Inhibition of C-reactive protein in morbidly obese patients after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Abstract

Background: Obesity is considered a low-grade chronic inflammatory condition as reflected by increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Inflammation is emerging as a predictor of cardiovascular disease and it may be a precursor of the metabolic syndrome. Bariatric surgery is commonly performed as a treatment for morbid obesity offering significant reductions in premature myocardial infarction. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a relatively new bariatric procedure that is currently used as a definitive procedure for weight loss. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of sleeve gastrectomy on CRP levels.

Methods: This study is part of an ongoing, prospective, cohort study to evaluate LSG impact on iron indices. CRP levels were compared preoperatively and 6 months after surgery. Similarly, demographics including body mass index and excess weight were also compared at these same study points. Data were analyzed using Student paired t test and Pearson product moment correlation analysis.

Results: Twenty-nine morbidly obese patients were included. There was significant decrease in body mass index (BMI) between the preoperative and 6-month period (50.9 +/- 13.2 and 35.1 +/- 6.85, respectively; P < 0.001). Also CRP levels were statistically significantly lower at 6 months after surgery (preoperative 12.3 +/- 7.53 mg/L and postoperative 5.6 +/- 4.2 mg/L. P < 0.0001). The significant weight loss as reflected by change in BMI was correlated with the difference between preoperative and postoperative CRP levels.

Conclusions: Massive weight loss in morbidly obese patients induced by LSG causes a significant decrease in CRP levels, which could reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in these patients.