Bariatric surgery in Bahrain helped more than 70 per cent of patients with type 2 diabetes achieve remission, according to a new study of more than 1,200 cases.
The ‘Diabetes Remission and Weight Loss Outcomes Following Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study from Bahrain’ research analysis was conducted on 1,291 cases at King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH) by a group of international researchers.
“Obesity is a significant public health challenge in Bahrain,” researchers noted in the abstract of the study.
“It is a well-established risk factor for a spectrum of metabolic disorders, including Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension and dyslipidemia.
“These conditions contribute to increased morbidity and mortality, as well as substantial healthcare burdens.
“This retrospective cohort study evaluates metabolic outcomes following bariatric surgery in 1,291 Bahraini patients from 2016 to 2023.”
The study was conducted by Najla Shamsi, Dr Heba Mohamed Jasim Hamada, Alexa Lulu Mcguinness, Aseel Abdulmenem Abualsel, Gana Ahmed Sharafeldin, Kawthar Ali Alasmawi, Zahra Mahdi, Khawla Ali and Rawa Alsayegh, Raja Eid and Dr John Flood from Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) – Bahrain, alongside Dr Shatha Fuad Mohamed from the UK-based University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and Abdulmenem Abualsel from KHUH.
Researchers found that bariatric surgery, particularly sleeve gastrectomy, is an effective intervention for weight reduction and metabolic improvement in the Bahraini population.
Sleeve gastrectomy is a weight loss surgery that involves removing about 80 per cent of the stomach, leaving a tube-shaped stomach about the size and shape of a banana.
While touted as less invasive than gastric bypass, the surgery is irreversible and carries potential risks, including chronic reflux, vitamin deficiencies, and possible weight regain over time.
Researchers found that the high rate of diabetes remission was most prevalent among younger patients, those with higher preoperative C-peptide levels, and those not requiring insulin therapy.
C-peptide (connecting peptide) is a reliable marker for measuring how much natural endogenous insulin the body is producing.
“These predictors should inform patient selection and individualised care strategies to enhance surgical success,” researchers noted.
“Despite comparable diabetes remission rates between sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy’s procedural simplicity and lower complication risk may provide a clinically advantageous risk-benefit profile.”
However, the researchers also emphasised the need for individualised, long-term follow-up strategies and an effective nutrition plan to monitor for relapse and provide early intervention when needed.
Previous studies at KHUH had indicated higher rates of nutritional deficiencies, however recent enhancements in nutritional protocols through consistent supplementation and structured follow-up have had a positive impact, and only 3.4pc of surveyed patients needed revision surgeries.
“The significant improvements observed in vitamin B12, vitamin D, and iron-related markers highlight the role of comprehensive nutritional support in maintaining long-term health benefits following surgery,” they added.
“These findings reinforce the value of bariatric surgery as a metabolic intervention and underscore the importance of sustained, multidisciplinary follow-up to support durable outcomes.”
To support long-term metabolic health after surgery, researchers called for the establishment of a structured follow-up system, including regular appointments, integration of dedicated bariatric clinics within primary care services, and the use of electronic health records to streamline monitoring and enhance continuity of care.
They also noted that telemedicine and remote health platforms can further improve access, particularly for patients with mobility or geographic barriers.
The research team also urged hospitals and government health centres to implement coordinated care pathways, linking primary care, surgical teams, and allied health professionals, along with feedback systems to monitor outcomes.
“These strategies are critical for sustaining the benefits of bariatric surgery and minimising risks of relapse or nutritional complications,” they noted.
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