Comparing effects of obesity treatment with very low energy diet and bariatric surgery after 2 years: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objectives To compare long-term effects and complications of medical treatment (MT) of obesity including very low energy diet with bariatric surgery. Design and setting This prospective study conducted in a clinical setting recruited individuals with body mass index (BMI) ≥35 kg/m 2 referred for obesity treatment. Demographic and anthropometric data, laboratory samples, and questionnaire replies were collected at baseline and 2 years. Participants and interventions 971 individuals were recruited 2015-2017. 382 received MT, 388 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and 201 sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Main outcome measures Primary outcomes included changes in anthropometric measures, metabolic variables and safety. These were analysed using a linear regression model. A logistic regression model was used to analyse composite variables for treatment success (secondary outcomes). A random forest (RF) model was used to examine the importance of 15 clinical domains as predictors for successful treatment. Results Two-year data were available for 667 individuals (68.7%). Regarding primary outcomes, the decrease in excess BMI was 27.5%, 82.5% and 70.3% and proportion achieving a weight of >10% was 45.3%, 99.6% and 95.6% for MT, RYGB and SG, respectively (p<0.001). The groups were comparable regarding levels of vitamins, minerals and haemoglobin or safety measures. Likelihood for success (secondary outcome) was higher in the surgical groups (RYGB: OR 5.3 (95% CI 3.9 to 7.2) vs SG: OR 4.3 ((95% CI 3.0 to 6.2)) in reference to MT. Baseline anthropometry had the strongest predictive value for treatment success, according to the RF model. Conclusions In clinical practice, bariatric surgery by RYGB or SG is most effective, but meaningful weight loss is achievable by MT with strict caloric restriction and stepwise introduction of a normal diet. All treatments showed positive effects on well-being, cardiovascular risk factors, and levels of vitamins and minerals at 2-year follow-up and groups were similar regarding safety measures. Trial registration number NCT03152617.