Genetic Variants Associated with Weight Loss and Metabolic Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review

The extent to which genetic variations contribute to interindividual differences in weight loss and metabolic outcomes after bariatric surgery is unknown. Identifying genetic variants that impact surgery outcomes may contribute to clinical decision making. This review evaluates current evidence addressing the association of genetic variants with weight loss and changes in metabolic parameters after bariatric surgery. A search was conducted using Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Fifty-two eligible studies were identified. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at ADIPOQ (rs226729, rs1501299, rs3774261, and rs17300539) showed a positive association with postoperative change in measures of glucose homeostasis and lipid profiles (n = 4), but not with weight loss after surgery (n = 6). SNPs at FTO (rs11075986, rs16952482, rs8050136, rs9939609, rs9930506, and rs16945088) (n = 10) and MC4R (rs11152213, rs476828, rs2229616, rs9947255, rs17773430, rs5282087, and rs17782313) (n = 9) were inconsistently associated with weight loss and metabolic improvement. Four studies examining the UCP2 SNP rs660339 reported associations with postsurgical weight loss. In summary, there is limited evidence supporting a role for specific genetic variants in surgical outcomes after bariatric surgery. Most studies have adopted a candidate gene approach, limiting the scope for discovery, suggesting that the absence of compelling evidence is not evidence of absence.