Baseline circulating ghrelin does not predict weight regain neither maintenance of weight loss after gastric bypass at long term

Abstract Background Predictors of weight loss (WL) or weight regain (WR) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) are not established. The aim of this study was to analyze the usefulness of some baseline peptides (leptin, insulin, and ghrelin) as biomarkers of WL and WR in morbid obese patients after RYGBP at long term. Methods Seventy-six morbid obese (47 women, age 41.6 ± 9.6 years, body mass index [BMI] 52.1 ± 8 kg/m2 ) patients were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 2, and 6 years after surgery. Results Excess body weight loss after 6 years was of 63.9%. Age, BMI, and studied hormones at baseline or their changes over time did not predict long-term excess body weight loss. WR greater than 10% was observed in 36.8% of patients between 2 and 6 years of follow-up, but it was not correlated with BMI, age, or baseline peptide concentrations. Conclusion Measurement of ghrelin, insulin, and leptin before surgery is not useful as predictors of WL or WR at long term after RYGBP.