# Polygenic Score for Body Mass Index Is Associated with Weight Loss and Lipid Outcomes After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

## TL;DR

A genetic score for BMI is linked to weight loss and lipid changes after weight-loss surgery, suggesting potential for personalized treatment.

## Contribution

This study is the first to show how a BMI polygenic score influences surgical weight loss and lipid outcomes, mediated or directly.

## Key findings

- The BMI polygenic score is associated with total weight loss at 12 months through baseline BMI mediation.
- The polygenic score directly correlates with changes in HDL-C and triglycerides after surgery.
- Genetic predisposition to BMI affects post-surgery metabolic outcomes independently of baseline BMI in some cases.

## Abstract

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is an effective treatment for severe obesity, though individual responses vary widely, partly due to genetic predisposition. This study investigates the association of a body mass index (BMI) polygenic score (PGS) with weight loss and metabolic outcomes following surgery. A cohort of 225 patients undergoing MBS was analyzed at baseline (T0), six (T6), and twelve (T12) months, with anthropometric and biochemical parameters recorded at each time point. Total weight loss (TWL) and excess weight loss (EWL) percentages were calculated. PGS was computed using the LDpred-grid Bayesian method. The mean age was 45.9 ± 9.4 years. Males had a higher baseline prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and comorbidities (p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis confirmed an association between PGS and baseline BMI (p = 0.012). Moreover, mediation analysis revealed that baseline BMI mediated the effect of the PGS on %TWL at T12, with an indirect effect (p-value = 0.018). In contrast, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) at T6 and triglycerides (TG) at T12 showed direct associations with the PGS (p-value = 0.004 and p-value = 0.08, respectively), with no significant mediation by BMI. This study showed a BMI-mediated association of PGS with %TWL and a direct association with lipid changes, suggesting its potential integration into personalized obesity treatment.