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A Systematic Review of Genetic Correlates of Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery

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Obesity Surgery Aims and scope

Abstract

This systematic review synthesized research evaluating the relationship between genetic predictors and weight loss after bariatric surgery. Fifty-seven studies were identified that examined single genes or genetic risk scores. Uncoupling protein (UCP) rs660339 was associated with excess weight loss after surgery in 4 of 6 studies. The most commonly assessed genes were fat mass and obesity–associated (FTO) gene (n = 10) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) (n = 14). Both were inconsistently related to weight loss. Genetic risk scores predicted weight loss in 6 of 7 studies. This evidence suggests the potential of using genetic variants and genetic risk scores to predict the amount of weight loss anticipated after bariatric surgery and identify patients who may be at risk for suboptimal weight reduction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Sapana R. Gupta

  2. Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, 418 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Yingjie Zhou & Ariana M. Chao

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Thomas A. Wadden, Robert I. Berkowitz & Ariana M. Chao

  4. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Robert I. Berkowitz

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  1. Sapana R. Gupta
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  2. Yingjie Zhou
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Correspondence to Ariana M. Chao.

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Ariana M. Chao reports grants and consulting fees from WW International, Inc., outside the submitted work. Thomas A. Wadden discloses serving on advisory boards for Novo Nordisk and WW International, Inc. Robert I. Berkowitz reports receiving funding through grant support from Eisai Inc and Novo Nordisk and scientific consulting fees from WW International. The other authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Key Points

• FTO and MC4R are inconsistently related to weight loss after bariatric surgery.

• Genetic risk scores may be useful to predict the amount of weight loss after surgery.

• UCP was associated with excess weight loss after surgery in multiple studies.

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Gupta, S.R., Zhou, Y., Wadden, T.A. et al. A Systematic Review of Genetic Correlates of Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery. OBES SURG 31, 4612–4623 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-021-05585-6

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