Reactive hypoglycaemia due to late dumping syndrome: successful treatment with acarbose

Hypoglycemia After Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery: Clinical Approach to Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment

CONTEXT

Post-bariatric hypoglycemia (PBH) is an increasingly encountered complication of upper gastrointestinal surgery; the prevalence of this condition is anticipated to rise given yearly increases in bariatric surgical procedures. While PBH is incompletely understood, there is a growing body of research describing the associated factors, mechanisms, and treatment approaches for this condition.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Data are integrated and summarized from studies of individuals affected by PBH and hypoglycemia following upper gastrointestinal surgery obtained from PubMed searches (1990-2020).

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Information addressing etiology, incidence/prevalence, clinical characteristics, assessment, and treatment were reviewed and synthesized for the practicing physician. Literature reports were supplemented by clinical experience as indicated, when published data were not available.

CONCLUSION

PBH can be life-altering and severe for a subset of individuals. Given the chronic nature of this condition, and sequelae of both acute and recurrent episodes, increasing provider awareness of both the condition and associated risk factors is critical for assessment, prompt diagnosis, treatment, and preoperative identification of individuals at risk.

Hypoglycemia After Gastric Bypass Surgery: Current Concepts and Controversies

CONTEXT

Hypoglycemia, occurring after bariatric and other forms of upper gastrointestinal surgery, is increasingly encountered by clinical endocrinologists. The true frequency of this condition remains uncertain, due, in part, to differences in the diagnostic criteria and in the affected populations, as well as relative lack of patient and physician awareness and understanding of this condition. Postbariatric hypoglycemia can be severe and disabling for some patients, with neuroglycopenia (altered cognition, seizures, and loss of consciousness) leading to falls, motor vehicle accidents, and job and income loss. Moreover, repeated episodes of hypoglycemia can result in hypoglycemia unawareness, further impairing safety and requiring the assistance of others to treat hypoglycemia.

OBJECTIVE

In this review, we summarize and integrate data from studies of patients affected by hypoglycemia after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, obtained from PubMed searches (1990 to 2017) and reference searches of relevant retrieved articles. Whereas hypoglycemia can also be observed after sleeve gastrectomy and fundoplication, this review is focused on post-RYGB, given the greater body of published clinical studies at present.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Data addressing specific aspects of diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment were reviewed by the authors; when not available, the authors have provided opinions based on clinical experience with this challenging condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoglycemia, occurring after gastric bypass surgery, is challenging for patients and physicians alike. This review provides a systematic approach to diagnosis and treatment based on the underlying pathophysiology.

Endocrine and metabolic complications after bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery is the most effective therapeutic option for obese patients; however, it carries substantial risks, including procedure-related complications, malabsorption, and hormonal disturbance. Recent years have seen an increase in the bariatric surgeries performed utilizing either an independent or a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive procedures. We review some complications of bariatric procedures more specifically, hypoglycemia and osteoporosis, the recommended preoperative assessment and then regular follow up, and the therapeutic options. Surgeon, internist, and the patient must be aware of the multiple risks of this kind of surgery and the needed assessment and follow up.

Effect of the addition of sitagliptin and miglitol on insulin-treated type 2 diabetes

INTRODUCTION

To examine the efficacy of sitagliptin and miglitol when added to ongoing insulin treatment in a patient with type 2 diabetes who had undergone partial gastrectomy.

METHODS

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed and either sitagliptin or miglitol, or both, were added to fixed-dose insulin therapy. Blood was drawn at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min after breakfast, and C-peptide, glucagon, glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) were measured.

RESULTS

CGM showed that compared to insulin alone, the addition of either sitagliptin or miglitol, or both, to insulin achieved better glucose control. Compared to insulin alone, early postprandial increments in plasma C-peptide levels and suppressed glucagon levels were observed when sitagliptin was added. Glucagon suppression was even more prominent when both sitagliptin and miglitol were added. Compared to insulin alone, GLP-1 levels were higher during the early postprandial stage when sitagliptin or miglitol was added and even higher when both were added. GIP levels decreased when sitagliptin or miglitol, or both, were added to insulin therapy.

CONCLUSION

The authors showed that the addition of sitagliptin or miglitol, or both, was effective in this insulin-treated patient with diabetes who had undergone gastrectomy.