The Metabolic Impact of Bariatric Surgery Compared to Best Diabetic Care on Manitoba's Urban Indigenous Population

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are major global health concerns as they commonly co-occur and are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditures. The Indigenous (First Nations, Metis and Inuit) population bears a disproportionate burden of T2DM in Canada. The prevalence of obesity among Indigenous individuals is approximately 31.2% compared to 18.6% for the non-Indigenous population. In 2011, 16.7% of Manitoba's population, or four times the Canadian average, identified as Indigenous. At the same time, prevalence of T2DM in Manitoba is on the rise. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment modality for the improvement and resolution of T2DM in patients who are obese. We aim to compare the effectiveness of bariatric surgery with conventional medical treatment in treating metabolic diseases in Indigenous people; the findings of which will assist in future treatment and program planning. Our objective is to determine whether Manitoba's urban Indigenous population will achieve better diabetic control and improved rates of remission of T2DM with bariatric surgery compared to best diabetic medical care.