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Clinical Studies and Practice

Efficacy and safety of bariatric surgery for craniopharyngioma-related hypothalamic obesity: a matched case–control study with 2 years of follow-up

Abstract

Background:

Hypothalamic obesity is a devastating consequence of craniopharyngioma. Bariatric surgery could be a promising therapeutic option. However, its efficacy and safety in patients with craniopharyngioma-related hypothalamic obesity remain largely unknown.

Objectives:

We investigated the efficacy of bariatric surgery for inducing weight loss in patients with craniopharyngioma-related hypothalamic obesity. In addition, we studied the safety of bariatric surgery regarding its effects on hormone replacement therapy for pituitary insufficiency.

Methods:

In this retrospective matched case–control study, we compared weight loss after bariatric surgery (that is, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy) between eight patients with craniopharyngioma-related hypothalamic obesity and 75 controls with ‘common’ obesity during 2 years of follow-up. We validated our results at 1 year of follow-up in a meta-analysis. In addition, we studied alterations in hormone replacement therapy after bariatric surgery in patients with craniopharyngioma.

Results:

Mean weight loss after bariatric surgery was 19% vs 25% (difference −6%, 95% confidence of interval (CI) −14.1 to 4.6; P=0.091) at 2 years of follow-up in patients with craniopharyngioma-related hypothalamic obesity compared with control subjects with ‘common’ obesity. Mean weight loss was 25% vs 29% (difference −4%, 95% CI −11.6 to 8.1; P=0.419) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and 10% vs 20% (difference −10%, 95% CI −14.1 to −6.2; P=0.003) after sleeve gastrectomy at 2 years of follow-up in patients with craniopharyngioma-related hypothalamic obesity vs control subjects with ‘common’ obesity. Our meta-analysis demonstrated significant weight loss 1 year after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, but not after sleeve gastrectomy. Seven patients with craniopharyngioma suffered from pituitary insufficiency; three of them required minor adjustments in hormone replacement therapy after bariatric surgery.

Conclusions:

Weight loss after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, but not sleeve gastrectomy, was comparable between patients with craniopharyngioma-related hypothalamic obesity and control subjects with ‘common’ obesity at 2 years of follow-up. Bariatric surgery seems safe regarding its effects on hormone replacement therapy.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the bariatric surgical teams of the Maasstad Ziekenhuis and Sint Franciscus Gasthuis (Rotterdam, the Netherlands), as well as the bariatric surgical teams of the Carlanderska Sjukhuset and Sahlgrenska University Hospital (Gothenburg, Sweden).

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Correspondence to M Wijnen.

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Wijnen, M., Olsson, D., van den Heuvel-Eibrink, M. et al. Efficacy and safety of bariatric surgery for craniopharyngioma-related hypothalamic obesity: a matched case–control study with 2 years of follow-up. Int J Obes 41, 210–216 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2016.195

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