2 diabetes, researchers do not know for certain whether this is due to the type of surgery or the amount of weight loss. It is also not clear whether weight loss surgery is more effective then non-surgical weight loss resulting from diet and exercise in diabetic patients with moderate obesity (BMI 30 to 40, or approximately 65 to 95 pounds overweight).
The three interventions included in the study are:
- Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery
- Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding
- Lifestyle Weight Loss Intervention (Diet and Exercise)
The clinical trial, which is titled “The TRIABETES Study: A Trial to Compare Surgical and Medical Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes,” is currently recruiting participants.
