Abstract 14888: Lipid Changes 8 Years Post Gastric Bypass in Adolescents With Severe Obesity

Introduction: Severe obesity in adolescents is increasing and few effective treatments exist. Weight loss surgery is one option, but the extent to which surgery influences cardiovascular risk factors such as lipids in youth is not clear. We studied the impact of weight loss surgery in adolescents with severe obesity on lipid parameters in the Follow-up of Adolescent Bariatric Surgery-5+ (FABS-5+) study >5 years postoperatively. Hypothesis: We predicted weight loss surgery would be associated with a greater improvement in lipids compared to no surgery. Methods: Adolescents and young adults who either underwent laparoscopic Roux-en Y gastric bypass (RYGB; “Surgical”) or who were seeking weight loss treatment (“Non-Surgical”) in 2001-2007 were recruited for the FABS-5+ follow-up study between 2011-2013. Baseline (pre-treatment) BMI and fasting lipids and TG/HDL-C ratio (representing small dense LDL particles) were abstracted from charts. Follow-up data were obtained at a research visit. Changes in BMI and lipids were evaluated using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Results: At baseline, surgical participants (n=58; 80% of all RYGB cases performed in 2001-2007) were a mean±SD age of 17±2 years and 25±2 at follow-up. 86% were Caucasian and 64% were female. After RYGB, BMI was 29% lower than baseline (p<0.01). All lipids (except total cholesterol) significantly improved with the largest changes in HDL-C and TG/HDL-C ratio. In the non-surgical comparison group (n=30) from baseline to follow up (ages 15±2 and 22±2 years, respectively), BMI increased by 8% but lipid parameters were similar (Table). Conclusions: This is the longest term and most complete follow-up of youth following RYGB. Weight loss was durably maintained and significant improvements in lipid profile were observed. Whether these lipid improvements translate into reductions in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events overtime remains to be determined.