Bariatric surgery and weight loss halt progression of CKD, finds study

Obesity affects 93.3 million adults in the United States. Bariatric surgery has been associated with a 58% reduction in the risk of proteinuria and albuminuria with improvements in diabetes and hypertension which are risk factors for the development of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

A new study by Oaklee L Abernathy, and team from Internal Medicine, Kansas University School of Medicine has found that bariatic surgery and weight loss improved renal functioning and reduced progression of CKD.

The study has been published in Cureus journal.

The objective of the study was to examine the association between weight loss and renal function in participants undergoing bariatric surgery following a 12-week multidisciplinary, community-based weight loss program.

The study was a retrospective chart review of participants who voluntarily enrolled in a 12-week multidisciplinary weight loss program prior to bariatric surgery from 2009 to 2018. The primary outcome was to assess the association between weight loss and renal function in participants undergoing bariatric surgery. Secondary outcomes included changes in hemoglobin A1c, lipids, fasting glucose, and blood pressure.

The results of the study were found to be

• Out of 55 participants, baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 49 mL/min/m2, 80% were female, and the average baseline weight was 131 kg.

• At one-year post-intervention, 69% of patients improved in the CKD stage, with 45% of the participants improving from stage 3A to stage 2.

• GFR was seen to be improved to 15 mL/min/1.73m2 (p = 0.025), and there was a negative correlation (rs = -0.3556) between weight and GFR (p = 0.013).

• Participants with hyperlipidemia had a 12 mL/min/1.73m2 rise in GFR, while participants without the diagnosis at one year had a 24 mL/min/1.73m2 rise in GFR (p = 0.007).

Abernathy, and team concluded that "This study demonstrated improved renal function and reduced progression of CKD following a combined lifestyle and surgical intervention, indicating the importance of a comprehensive approach for the management of the chronic disease."

For further information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8475746/