Weight loss and co-morbidity resolution between different races and ethnicities after gastric bypass

Background: Several studies have demonstrated that minorities and Hispanic ethnicities have disproportionally greater burden of morbid obesity in the United States. However, the majority of bariatric procedures are performed in the non-Hispanic white population. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the weight loss and remission of obesity-related co-morbidities based on race and ethnicity. Setting: The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery prospective, multicenter, observational study was used to collect patients from 10 different health centers across the United States. Methods: Retrospective analysis of a prospective, multicenter, observational study over a 5-year follow-up. Results: All patients who underwent primary gastric bypass and provided racial/ethnic information were included in the study (n = 1695). Regardless of race or ethnicity, total weight loss was maintained over a 5-year follow-up, which included 87% of the original cohort. However, whites had on average 1.94% higher adjusted total weight loss compared with blacks (P < .0001). After adjusting for confounders there were no significant differences in resolution of co-morbidities, including diabetes. Conclusion: All patients regardless of race or ethnicity have significant and sustained total weight loss and resolution of co-morbidities after gastric bypass at 5-year follow-up.