A view at postbariatric hypoglycemia by endocrinologist

Abstract

The obesity epidemic has led to the growing number of bariatric operations and the expansion of indications for this operation as the most effective method of treatment, that’s why endocrinologists are increasingly faced the challenge of late complications, including postbariatric hypoglycemia. Postbariatric hypoglycemia is a rare but severe metabolic disorder that occurs months or years after upper gastrointestinal surgery. Postbariatric hypoglycemia can be accompanied by severe clinical symptoms and lead to disability and decreasing of the life’s quality. It is difficult to assess the prevalence of hypoglycemia after bariatric surgery due to the lack of clear diagnostic criteria, often a hidden clinical picture and ignorance of doctors and patients about this complication. Hypoglycemia in this case has postprandial and hyperinsulinemic nature. The mechanisms of development of this complication have recently been actively discussed. The exchange of incretins and dysregulation of insulin secretion are the subject of constant research in this area. Understanding the mechanisms of development of this condition makes it possible to develop optimal methods of diagnosis and treatment. The issues of pathophysiology, basic principles of diagnosis and treatment of post-bariatric hypoglycemia will be considered in this review.

Keywords

• bariatric surgery
• obesity
• post-bariatric hypoglycemia
• gastric bypass
• incretins
• nesidioblastosis
• hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia