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Risk of Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis (MALA) in Patients After Gastric Bypass Surgery

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Abstract

Background

Pharmacokinetic data suggest that the risk of metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) may be increased after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of metformin on plasma lactate levels before and after RYGB surgery.

Methods

Retrospective study of plasma lactate levels before and 3 months after RYGB surgery in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) not using metformin (MET-0, N = 58), on a stable dose (MET-S, N = 138), or on a decreasing dose (MET-D, N = 85) of metformin.

Results

Preoperatively, lactate levels were similar in patients on metformin (1.8 ± 0.05 mmol/L) and those not on metformin (1.7 ± 0.08 mmol/L), P = 0.21. Three months postoperatively, lactate levels had decreased in all groups (P < 0.001) to 1.3 ± 0.07 (SE), 1.4 ± 0.05, and 1.2 ± 0.05 mmol/l in MET-0, MET-S, and MET-D, respectively. Lactate levels differed between the groups (P = 0.03), with the lowest level in MET-D. The number of patients with hyperlactatemia (lactate > 2 mmol/l) decreased from 31 to 14%, from 22 to 8.6%, and from 26 to 4.7% in MET-S, MET-0, and MET-D, respectively.

Conclusion

Mild hyperlactatemia (lactate > 2 mmol/l) is common in morbidly obese patients with T2DM. It is probably related to increase lactate production by adipocytes. Lactate levels decreased after RYGB-induced weight loss, irrespective of the use of metformin. We therefore conclude that there is no need for routinely lowering of the metformin dose after uncomplicated RYGB surgery, as long as normal renal function is preserved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Rijnstate Hospital, Wagnerlaan 55, 6800 TA, Arnhem, The Netherlands

    Laura N. Deden, Edo O. Aarts, Stephanie C. W. Aelfers, Ignace M. C. Janssen & Frits J. Berends

  2. Vitalys Clinic, Velp, The Netherlands

    Laura N. Deden, Edo O. Aarts, Stephanie C. W. Aelfers, Ignace M. C. Janssen & Frits J. Berends

  3. Department of Clinical Chemistry, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands

    Marcel M. G. J. van Borren

  4. Departments of Internal Medicine, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands

    Hans de Boer

Authors
  1. Laura N. Deden
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  2. Edo O. Aarts
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  3. Stephanie C. W. Aelfers
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  4. Marcel M. G. J. van Borren
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  5. Ignace M. C. Janssen
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  6. Frits J. Berends
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  7. Hans de Boer
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Correspondence to Laura N. Deden.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Deden, L.N., Aarts, E.O., Aelfers, S.C.W. et al. Risk of Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis (MALA) in Patients After Gastric Bypass Surgery. OBES SURG 28, 1080–1085 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-017-2974-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-017-2974-1

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