Remissions of diabetes mellitus after weight reduction by jejunoileal bypass.

Limited weight loss following jejunoileal bypass in 24 diabetic persons who were still distinctly overweight five to ten months after a mean weight decrease of 78 lbs. was accompanied by a return of normal fasting glucose and insulin levels, normal insulin responses, and a decrease in glucose intolerance. The glucose disappearance rate had improved in the majority of the subjects, but only three had attained values in the normal range. Concomitants of the undue hyperglycemia and/or obesity included labile and, rarely, sustained hypertension and/or cardiomegaly. The blood pressure returned to normal but heart size did not change. Electrocardiographic abnormalities noted in about one-half of the patients persisted after the operation. Triglyceride and cholesterol levels decreased. No patients had diabetic retinopathy visible on funduscopy. Proteinuria did not change in three patients. Neuropathy consisting of absent ankle reflexes and/or decreased vibration perception noted in one-half of the subjects persisted despite the improvement in carbohydrate metabolism.