[Insufficient loss of weight and/or absence of DM2 remission after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: factors that may influence the unsatisfactory results].

BACKGROUND Roux-en-Y gastric by-pass is considered one of the most effective treatments for maintaining long-term weight loss. However, it is associated to failures manifested by the inability to maintain weight loss, weight gain or poor glycemic control. OBJECTIVE Study the possible factors that influence weight loss failure and/or DM2 remission. METHODS Case-control study of 159 patients submitted to gastric by-pass two or more years postoperatively. Twenty-four individuals with unsatisfactory weight loss and/or DM2 remission were selected as cases and 24 with satisfactory weight loss and/or absence of DM2 remission as controls, matched for age and postoperative time. RESULTS Of the 24 cases and controls evaluated, the percentage weight gain was 19.32% and 8.68%, percentage DM2 remission 26.6% and 87.5% and percentage DM2 recurrence 6.6% and 0.0%, respectively. Cases and controls exhibited mean maximum preoperative BMI of 53.50±12.24 kg/m2 and 48.77±5.19 kg/m2, respectively. These values were statistically significant in terms of poor weight management or failed surgery. CONCLUSION Patients with elevated initial maximum BMI (≥ 50kg/m2) displayed higher weight loss failure rates. Food intolerance and socioeconomic differences are considered factors in weight gain.