C-peptide levels predict type 2 diabetes remission after bariatric surgery

Background: C-peptide (Cp) serves as a surrogate of pancreatic beta-cell reserve. This study evaluates the clinical significance of basal Cp as a predictor of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remission after bariatric surgery (BS). Research design and methods: Retrospective study of 22 patients with BMI > 35 kg/m2 and T2D who underwent BS. Evaluation of anthropometric and glucose metabolism parameters before BS and at one-year follow-up. Analysis of patients with T2D remission (HbA1c 3.75 ng/mL provided a clinically useful cut-off for prediction of T2D remission. T2D remission rates were different according to median preoperative Cp: 27.3% if Cp 3.8 ng/mL (p = 0.010). Conclusions: Patients with elevated preoperative Cp levels achieve higher rates of T2D remission one year after BS. A Cp concentration > 3.75 ng/mL seems clinically useful.