Clinical efficacy of bariatric surgery versus liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes and severe obesity: a 12-month retrospective evaluation

Aims To evaluate the clinical efficacy of bariatric surgery vs medical therapy with liraglutide on weight loss, glycemic control and cardiovascular risk profile in patients with type 2 diabetes and severe obesity. Methods A retrospective evaluation was conducted in 31 patients with type 2 diabetes and severe obesity who had undergone bariatric surgery and in 31 patients with type 2 diabetes and comparable body weight who had added liraglutide to their background medical treatment in the period 2009–2013. Anthropometric parameters, glycemic control, treatment of diabetes and other comorbidities, safety and side effects before and 12 months after treatment were assessed. Results Age was 47 ± 8 years (mean ± SD) in bariatric surgery and 56 ± 9 years in medical treatment group ( p