Clinical factors associated with weight loss outcomes after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery

OBJECTIVE: Gastric bypass surgery is an effective therapy for extreme obesity. However, substantial variability in weight loss outcomes exists that remains largely unexplained. Our objective was to determine whether any commonly collected pre-operative clinical variables were associated with weight loss following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. DESIGN: The analysis was based on a prospectively recruited observational cohort of 2365 patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery from 2004-2009. Weight loss was stratified into three major phases, early (0-6 months), nadir, and long-term (>36 months). Multivariate regression models were constructed using a database of over 350 variables. RESULTS: A total of 12-14 pre-operative variables were independently associated (p<0.05) with each of the temporal weight loss phases. Pre-operative variables associated with poorer nadir and long-term weight loss included: higher baseline BMI, higher pre-operative weight loss, iron deficiency, use of any diabetes medication, non-use of bupropion medication, no history of smoking, aged >50 years, and the presence of fibrosis on liver biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Several variables previously associated with poorer weight loss after RYGB surgery including age, baseline BMI, and type 2 diabetes were replicated. Several others suggest possible clinical interventions for post-operative management of RYGB patients to improve weight loss outcomes.