A 23-year study of mortality and development of co-morbidities in patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery (laparoscopic gastric banding) in comparison with medical treatment of obesity

Heart failure and co-morbidities confer a negative prognosis in COVID-19 infection

BACKGROUND

Since early reports, it has been shown that cardiovascular (CV) diseases, including heart failure (HF), represent a risk factor for infection, hospital admissions and mortality from COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemics has been of major importance in Italy and in the Lombardy Region. Aims of this study were to compare COVID-19 infection in HF and No-HF subjects, and to quantify among HF patients the risk for COVID-19 infection and all-cause mortality.

METHODS

All consecutive patients (98,549) with at least one hospital discharge of HF (primary diagnosis) during January 1st, 2015, to December 31st, 2019, were identified in the Lombardy Region Database (>10 million inhabitants), and compared with No-HF subjects (394,104 with a lower age limit 40 years), randomly chosen in a 4:1 proportion among hospitalized patients. The whole cohort of cases of COVID-19 infection, laboratory-confirmed by RT-PCR, aged >40 years, diagnosed from the beginning of the epidemic on 21 February 2020 to 1 October 2020 was studied. The study outcomes were: occurrence, hospitalization, and death in COVID-19 cases.

RESULTS

Incidence of COVID-19 increased with age in both HF (p < 0.001) and No-HF patients (p < 0.001); cases (and incidence rates, IR) were 8648 (IR = 29.653 × 100.000) in HF and 14,256 (IR = 10.195) and in No-HF (p < 0.001); hospital admissions were 4974 (IR = 14.970) and 4943 (IR = 3.484), respectively (p 〈0001); deaths were 7650 (IR = 5.368) and 18,368 (IR = 56.921), respectively (p < 0.001); the incidence rate ratio (IRR) was 2.909 (95 % C.I. 2.908-2.909) for infection (p < 0.001), 4.297 (95 % C.I. 4.296-4.297) for hospital admission (p < 0.001), and 10.603 (95 % C.I.10.602-10.604) for mortality (p < 0.001). The excess IRR for mortality varied from 25.001 (95 % C.I. 24.971-25.032) for the age decade 40-49 to 1.925 (95 % C.I. 1.923-1.926) for the age decade 100-109. Among HF patients, age (OR = 1.087, 95 % C.I.1.05-1.088), male sex (OR = 1.27, 95 % C.I. 1.23-1.31), number of hospital admissions for HF during the period 2015-2019 (OR = 2.22, 95 % C.I. 2.11-2.33), co-morbidities (OR = 1.33, 95 % C.I. 1.32-1.35), or Charlson Index (OR = 1.21, 95 % C.I. 1.20-1.22), were risk factors for both infection and all-cause mortality at univariable and at multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSION

Infections, hospital admissions, and mortality for COVID-19 increased with age and male sex were more frequent in HF than in No-HF patients. Among HF patients, age and sex, number of hospital admissions for HF, co-morbidities, were risk factors for both infection and mortality. These data are of relevance for prioritizing interventions for prevention of infection, and for assistance to patients with COVID-19, and to inform management of future pandemics.

Association between metabolic and bariatric surgery and malignancy: a systematic review, meta-analysis, trends, and conclusions

BACKGROUND

Conflicting studies have investigated the association between obesity, metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), and cancer.

OBJECTIVES

Our study aimed at elucidating the trends in cancer incidence that are related to obesity and weight loss managed through MBSs, like Colo-rectal, breast, uterine, and esophageal cancer.

SETTING

We conducted a search using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library electronic databases through May 2020.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement.

RESULTS

MBS procedures surveyed included sleeve gastrectomy, gastric band, gastric bypass, gastric balloon, and banded gastroplasty/silastic ring gastroplasty. The initial search found 11,789 potential studies. After data extraction and filtering, 21 were included in the final analysis. Overall, the calculated risk of cancer was reduced after MBS in comparison to the patients suffering from obesity who were treated nonoperatively (mean effect size of -.33). It was also found as a protective factor against colorectal cancer (mean E.S. -.28), uterine cancer (mean E.S. -.42), breast cancer (mean E.S. -.37), and esophageal cancer (mean E.S. -.23). Other cancers, such as liver, pancreatic, and skin, did not show a significant change even though a trend was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the data retrieved from patients who underwent MBS compared to nonoperated patients suffering from obesity, the overall risk for malignancy was lower in the MBS group. Additional information collected in this study revealed the behavior of specific types of cancer in response to induced weight loss by operative means. The benefit of surgery in patients suffering from obesity is not restricted to the improvement of obesity morbidity alone.

Priority Index for Bariatric Surgery Based on a New Classification of Severity in Obesity

This study aimed to propose and evaluate a severity rating in obesity (SERO) based on a new priority index for bariatric surgery (PIBS). We compared the waiting time for surgery (WTS) in a simulated list of 200 patients diagnosed, classified, and hypothetically submitted to bariatric surgery using two prioritization criteria: date of inclusion in the list and PIBS. Our simulations show that patients spent an average of 350.44 days waiting for surgery while in the first case, when PIBS was adopted as the prioritization criterion, the WTS varied according to the severity of each patient's condition so more severe cases waited an average of 82.56 days, i.e., up to 75.55% less time considering statistical significance in the differences (p < 0.05). Therefore, the proposed prioritization model proved effective, fair, and reproducible and can be used to manage waiting lists for bariatric surgery.

Association of non-cardiac comorbidities and sex with long-term Re-hospitalization for heart failure

Heart failure (HF) often coexists with non-cardiac comorbidities (NCC), but their association with long-term HF re-hospitalizations is not defined. Using the Lombardy Regional Health Database, that includes >10 million residents, we assessed the risk of re-hospitalization for HF after first HF discharge as a function of NCC, employing age- and sex-adjusted Cox proportional-hazard models. Kaplan Meier curves for HF re-hospitalizations were stratified for number of NCC. End of follow-up was June 30th 2021. Between January 1st 2015 to December 31st 2019, 88,528 consecutive patients were discharged from hospital with a primary diagnosis of HF; over 42.8 ± 18.3 months follow-up, 79,533 HF re-hospitalizations occurred (32.94/100 patient/year). Number of NCC, age, and male sex were significantly associated with re-hospitalization risk. Compared to those without NCC, females and males with >4 NCC had a 3.08 (CI 2.73-3.47) and a 2.62 (CI 2.39-2.87) fold higher risk, respectively. Risk of all-cause death increased with number of NCC (hazard ratio (HR): 1.42 (1.38-1.46) for HF patients with 1-2 NCC, HR: 1.90 (1.82-1.98) for patients with 3-4 NCC, HR: 2.20 (2.01-2.40) for those with HF and >4 NCC), as it did the number of days spent in hospital because of HF (from 19.91±19.25 for patients without NCC to 45.35±33.00 days for those with >4 NCC, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, this study shows that in patients hospitalized with HF, HF re-hospitalizations, all-cause mortality, and time spent in hospital increased with number of NCC. NCC associates with a worse clinical trajectory in patients with HF.

Bariatric surgery and all-cause mortality: A methodological review of studies using a non-surgical comparator

AIM

Non-randomized studies on bariatric surgery have reported large reductions in mortality within 6-12 months after surgery compared with non-surgical patients. It is unclear whether these findings are the result of bias.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

We searched PubMed to identify all non-randomized studies investigating the effect of bariatric surgery on all-cause mortality compared with non-surgical patients. We assessed these studies for potential confounding and time-related biases. We conducted bias analyses to quantify the effect of these biases.

RESULTS

We identified 21 cohort studies that met our inclusion criteria. Among those, 11 were affected by immortal time bias resulting from the misclassification or exclusion of relevant follow-up time. Five studies were subject to potential confounding bias because of a lack of adjustment for body mass index (BMI). All studies used an inadequate comparator group that lacked indications for bariatric surgery. Bias analyses to correct for potential confounding from BMI shifted the effect estimates towards the null [reported hazard ratio (HR): 0.78 vs. bias-adjusted HR: 0.92]. Bias analyses to correct for the presence of immortal time also shifted the effect estimates towards the null (adjustment for 2-year wait time: reported HR: 0.57 vs. bias-adjusted HR: 0.81).

CONCLUSION

Several important sources of bias were identified in non-randomized studies of the effectiveness of bariatric surgery versus non-surgical comparators on mortality. Future studies should ensure that confounding by BMI is accounted for, considering the choice of the comparator group, and that the design or analysis avoids immortal time bias from the misclassification or exclusion.

The triglyceride-glucose index, blood glucose levels, and metabolic syndrome are associated with all-cause mortality in obesity

BACKGROUND

The Triglyceride-Glucose Index (TYG) has been proposed as a prognostic index for mortality in the general population, in T2DM, and in patients with cardiovascular diseases. However, data on the respective predictive roles of TYG, glucose tolerance (GT), and metabolic syndrome (MS) for mortality in obesity are lacking.

METHODS

We analyzed 1359 obese patients (371 men and 988 women), aged 44.1 ± 12.64 years, followed for 14.3 ± 4.44 years. They were subdivided according to glucose tolerance, in normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We analyzed the risk of death associated with blood glucose (BG) quartiles, TYG quartiles and MS quartiles. Cox proportional-hazard models were used to evaluate the risk of death associated with independent variables that were highly statistically significant at univariate analysis.

RESULTS

Different degrees of glucose tolerance were associated with a progressive deterioration of clinical outcomes, and increased all-cause mortality (6.3 %, 10.1 %, and 20.4 %, respectively). In all groups, age and male sex were associated with increased mortality. Higher TYG or TYG quartiles, BG or BG quartiles, and MS or MS quartiles were all associated with increased all-cause mortality in the whole cohort.

CONCLUSION

TYG, blood glucose and MS are risk factors for mortality in obesity, with a progressively stronger value in IFG and T2DM as compared to NGT.

Long-term clinical outcomes of bariatric surgery in adults with severe obesity: A population-based retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery leads to sustained weight loss in a majority of recipients, and also reduces fasting insulin levels and markers of inflammation. We described the long-term associations between bariatric surgery and clinical outcomes including 30 morbidities.

METHODS

We did a retrospective population-based cohort study of 304,157 adults with severe obesity, living in Alberta, Canada; 6,212 of whom had bariatric surgery. We modelled adjusted time to mortality, hospitalization, surgery and the adjusted incidence/prevalence of 30 new or ongoing morbidities after 5 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 4.4 years (range 1 day-22.0 years), bariatric surgery was associated with increased risk of hospitalization (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.41,1.51) and additional surgery (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.32,1.52) but with a decreased risk of mortality (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.64,0.91). After 5 years (median of 9.9 years), bariatric surgery was associated with a lower risk of severe chronic kidney disease (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.27,0.75), coronary disease (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.33,0.72), diabetes (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.47,0.56), inflammatory bowel disease (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37,0.83), hypertension (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.66,0.75), chronic pulmonary disease (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.66,0.86), asthma (HR 0.79, 95% 0.65,0.96), cancer (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65,0.96), and chronic heart failure (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.64,0.96). In contrast, after 5 years, bariatric surgery was associated with an increased risk of peptic ulcer (HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.32,3.01), alcohol misuse (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.25,1.94), frailty (HR 1.28, 95% 1.11,1.46), severe constipation (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.07,1.49), sleep disturbance (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.08,1.35), depression (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.10,1.27), and chronic pain (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04,1.20).

INTERPRETATION

Bariatric surgery was associated with lower risks of death and certain morbidities. However, bariatric surgery was also associated with increased risk of hospitalization and additional surgery, as well as certain other morbidities. Since values and preferences for these various benefits and harms may differ between individuals, this suggests that comprehensive counselling should be offered to patients considering bariatric surgery.

Comparative Analysis of Mortality Rates among Morbidly Obese Individuals: A Study of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery, Nonsurgical Morbidly Obese Individuals, and the General Population

INTRODUCTION

Mortality decreases following bariatric surgery. We explored the extent of the reduction and whether or not it reaches the general population level in a large cohort of patients with obesity. This study aimed to compare all-cause mortality between patients with obesity who undergo bariatric surgery and those who do not, with the general Iranian population during the same period.

METHOD

Data from Iran's National Obesity Surgery Database were used to establish a large cohort of patients registered between 2009 and 2019. The current vital status of the patients was determined by utilizing post-surgery follow-up data for those who underwent the operation. For patients without a surgery record, a predefined checklist was filled out through telephone interviews. Death data from the National General Registrar's office were obtained for all cohort members.

RESULTS

Of 13,313 cohort members, 12,915 were eligible for analysis. The median age at the first visit was 38 years, and 78% were women. 6,190 patients (47.9%) underwent bariatric surgery, and 6,725 patients (52.1%) were not yet operated on at the time of analysis. We observed 139 deaths during 53,880 person-years follow-ups. The median follow-ups for operated-on and not operated-on groups were 4 and 4.8 years. The mortality rates among nonoperated patients were 2.89 times higher (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 2.89, 95% CI: 2.36-3.53) than those in the general population, while in operated patients, the mortality rate decreased to 1.82 as high (SMR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.34-2.46).

CONCLUSION

The risk of death has been diminished in the operated-on group. It still remains considerably higher than the risk in the general population.

Cohort study on incidence of new-onset type 2 diabetes in patients after bariatric surgery and matched controls

BACKGROUND

Metabolic bariatric surgery the reduces risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes in individuals with obesity, but it is unclear whether the benefit varies by sex, age, or socioeconomic status. The aim was to assess the risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes after metabolic bariatric surgery in these subgroups.

METHODS

The Finnish Public Sector study, a follow-up study with matched controls nested in a large employee cohort, included patients without type 2 diabetes and with a diagnosis of obesity or self-reported BMI of at least 35 kg/m2. For each patient who had laparoscopic metabolic bariatric surgery (2008-2016), two propensity-score matched controls were selected. New-onset type 2 diabetes was ascertained from linked records from national health registries.

RESULTS

The study included a total of 917 patients and 1811 matched controls with obesity. New-onset type 2 diabetes was diagnosed in 15 of the patients who had metabolic bariatric surgery (4.1 per 1000 person-years) and 164 controls (20.2 per 1000 person-years). The corresponding rate ratio (RR) was 0.20 (95% c.i. 0.12 to 0.35) and the rate difference (RD) was -16.1 (-19.8 to -12.3) per 1000 person-years. The risk reduction was more marked in individuals of low socioeconomic status (RR 0.10 (0.04 to 0.26) and RD -20.6 (-25.6 to -15.5) per 1000 person-years) than in those with higher socioeconomic status (RR 0.35 (0.18 to 0.66) and RD -11.5 (-16.9 to -6.0) per 1000 person-years) (Pinteraction = 0.017). No differences were observed between sexes or age groups.

CONCLUSION

Metabolic bariatric surgery was associated with a reduced risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes in men and women and in all age groups. The greatest benefit was observed in individuals of low socioeconomic status.

Alanine transferase levels (ALT) and triglyceride-glucose index are risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus in obese patients

AIMS

The role of liver steatosis and increased liver enzymes (ALT) in increasing incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is debated, because of their differential effects on different ethnicities and populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of elevated ALT in the development of T2DM in non-diabetic obese subjects receiving routine medical treatment.

METHODS

A total of 1005 subjects [296 men and 709 women, aged 45.7 ± 13.12 years, body mass index (BMI) 39.5 ± 4.86 kg/m2] were followed for a mean period of 14.3 ± 4.44 years. Subjects were evaluated for several metabolic variables, including the triglyceride-glucose index and the presence of metabolic syndrome (IDF 2005 definition), and were subdivided into ALT quartiles.

RESULTS

T2DM developed in 136 subjects, and the difference was significant between the first and the fourth ALT quartile (p = 0.048). Both at univariate analysis and at stepwise regression, ALT quartiles were associated with incident T2DM. Traditional risk factors for T2DM coexisted, with a somehow greater predictive value, such as triglyceride-glucose index, age, arterial hypertension, LDL-cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest an association between elevated ALT levels and the risk of incident T2DM in obesity.

Bariatric Surgery and Longitudinal Cancer Risk: A Review

Importance

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with the obesity epidemic contributing to its steady increase every year. Recent cohort studies find an association between bariatric surgery and reduced longitudinal cancer risk, but with heterogeneous findings.

Observations

This review summarizes how obesity leads to an increased risk of developing cancer and synthesizes current evidence behind the potential for bariatric surgery to reduce longitudinal cancer risk. Overall, bariatric surgery appears to have the strongest and most consistent association with decreased incidence of developing breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. The association of bariatric surgery and the development of esophageal, gastric, liver, and pancreas cancer is heterogenous with studies showing either no association or decreased longitudinal incidences. Conversely, there have been preclinical and cohort studies implying an increased risk of developing colon and rectal cancer after bariatric surgery. A review and synthesis of the existing literature reveals epidemiologic shortcomings of cohort studies that potentially explain incongruencies observed between studies.

Conclusions and Relevance

Studies examining the association of bariatric surgery and longitudinal cancer risk remain heterogeneous and could be explained by certain epidemiologic considerations. This review provides a framework to better define subgroups of patients at higher risk of developing cancer who would potentially benefit more from bariatric surgery, as well as subgroups where more caution should be exercised.

Observational cohort investigating health outcomes and healthcare costs after metabolic and bariatric surgery: a study protocol

INTRODUCTION

As the rate of obesity increases, so does the incidence of obesity-related comorbidities. Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is the most effective treatment for obesity, yet this treatment is severely underused. MBS can improve, resolve, and prevent the development of obesity-related comorbidities; this improvement in health also results in lower healthcare costs. The studies that have examined these outcomes are often limited by small sample sizes, reliance on outdated data, inconsistent definitions of outcomes, and the use of simulated data. Using recent real-world data, we will identify characteristics of individuals who qualify for MBS but have not had MBS and address the gaps in knowledge around the impact of MBS on health outcomes and healthcare costs.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Using a large US employer-based retrospective claims database (Merative), we will identify all obese adults (21+) who have had a primary MBS from 2016 to 2021 and compare their characteristics and outcomes with obese adults who did not have an MBS from 2016 to 2021. Baseline demographics, health outcomes, and costs will be examined in the year before the index date, remission and new-onset comorbidities, and healthcare costs will be examined at 1 and 3 years after the index date.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

As this was an observational study of deidentified patients in the Merative database, Institutional Review Board approval and consent were exempt (in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Rule). An IRB exemption was approved by the wcg IRB (#13931684). Knowledge dissemination will include presenting results at national and international conferences, sharing findings with specialty societies, and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals. All data management and analytic code will be made available publicly to enable others to leverage our methods to verify and extend our findings.

Clinical Perspectives, Eligibility, and Success Criteria for Bariatric/Metabolic Surgery

Obesity is a worldwide chronic, complex, and progressive disease that poses a challenge for physicians to pursue optimal therapeutic decision making. This chapter focuses on the definition of obesity, based on excessive fat accumulation, and thus underscores the importance of body composition, and the clinical tools used to diagnose it in the context of excess weight, metabolic alteration, and obesity-associated comorbidity development. Additionally, it addresses the indications for surgery that are currently applicable and the description of the different types of patients who could benefit the most from the surgical management of excessive body fat and its associated metabolic derangements and quality of life improvement. Furthermore, it also highlights plausible underlying mechanisms of action for the beneficial effects following bariatric/metabolic surgery.

Clinical outcomes and adverse events of bariatric surgery in adults with severe obesity in Scotland: the SCOTS observational cohort study

Background

Bariatric surgery is a common procedure worldwide for the treatment of severe obesity and associated comorbid conditions but there is a lack of evidence as to medium-term safety and effectiveness outcomes in a United Kingdom setting.

Objective

To establish the clinical outcomes and adverse events of different bariatric surgical procedures, their impact on quality of life and the effect on comorbidities.

Design

Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting

National Health Service secondary care and private practice in Scotland, United Kingdom.

Participants

Adults (age >16 years) undergoing their first bariatric surgery procedure.

Main outcome measures

Change in weight, hospital length of stay, readmission and reoperation rate, mortality, diabetes outcomes (HbA1c, medications), quality of life, anxiety, depression.

Data sources

Patient-reported outcome measures, hospital records, national electronic health records (Scottish Morbidity Record 01, Scottish Care Information Diabetes, National Records Scotland, Prescription Information System).

Results

Between December 2013 and February 2017, 548 eligible patients were approached and 445 participants were enrolled in the study. Of those, 335 had bariatric surgery and 1 withdrew from the study. Mean age was 46.0 (9.2) years, 74.7% were female and the median body mass index was 46.4 (42.4; 52.0) kg/m2. Weight was available for 128 participants at 3 years: mean change was -19.0% (±14.1) from the operation and -24.2% (±12.8) from the start of the preoperative weight-management programme. One hundred and thirty-nine (41.4%) participants were readmitted to hospital in the same or subsequent 35 months post surgery, 18 (5.4% of the operated cohort) had a reoperation or procedure considered to be related to bariatric surgery gastrointestinal complications or revisions. Fewer than five participants (<2%) died during follow-up. HbA1c was available for 93/182 and diabetes medications for 139/182 participants who had type 2 diabetes prior to surgery; HbA1c mean change was -5.72 (±16.71) (p = 0.001) mmol/mol and 65.5% required no diabetes medications (p < 0.001) at 3 years post surgery. Physical quality of life, available for 101/335 participants, improved in the 3 years post surgery, mean change in Rand 12-item Short Form Survey physical component score 8.32 (±8.95) (p < 0.001); however, there was no change in the prevalence of anxiety or depression.

Limitations

Due to low numbers of bariatric surgery procedures in Scotland, recruitment was stopped before achieving the intended 2000 participants and follow-up was reduced from 10 years to 3 years.

Conclusions

Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective treatment for obesity. Patients in Scotland, UK, appear to be older and have higher body mass than international comparators, which may be due to the small number of procedures performed.

Future work

Intervention studies are required to identify the optimal pre- and post surgery pathway to maximise safety and cost-effectiveness.

Study registration

This study is registered as ISRCTN47072588.

Funding details

This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: 10/42/02) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 28, No. 7. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Five-Year Experience Training Surgeons with a Laparoscopic Simulation Training Program for Bariatric Surgery: a Quasi-experimental Design

PURPOSE

Nearly 200,000 laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) are performed yearly. Reported learning curves range between 50 and 150, even 500 cases to decrease the operative risk. Simulation programs could accelerate this learning curve safely; however, trainings for LRYGB are scarce. This study aims to describe and share our 5-year experience of a simulated program designed to achieve proficiency in LRYGB technical skills.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A quasi-experimental design was used. All recruited participants were previously trained with basic and advanced laparoscopic simulation curriculum completing over 50 h of practical training. Ex vivo animal models were used to practice manual and stapled gastrojejunostomy (GJ) and stapled jejunojejunostomy (JJO) in 10, 3, and 4 sessions, respectively. The main outcome was to assess the manual GJ skill acquisition. Pre- and post-training assessments using a Global Rating Scale (GRS; max 25 pts), Specific Rating Scale (SRS; max 20 pts), performance time, permeability, and leakage rates were analyzed. For the stapled GJ and JJO, execution time was registered. Data analysis was performed using parametric tests.

RESULTS

In 5 years, 68 trainees completed the program. For the manual GJ's pre- vs post-training assessment, GRS and SRS scores increased significantly (from 17 to 24 and from 13 to 19 points respectively, p-value < 0.001). Permeability rate increased while leakage rate and procedural time decreased significantly.

CONCLUSION

This simulated training program showed effectiveness in improving laparoscopic skills for manual GJ and JJO in a simulated scenario. This new training program could optimize the clinical learning curve. Further studies are needed to assess the transfer of skills to the operating room.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Future Cancer Risk

The study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence for the prevention of future cancers following bariatric surgery. A systematic literature search of the Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed databases (2007–2023), Google Scholar and grey literature was conducted. A meta-analysis was performed using the inverse variance method and random effects model. Thirty-two studies involving patients with obesity who received bariatric surgery and control patients who were managed with conventional treatment were included. The meta-analysis suggested bariatric surgery was associated with a reduced overall incidence of cancer (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.46–0.84, p < 0.002), obesity-related cancer (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39–0.90, p = 0.01) and cancer-associated mortality (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.42–0.62, p < 0.00001). In specific cancers, bariatric surgery was associated with reduction in the future incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.22–0.55, p < 0.00001), colorectal cancer (RR 0.63, CI 0.50–0.81, p = 0.0002), pancreatic cancer (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.29–0.93, p = 0.03) and gallbladder cancer (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.18–0.96, p = 0.04), as well as female specific cancers, including breast cancer (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.44–0.71, p < 0.00001), endometrial cancer (RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.26–0.55, p < 0.00001) and ovarian cancer (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.31–0.64, p < 0.0001). There was no significant reduction in the incidence of oesophageal, gastric, thyroid, kidney, prostate cancer or multiple myeloma after bariatric surgery as compared to patients with morbid obesity who did not have bariatric surgery. Obesity-associated carcinogenesis is closely related to metabolic syndrome; visceral adipose dysfunction; aromatase activity and detrimental cytokine, adipokine and exosomal miRNA release. Bariatric surgery results in long-term weight loss in morbidly obese patients and improves metabolic syndrome. Bariatric surgery may decrease future overall cancer incidence and mortality, including the incidence of seven obesity-related cancers.

Effect of Prolonged and Substantial Weight Loss on Incident Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background. Overweight and obesity are associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), and bariatric surgery (BS), able to induce sustained and prolonged weight loss, might represent the ideal treatment in the prevention of AF. Previous studies could not definitely establish a role for weight loss and BS in preventing incident AF so far. During the last few years, several studies on the effect of bariatric surgery on cardiovascular diseases have been published, and we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the role of weight loss through BS in the prevention of incident AF in obesity. Methods. This meta-analysis followed the PRISMA guideline. Eligible studies were controlled trials evaluating the appearance of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing weight loss through BS as compared with patients receiving medical treatment. Quality of studies was assessed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale, and risk-of-bias was evaluated employing the Egger's test. All analyses were run by a random-effects model according to Hartung and Knapp and sensitivity analyses were performed. Heterogeneity was assessed through Q and I² statistics for each comparison, and potential publication bias was formally investigated. Results. Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis, and the overall result was statistically significant [OR = 0.665 (0.475-0.929), p = 0.017], with significant heterogeneity (Q = 48.98, p < 0.001; I² = 81.6%), but with no publication bias. In sensitivity analyses, the amount of weight loss, percentage of patients with diabetes and value of the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale, were all associated with significance of effect. Since age was different in one study, a sensitivity analysis was performed by excluding this study; OR was similar [OR = 0.608 (0.454-0.814), p < 0.001]; heterogeneity was reduced but still significant (Q = 35.74, p < 0.001, I² = 77.6%) and again no publication bias was detected. Conclusions. Bariatric surgery as compared to medical treatment is associated with reduced appearance of incident AF.

Long-term all-cause and cause-specific mortality for four bariatric surgery procedures

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study incorporated long-term mortality results after different bariatric surgery procedures and for multiple age at surgery groups.

METHODS

Participants with bariatric surgery (surgery) and without (non-surgery) were matched (1:1) for age, sex, BMI, and surgery date with a driver license application/renewal date. Mortality rates were compared by Cox regression, stratified by sex, surgery type, and age at surgery.

RESULTS

Participants included 21,837 matched surgery and non-surgery pairs. Follow-up was up to 40 years (mean [SD], 13.2 [9.5] years). All-cause mortality was 16% lower in surgery compared with non-surgery groups (hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% CI: 0.79-0.90; p < 0.001). Significantly lower mortality after bariatric surgery was observed for both females and males. Mortality after surgery versus non-surgery decreased significantly by 29%, 43%, and 72% for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, respectively. The hazard ratio for suicide was 2.4 times higher in surgery compared with non-surgery participants (95% CI: 1.57-3.68; p < 0.001), primarily in participants with ages at surgery between 18 and 34 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced all-cause mortality was durable for multiple decades, for multiple bariatric surgical procedures, for females and males, and for greater than age 34 years at surgery. Rate of death from suicide was significantly higher in surgery versus non-surgery participants only in the youngest age at surgery participants.

The Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Cardiovascular Outcomes and Cardiovascular Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Obesity is a major public health problem that is associated with serious comorbidities and premature mortality. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality associated with obesity. Lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and weight reduction surgery are the major interventions to date available for obesity management. Bariatric surgery has been increasingly utilized as a therapeutic option for obesity. In this meta-analysis, we aim to assess the effects of bariatric surgery on CVD outcomes and cardiovascular mortality. This study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were searched until 03/01/2022. Our search included three types of bariatric surgery: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric banding (GB). All were searched in conjunction with "coronary artery disease," "ischemic heart disease," "myocardial infarction," "cerebrovascular accident," "stroke," "atrial fibrillation," "heart failure," "arrhythmias," and "mortality." We included 49 studies meeting the study criteria. Bariatric surgery showed a beneficial effect on coronary artery disease (CAD) (hazard ratio (HR) of 0.68 {95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52-0.91}, p = 0.008), myocardial infarction (MI) (HR of 0.53 {95% CI: 0.44-0.64}, p < 0.01) heart failure (HF) (HR of 0.45 {95% CI: 0.37-0.55}, p < 0.01), cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (HR of 0.68 {95% CI: 0.59-0.78}, p < 0.01), and cardiovascular mortality (HR of 0.48 {95% CI: 0.40-0.57}, p < 0.01). The effect on atrial fibrillation (AF) did not reach statistical significance: HR of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.65-1.01), p = 0.07. Our study, that is, an updated meta-analysis, including the three types of procedure, confirms beneficial effects on the major CVD outcomes, including coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, and heart failure, and on CVD mortality. This study provides updated insights into the long-term CV effects of bariatric surgery, an increasingly common intervention for obesity.

The effect of bariatric surgery in comparison with the control group on the prevention of comorbidities in people with severe obesity: a prospective cohort study

Background

Obesity is a global health priority, particularly in developing countries. The preventive effect of bariatric surgery against obesity-related diseases in the developing countries of the Middle East and North Africa region, where type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension (HTN), and dyslipidemia prevail, has not been examined.

Method

Severely obese participants who underwent bariatric surgery were compared with their counterparts who underwent no intervention. These patients had been followed up in two prospective cohort studies for three years. We here determined the incidence of new-onset T2DM, HTN, and dyslipidemia and reported absolute and relative risks for the incidence of these comorbidities in the two groups.

Results

In this study, 612 participants in the bariatric surgery group were compared with 593 participants in the control group. During the follow-up period, T2DM developed in eight (2.9%) people in the surgery group and 66 (15.0%) people in the control group (P < 0.001). New-onset HTN and dyslipidemia showed significantly lower frequencies in the surgery group compared to the control group (4 (1.8%) vs. 70 (20.4%) and 33 (14.3%) vs. 93 (31.5%), respectively). Regarding a less favorable metabolic profile in the surgery group at the baseline, the relative risk reductions associated with bariatric surgery were 94, 93, and 55% for the development of T2DM, HTN, and dyslipidemia, respectively.

Conclusion

The risk reduction of obesity-related comorbidities after bariatric surgery should be considered in the decision-making process for public health in the region, which bariatric surgery could result in the prevention of comorbidities.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12893-022-01740-7.

Baseline conditions and nutritional state upon hospitalization are the greatest risks for mortality for cardiovascular diseases and for several classes of diseases: a retrospective study

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate risk factors for 3-years mortality after hospital discharge in all inpatients admitted to a general hospital in Milano, Italy. A total of 2580 consecutive patients admitted to Ospedale San Paolo, July 1 to December 31, 2012, for several classes of diseases (internal medicine, cancer, infectious diseases, trauma and surgery, pneumonia, and heart diseases) were studied. Age, total disease, type of admission, length of admission, age-adjusted Charlson index, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and full blood count were evaluated. Univariate Cox models were used to evaluate the association between variables and death. Of the 2580 consecutive patients (age 66.8 ± 19.36 years, mean ± SD), 920 died within 3 years after discharge. At univariate analysis, all investigated variables, except sex and lymphocytes, were associated with patient death. Stepwise regression analyses revealed that the age-adjusted Charlson index or age plus total diseases, type of admission, number of admissions, and PNI were significant risk factors in the whole sample and in some classes of disease. Results were superimposable when considering death from date of admission instead of date of discharge, meaning that in-hospital death was not relevant to the total death count (115 out of 902). Seriousness of baseline conditions represents the major risk factor for mortality in most classes of disease, and possibly influences other predictors, such as type of admission and length of stay. This suggests that the current model of hospital admission might be improved, for instance, through comprehensive care at home, instead of hospital admission, or before admission.

Bariatric surgery for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus-current trends and challenges: a review article

Obesity has become an epidemic and has emerged as a serious ailment of global concern. Longstanding obesity may lead to several complications, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Considering the role of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in glycemic control, altering it would be relevant to the T2DM management algorithm. Bariatric surgery is a well-known surgical procedure that alters the GIT for managing T2DM among moderate to severely obese patients. T2DM remissions (adequate glycemic control without any other antidiabetic drugs) among the post-bariatric patients are due to weight loss related and weight loss unrelated pathophysiological mechanisms, including caloric intake restriction, increased insulin secretion, sensitivity, and malabsorption. Evidence suggests that bariatric surgeries among T2DM patients improved micro and macrovascular complications. Bariatric surgical procedures have more advantages of post-operative weight loss and glycemic control in biliopancreatic diversions than other available bariatric surgical procedures. Several concerns raised on the short and long-term risks associated with the bariatric surgery were nutritional deficiencies, psychological issues, GIT ulcers, and survival rates. Data related to follow-up of complications related to the above-stated risk are still elusive. According to some of the recently published studies, relapse of T2DM after remission is a worrying phenomenon among post-bariatric surgery patients, requiring more clinical trials and long-term follow-up on the relapsed patients. The effectiveness of reoperation among the relapsed patients also needs to be evaluated. Other unresolved issues related to bariatric surgery are patient compliance, cost-effectiveness, quality of life among post-bariatric patients, and the effectiveness of the post-operative holistic approach to avoid relapse. Future studies, especially randomized controlled trials, are recommended to resolve the existing controversies associated with bariatric surgery.

Sex-Specific Differences in Mortality of Patients with a History of Bariatric Surgery: a Nation-Wide Population-Based Study

PURPOSE

Bariatric surgery reduces mortality in patients with severe obesity and is predominantly performed in women. Therefore, an analysis of sex-specific differences after bariatric surgery in a population-based dataset from Austria was performed. The focus was on deceased patients after bariatric surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Austrian health insurance funds cover about 98% of the Austrian population. Medical health claims data of all Austrians who underwent bariatric surgery from 01/2010 to 12/2018 were analyzed. In total, 19,901 patients with 107,806 observed years postoperative were eligible for this analysis. Comorbidities based on International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-codes and drug intake documented by Anatomical Therapeutical Chemical (ATC)-codes were analyzed in patients deceased and grouped according to clinically relevant obesity-associated comorbidities: diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular disease (CV), psychiatric disorder (PSY), and malignancy (M).

RESULTS

In total, 367 deaths were observed (1.8%) within the observation period from 01/2010 to 04/2020. The overall mortality rate was 0.34% per year of observation and significantly higher in men compared to women (0.64 vs. 0.24%; p < 0.001(Chi-squared)). Moreover, the 30-day mortality was 0.19% and sixfold higher in men compared to women (0.48 vs. 0.08%; p < 0.001). CV (82%) and PSY (55%) were the most common comorbidities in deceased patients with no sex-specific differences. Diabetes (38%) was more common in men (43 vs. 33%; p = 0.034), whereas malignant diseases (36%) were more frequent in women (30 vs. 41%; p = 0.025).

CONCLUSION

After bariatric surgery, short-term mortality as well as long-term mortality was higher in men compared to women. In deceased patients, diabetes was more common in men, whereas malignant diseases were more common in women.

What Is the Role of Gut Microbiota in Obesity Prevalence? A Few Words about Gut Microbiota and Its Association with Obesity and Related Diseases

Obesity is becoming the most dangerous lifestyle disease of our time, and its effects are already being observed in both developed and developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of gut microbiota on the prevalence of obesity and associated morbidities, taking into consideration underlying molecular mechanisms. In addition to exploring the relationship between obesity and fecal microorganisms with their metabolites, the study also focused on the factors that would be able to stimulate growth and remodeling of microbiota. Assessed articles were carefully classified according to a predetermined criterion and were critically appraised and used as a basis for conclusions. The considered articles and reviews acknowledge that intestinal microbiota forms a multifunctional system that might significantly affect human homeostasis. It has been proved that alterations in the gut microbiota are found in obese and metabolically diseased patients. The imbalance of microbiome composition, such as changes in Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio and presence of different species of genus Lactobacillus, might promote obesity and comorbidities (type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, depression, obstructive sleep apnea). However, there are also studies that contradict this theory. Therefore, further well-designed studies are needed to improve the knowledge about the influence of microbiota, its metabolites, and probiotics on obesity.

Efficacy and Mechanisms of Gastric Volume-Restriction Bariatric Devices

Obesity is a chronic disease that affects over 795 million people worldwide. Bariatric surgery is an effective therapy to combat the epidemic of clinically severe obesity, but it is only performed in a very small proportion of patients because of the limited surgical indications, the irreversibility of the procedure, and the potential postoperative complications. As an alternative to bariatric surgery, numerous medical devices have been developed for the treatment of morbid obesity and obesity-related disorders. Most devices target restriction of the stomach, but the mechanism of action is likely more than just mechanical restriction. The objective of this review is to integrate the underlying mechanisms of gastric restrictive bariatric devices in obesity and comorbidities. We call attention to the need for future studies on potential mechanisms to shed light on how current gastric volume-restriction bariatric devices function and how future devices and treatments can be further improved to combat the epidemic of obesity.

Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Survival and Hospitalizations in Patients with Severe Obesity. A Retrospective Cohort Study

Bariatric surgery (BS) confers a survival benefit in specific subsets of patients with severe obesity; otherwise, effects on hospital admissions are still uncertain. We assessed the long-term effect on mortality and on hospitalization of BS in patients with severe obesity. This was a retrospective cohort study, including all patients residing in Piedmont (age 18-60 years, BMI ≥ 40 kg/m²) admitted during 2002-2018 to the Istituto Auxologico Italiano. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for BS were estimated for mortality and hospitalization, considering surgery as a time-varying variable. Out of 2285 patients, 331 (14.5%) underwent BS; 64.4% received sleeve gastrectomy (SG), 18.7% Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and 16.9% adjustable gastric banding (AGB). After 10-year follow-up, 10 (3%) and 233 (12%) patients from BS and non-BS groups died, respectively (HR = 0.52; 95% CI 0.27-0.98, by a multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression model). In patients undergoing SG or RYGB, the hospitalization probability decreased significantly in the after-BS group (HR = 0.77; 0.68-0.88 and HR = 0.78; 0.63-0.98, respectively) compared to non-BS group. When comparing hospitalization risk in the BS group only, a marked reduction after surgery was found for all BS types. In conclusion, BS significantly reduced the risk of all-cause mortality and hospitalization after 10-year follow-up.

Effects of bariatric surgery on kidney diseases, cardiovascular diseases, mortality and severe hypoglycaemia among patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery has been widely indicated for the management of obesity and related comorbidities. However, there are uncertainties pertaining to the risks of post-bariatric severe hypoglycaemia (SH), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), end-stage kidney diseases (ESKDs) and all-cause mortality in obese patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), especially among Asian populations.

METHODS

A retrospective population-based cohort of 1702 obese T2DM patients who were free of CVD and ESKD were assembled based on the 2006-17 Hospital Authority database. One-to-five propensity-score matching was used to balance baseline covariates between patients in bariatric surgery and control groups. Incidence rates (IRs) of SH, CVD, Stage 4/5 chronic kidney diseases (CKD), ESKD and all-cause mortality events for two groups were calculated. Hazard ratios (HR) for SH, CVD and Stage 4/5 CKD events were assessed using Cox-proportional hazard models. Changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) were measured up to 60 months.

RESULTS

Over a mean follow-up period of 32 months with 5725 person-years, cumulative incidences of mortality, CVD, Stage 4/5 CKD, ESKD and SH were 0, 0.036, 0.050, 0.017 and 0.020, respectively. The surgery group had a significant reduction in risk of CVD events (HR = 0.464, P = 0.015) and no occurrence of mortality events. However, there were no significant differences in risks of SH [HR = 0.469, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.204-1.081], Stage 4/5 CKD (HR =0.896, 95% CI: 0.519-1.545) and ESKD (HR = 0.666, 95% CI: 0.264-1.683) between two groups, although IRs were lower in the surgery group. Surgical patients had significantly higher eGFR within 12 months and had significantly lower UACR until 48 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Among obese T2DM patients, bariatric surgery lowered the risk of CVD and mortality, and was beneficial towards the kidney outcomes.

Association of metabolic-bariatric surgery with long-term survival in adults with and without diabetes: a one-stage meta-analysis of matched cohort and prospective controlled studies with 174 772 participants

BACKGROUND

Metabolic-bariatric surgery delivers substantial weight loss and can induce remission or improvement of obesity-related risks and complications. However, more robust estimates of its effect on long-term mortality and life expectancy-especially stratified by pre-existing diabetes status-are needed to guide policy and facilitate patient counselling. We compared long-term survival outcomes of severely obese patients who received metabolic-bariatric surgery versus usual care.

METHODS

We did a prespecified one-stage meta-analysis using patient-level survival data reconstructed from prospective controlled trials and high-quality matched cohort studies. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and MEDLINE (via Ovid) for randomised trials, prospective controlled studies, and matched cohort studies comparing all-cause mortality after metabolic-bariatric surgery versus non-surgical management of obesity published between inception and Feb 3, 2021. We also searched grey literature by reviewing bibliographies of included studies as well as review articles. Shared-frailty (ie, random-effects) and stratified Cox models were fitted to compare all-cause mortality of adults with obesity who underwent metabolic-bariatric surgery compared with matched controls who received usual care, taking into account clustering of participants at the study level. We also computed numbers needed to treat, and extrapolated life expectancy using Gompertz proportional-hazards modelling. The study protocol is prospectively registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42020218472.

FINDINGS

Among 1470 articles identified, 16 matched cohort studies and one prospective controlled trial were included in the analysis. 7712 deaths occurred during 1·2 million patient-years. In the overall population consisting 174 772 participants, metabolic-bariatric surgery was associated with a reduction in hazard rate of death of 49·2% (95% CI 46·3-51·9, p<0·0001) and median life expectancy was 6·1 years (95% CI 5·2-6·9) longer than usual care. In subgroup analyses, both individuals with (hazard ratio 0·409, 95% CI 0·370-0·453, p<0·0001) or without (0·704, 0·588-0·843, p<0·0001) baseline diabetes who underwent metabolic-bariatric surgery had lower rates of all-cause mortality, but the treatment effect was considerably greater for those with diabetes (between-subgroup I² 95·7%, p<0·0001). Median life expectancy was 9·3 years (95% CI 7·1-11·8) longer for patients with diabetes in the surgery group than the non-surgical group, whereas the life expectancy gain was 5·1 years (2·0-9·3) for patients without diabetes. The numbers needed to treat to prevent one additional death over a 10-year time frame were 8·4 (95% CI 7·8-9·1) for adults with diabetes and 29·8 (21·2-56·8) for those without diabetes. Treatment effects did not appear to differ between gastric bypass, banding, and sleeve gastrectomy (I² 3·4%, p=0·36). By leveraging the results of this meta-analysis and other published data, we estimated that every 1·0% increase in metabolic-bariatric surgery utilisation rates among the global pool of metabolic-bariatric candidates with and without diabetes could yield 5·1 million and 6·6 million potential life-years, respectively.

INTERPRETATION

Among adults with obesity, metabolic-bariatric surgery is associated with substantially lower all-cause mortality rates and longer life expectancy than usual obesity management. Survival benefits are much more pronounced for people with pre-existing diabetes than those without.

FUNDING

None.

Compared with Controls, Bariatric Surgery Prevents Long-Term Mortality in Persons with Obesity Only Above Median Age of Cohorts: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

Compared to medical treatment, bariatric surgery reduces long-term mortality in persons with obesity. Some studies indicate that the effect only applies to patients above median age of cohorts, not to younger patients. Our objective was to assess the role of age in the reduction of mortality (global mortality and mortality for specific causes) through bariatric surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data sources: PubMed, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and Embase.

STUDY SELECTION

studies reporting mortality in relation to median age of patients.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

pooled random effects of estimates of the risk of mortality in participants undergoing surgery compared with controls, as function of median age.

RESULTS

Mortality was lower in patients undergoing surgery than in controls (OR = 0.29, 95% CI 0.17-0.49). Below median age, the difference between surgery patients and controls was nonsignificant (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.57-1.06). Above median age, the difference was significant (OR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.12-0.44). In a subset of 5 studies, deaths due to various causes were less, and external causes-related deaths were more frequent in surgery than in controls. Below median age, deaths due to CVD were less frequent in surgery than in controls. Above median age, total deaths and deaths due to various causes (cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer, and other causes) were less in surgery than in controls. Publication bias was absent.

CONCLUSION

Compared with controls, bariatric surgery reduces long-term global mortality only above median age, not below median age. Also mortality due to specific causes is mainly reduced in persons above median age.

Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Cancer Risk: Evidence from Meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Weight loss after bariatric surgery yields important health benefits. A multitude of observational studies have investigated the association of bariatric surgery for severe obesity with the risk of cancer. However, the results were debatable. The aim of the present study was to estimate the effect of bariatric surgery on overall cancer risk.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies evaluating the association of bariatric surgery for severe obesity with the risk of cancer. Meta-analysis was performed to calculate combined prevalence.

RESULTS

Twenty-one cohort studies with 304,516 patients with obesity having under gone bariatric surgery and 8,492,408 patients with obesity as controls were included. Meta-analysis found decreased cancer risk to be associated with bariatric surgery (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.48-0.66), both for the incidence of cancer (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.46-0.68) and mortality of cancer (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.41-0.75). In subgroup analysis, bariatric surgery was significantly associated with decreased breast cancer risk and endometrial cancer risk, but not associated with other cancer risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis indicated that bariatric surgery for severe obesity was associated with decreased cancer risk, both for cancer incidence and mortality. Moreover, further studies estimating the functional effect and side effects may eventually provide a better, comprehensive understanding.

Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Following Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries, with worsening pandemics of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity as major cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Clinical trials of nonsurgical obesity treatments have not shown benefits in CVD, although recent diabetes trials have demonstrated major CV benefits. In many retrospective and prospective cohort studies, however, metabolic (bariatric) surgery is associated with substantial and reproducible CVD benefits. Despite a lack of prospective, randomized clinical trials, data suggest metabolic surgery may be the most effective modality for CVD risk reduction, likely through weight loss and weight loss-independent mechanisms.

Metabolic surgery: A clinical update

Metabolic and bariatric surgery has grown beyond 'experimental' weight-loss surgery. As techniques have advanced over the last few decades, so has the growing body of research and evidence, proving that both weight-loss and metabolic health improvement are induced. Metabolic surgery has become the more appropriate term for weight-loss surgery because of the altered gastrointestinal anatomy and subsequent beneficial metabolic effects. Although the tool of metabolic surgery has been well refined, a large portion of the global population does not have adequate access to it. This clinical update aims to (a) inform healthcare providers from all disciplines about the myriad of benefits of metabolic surgery and (b) equip them with the necessary knowledge to bridge the gap between patients in need of metabolic treatment and the therapies in metabolic surgery available to them.

All-Cause Mortality of Patients With and Without Diabetes Following Bariatric Surgery: Comparison to Non-surgical Matched Patients

OBJECTIVE

Data are sparse regarding the survival benefit of bariatric surgery on mortality among persons with diabetes. We aimed to investigate the association of bariatric surgery, compared with usual care, on all-cause mortality in individuals who underwent surgery and matched controls, stratified by the presence of diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study utilized population-based electronic medical record data. Individuals who underwent one of three types of bariatric surgery during 2005-2014 were included. For each surgical patient, three non-surgical individuals were matched according to age, sex, body mass index, and diabetes status. The cohort comprised 9564 individuals with diabetes and 23,976 individuals without diabetes.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 4.2 years, adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality for non-surgery vs. surgery were 2.38 (95%CI: 1.75, 3.26) and 1.73 (95%CI: 1.26, 2.36) among individuals with diabetes and individuals without diabetes, respectively. Considered separately, HRs for mortality for laparoscopic banding, gastric bypass, and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were 2.83 (95%CI: 1.73, 4.63), 2.30 (95%CI: 1.25, 4.25), and 1.89 (95%CI: 1.1, 3.32) among patients with diabetes; and 1.74 (95%CI: 1.20, 2.52), 2.66 (0.81, 8.76), and 1.16 (0.51, 2.65) among patients without diabetes.

CONCLUSION

The survival advantage of bariatric surgery after a median follow-up of 4.2 years was greater among individuals with than without diabetes for the three types of surgery performed. Longer follow-up is needed to examine the effect on survival in individuals without diabetes who undergo bariatric surgery. These results suggest priority considerations for bariatric surgery candidates.

Prevention of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease in Obesity

Obesity is one of the major risk factors for the development of both impaired glucose tolerance (IGT, or prediabetes) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), and its prevalence worldwide drives toward an increased rate of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Given the estimations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the recommendation of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), where IGT and diabetes are considered as risk factors for the development of cardiovascular complications and obesity, the development of diabetes should be treated because of its potential reversibility. In this view, several interventions such as diet, lifestyle changes, and pharmacological treatment are effective, including bariatric metabolic surgery (BMS), which is the most incisive way to efficiently lower body weight. In this review, we sought to summarize some of the major aspects linked to diabetes prevention in overweight/obesity, focusing on the use of surgery; we also attempted to elucidate molecular pathways involved in a variety of obesity-induced processes able to favor the progression of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and its complications.

Prior bariatric surgery and perioperative cardiovascular outcomes following noncardiac surgery in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: hint from National Inpatient Sample Database

Background

Both diabetes and obesity are risk factors for perioperative major adverse events. This study aims to evaluate the association between prior bariatric surgery (prior-BS) and perioperative cardiovascular outcomes following noncardiac surgery in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

We used the National Inpatient Sample Database to identify T2DM patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery from 2006 to 2014. The primary outcome was major perioperative adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), which include death, acute myocardial infarction and acute ischaemic stroke. In-hospital outcomes between patients with prior BS and morbid obesity were compared using unadjusted logistic, multivariable logistic and propensity score matching analyses.

Results

A weighted of 1,526,820 patients diagnosed with T2DM who underwent noncardiac surgery were included. The rates of both prior BS and morbid obesity significantly increased during the study period (P < 0.0001). Patients with prior BS were younger, were more likely to be female, and had lower rates of cardiovascular risk factors but had higher rates of smoking, alcohol abuse, anaemia, prior venous thromboembolism and prior percutaneous coronary intervention. The incidence of MACCEs was 1.01% and 3.25% in patients with prior BS and morbid obesity, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, we found that prior BS was associated with a reduced risk of MACCEs (odds ratio [OR] = 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62–0.81), death (OR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.52–0.78), acute kidney injury (OR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.62–0.70) and acute respiratory failure (OR: 0.46; 95% CI 0.42–0.50).

Conclusions

Prior bariatric surgery in T2DM patients undergoing noncardiac surgery is associated with a lower risk of MACCEs. Prospective studies are needed to verify the benefits of bariatric surgery in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Association of bariatric surgery with all-cause mortality and incidence of obesity-related disease at a population level: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous clinical trials and institutional studies have demonstrated that surgery for the treatment of obesity (termed bariatric or metabolic surgery) reduces all-cause mortality and the development of obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, and dyslipidaemia. The current study analysed large-scale population studies to assess the association of bariatric surgery with long-term mortality and incidence of new-onset obesity-related disease at a national level.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

A systematic literature search of Medline (via PubMed), Embase, and Web of Science was performed. Articles were included if they were national or regional administrative database cohort studies reporting comparative risk of long-term mortality or incident obesity-related diseases for patients who have undergone any form of bariatric surgery compared with an appropriate control group with a minimum follow-up period of 18 months. Meta-analysis of hazard ratios (HRs) was performed for mortality risk, and pooled odds ratios (PORs) were calculated for discrete variables relating to incident disease. Eighteen studies were identified as suitable for inclusion. There were 1,539,904 patients included in the analysis, with 269,818 receiving bariatric surgery and 1,270,086 control patients. Bariatric surgery was associated with a reduced rate of all-cause mortality (POR 0.62, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.69, p < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (POR 0.50, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.71, p < 0.001). Bariatric surgery was strongly associated with reduced incidence of T2DM (POR 0.39, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.83, p = 0.010), hypertension (POR 0.36, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.40, p < 0.001), dyslipidaemia (POR 0.33, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.80, p = 0.010), and ischemic heart disease (POR 0.46, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.73, p = 0.001). Limitations of the study include that it was not possible to account for unmeasured variables, which may not have been equally distributed between patient groups given the non-randomised design of the studies included. There was also heterogeneity between studies in the nature of the control group utilised, and potential adverse outcomes related to bariatric surgery were not specifically examined due to a lack of available data.

CONCLUSIONS

This pooled analysis suggests that bariatric surgery is associated with reduced long-term all-cause mortality and incidence of obesity-related disease in patients with obesity for the whole operated population. The results suggest that broader access to bariatric surgery for people with obesity may reduce the long-term sequelae of this disease and provide population-level benefits.

Hospitalization for heart failure incidence according to the transition in metabolic health and obesity status: a nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the hazard of hospitalization for heart failure (hHF) according to the transitions in metabolic health and obesity status.

METHODS

The Korean National Health Insurance Service datasets from 2002 to 2017 were used for this nationwide, longitudinal, population-based study. The hazard of hHF was analyzed according to the eight groups stratified by stability in metabolic health and transition in obesity status among initially metabolically healthy adults who underwent two cycles of health examinations in 2009-2010 and 2013-2014 (N = 7,148,763).

RESULTS

During two examinations, 48.43% of the initially metabolically healthy obese (MHO) individuals and 20.94% of the initially metabolically healthy non-obese (MHNO) individuals showed changes in their metabolic health and obesity status. During a mean follow-up of 3.70 years, 3151 individuals were hospitalized for HF. When stable MHNO individuals were set as the reference, transition to metabolically unhealthy phenotype was associated with an increased hazard of hHF; the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in the individuals who transformed from MHO to metabolically unhealthy non-obese was 2.033 (1.579-2.616). The constant MHO group had a 17.3% increased hazard of hHF compared with the stable MHNO group [HR (95% CI) 1.173 (1.039-1.325)]. Individuals who shifted from MHO to MHNO showed a 34.3% lower hazard of hHF compared with those who maintained the MHO category [HR (95% CI) 0.657 (0.508-0.849)].

CONCLUSION

Dynamic changes in metabolic health and obesity status were observed during a relatively short interval of 3-5 years. Loss of metabolic health was significantly associated with an increased hazard of hHF. Even if metabolic health was maintained, persistent obesity remained as a risk factor for hHF, and transition from MHO to MHNO had a protective effect against hHF. Therefore, the prevention and control of obesity while maintaining metabolic health would be crucial in preventing hHF.

Bariatric surgery to aLleviate OCcurrence of Atrial Fibrillation Hospitalization-BLOC-AF

Background

Obesity is associated with a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Weight reduction improves outcomes in patients known to have AF.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of heart failure (HF) or first-time AF hospitalization in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery (BAS) vs other abdominal surgeries.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using linked hospital discharge records from 1994–2014. Obese patients without known AF or atrial flutter (AFL) who had undergone abdominal hernia or laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery were identified for each case that underwent BAS (2:1). Clinical outcomes were HF, first-time hospitalization for AF, AFL, gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), and ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Outcomes were analyzed using conditional proportional hazard modeling accounting for the competing risk of death, adjusting for demographics and comorbidities.

Results

There were 1581 BAS cases and 3162 controls (48% age <50 years; 60% white; 79% female; mean CHA₂DS₂VASc score 1.6 ± 1.2) with follow-up of 66 months. Compared to controls, BAS cases had a significantly lower risk of new-onset AF (hazard ratio [HR] 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54–0.93) or HF (HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.60–0.91) but a higher risk of GIB (HR 2.1; 95% CI 1.5–3.0), with no differences in AFL, ischemic stroke, or hemorrhagic stroke. Reduction in AF improved as follow-up increased beyond 60 months.

Conclusion

In patients undergoing BAS, the risk of either HF or AF was reduced by ∼29% but with greater risk of GIB. The findings support the hypothesis that weight loss reduces the long-term risk of HF or incident AF hospitalization.

Determining changes in bone metabolism after bariatric surgery in postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND

Accelerated bone loss is a known complication after bariatric surgery. Bone mineral density has been shown to decrease significantly after Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) effects on bone density are largely unknown. This should be considered for those with increased preoperative risk for bone loss, such as postmenopausal females.

METHODS

This prospective clinical trial included postmenopausal patients, with BMI ≥ 35 k/m2, being evaluated for either RYGB or SG. Patients with history of osteoporosis, estrogen hormone replacement therapy, active smoking, glucocorticoid use, or weight > 295 lb were excluded. Patients underwent DEXA scans preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively with measurement of total body bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) as well as regional site-specific BMD and BMC.

RESULTS

A total of 28 patients were enrolled. 16 (57.1%) patients underwent RYGB and 12 (42.9%) patients underwent SG. Median preoperative BMI was 44.2 k/m2 (IQR 39.9, 46.6). Median change in BMI at 12 months was - 11.3 k/m2 (IQR - 12.8, - 7.9). A significant reduction in total body BMC was seen when comparing preoperative measurements to postoperative measurements (2358.32 vs 2280.68 grams; p = 0.002). Regional site BMC and BMD significantly decreased in the ribs and spine postoperatively (p = < 0.02) representing the greatest loss in the axial skeleton. Comparing those who underwent RYGB to SG there was no significant difference between the two groups when evaluating changes in total or regional site BMD.

CONCLUSION

Postmenopausal women were found to have decreased BMD and BMC after RYGB and SG, suggesting that high-risk women may benefit from postoperative DEXA screening. Further study is needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings. It is unknown if these changes in BMD are due to modifiable factors (Vitamin D level, activity level, hormone status, etc.), and whether BMD and BMC is recovered beyond 1 year.

Bariatric surgery, compared to medical treatment, reduces morbidity at all ages but does not reduce mortality in patients aged < 43 years, especially if diabetes mellitus is present: a post hoc analysis of two retrospective cohort studies

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Bariatric surgery (BS) reduces long-term mortality in comparison with medical treatment of obesity. Some studies indicate that this effect is significant for patients above mean age in different cohorts, but not for younger patients. These findings raise the question whether morbid obese patients should undergo BS as soon as possible, or whether patients might undergo surgery later in their life.

METHODS

We performed a post hoc analysis of two studies; we evaluated surgery-related long-term mortality in: (1) the whole cohort [857 surgery patients (163 diabetes) vs. 2086 controls (512 diabetes)]; (2) patients above mean age [> 43 years, 427 surgery patients (133 diabetes) vs. 1054 controls (392 diabetes)]; (3) patients below mean age [≤ 43 years, 432 surgery patients (30 diabetes) vs. 1032 controls (120 diabetes]. Then, we analyzed age-related long-term mortality in the whole cohort, as well as in surgery patients and in controls. Finally, we analyzed incident diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer) as a function of surgery versus no-surgery and of mean age.

RESULTS

Surgery patients, compared with controls receiving standard medical/dietary treatment, had reduced mortality in the whole cohort (HR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.33-0.62, p = 0.001) and in the study group aged > 43 years (HR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.28-0.56, p = 0.001), but not in the study group aged ≤ 43 years (HR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.42-1.80, p = 0.711). Reduced mortality was observed in non-diabetic and diabetic patients aged > 43 years (HR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.23-0.62, p = 0.001 and HR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.27-0.74, p = 0.002, respectively) who underwent bariatric surgery. In contrast, in patients aged ≤ 43 years, no significant protective effect of bariatric surgery appeared in non-diabetic patients (HR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.24-1.71, p = 0.371), and mortality increased, almost significantly, in diabetic patients aged < 43 years (HR = 2.87, 95% CI 0.96-8.56, p = 0.058), and even more in diabetic patients aged 33-43 years; HR = 4.99, 95% CI 1.18-21.09, p = 0.029). As expected, age-related mortality was increased in the whole cohort (HR = 7.23, 95% CI 5.14-10.17, p = 0.001), in non-diabetic and diabetic controls (HR = 8.55, 95% CI 5.77-12.68, p = 0.001, and HR = 3.76, 95% CI 1.97-7.18, p = 0.001, respectively). The effect of aging was slightly reduced in surgery patients (HR = 3.76, 95% CI 1.87-7.58, p = 0.001), while it was not significant in diabetic surgery patients (HR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.26-1.90, p = 0.88), further emphasizing that diabetes per se has a strong negative effect on survival, also with concomitant bariatric surgery. In a supplementary analysis, HRs did not change when surgery and control parents were matched for the presence of diabetes. Incident diseases (cardiovascular, diabetes, and cancer) were less frequent in surgery than in control patients, irrespective of age.

CONCLUSION

Bariatric surgery reduces long-term mortality in comparison with medical treatment when performed in patients aged > 43 years, but not in younger patients, where it is neutral or could even increase mortality; reduction in morbidity occurs at any age.

The pro-inflammatory marker soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (ST2) is reduced especially in diabetic morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

High soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2) is a marker of poor prognosis in chronic inflammatory conditions. ST2 and its ligand interleukin (IL)-33 are elevated in adipose tissue of obese individuals. We aimed to evaluate circulating sST2 and IL-33 as possible markers of metabolic benefit in morbidly overweight patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) bariatric surgery.

METHODS

sST2, IL-33, high sensitive IL-6, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), leptin, cholesterol metabolism and liver parameters were measured in 80 morbidly obese individuals before and 1 year after bariatric surgery.

RESULTS

sST2 was higher (P = 0.03) in diabetics as compared to individuals without diabetes. Baseline sST2 was also higher in males than in females (P= 0.0002). One year after bariatric surgery, sST2 levels were decreased (median 120, IQR 59-176 pg/mL) as compared to sST2 before surgery (median 141, IQR 111-181, P = 0.0024), and the diabetic group showed most pronounced reduction in sST2 (P = 0.0016). An association was found between sST2 and liver function parameters before and after bariatric surgery, and between baseline sST2 and total cholesterol, triglyceride, total low density lipoprotein (LDL), small dense LDL, Apolipoprotein B as well as with small dense high density lipoproteins (HDL). In the subgroup of diabetic patients positive correlation between IL-33 and sST2 (r = 0.44, P = 0.05) was noticed.

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating sST2 is associated with markers of liver functions and lipid metabolism in severely obese patients and a reduction of sST2 was shown after successful bariatric surgery, most prominently in diabetic patients.

Mechanisms of Weight Loss After Sleeve Gastrectomy and Adjustable Gastric Banding: Far More Than Just Restriction

Obesity has reached global epidemic proportions in recent decades. Bariatric surgery is currently accepted as most effective in alleviating morbid obesity and related disorders. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and adjustable gastric banding (AGB) have gained popularity since the beginning of this century because of their efficacy, safety, and simplicity. SG, in particular, has emerged as the most popular bariatric procedure because of its simpler concept and shorter operative time compared with gastric bypass. Caloric restriction, however, cannot account for the sustained weight loss and improved glucose metabolism seen following SG and AGB. Other mechanisms, including changes in gastrointestinal hormone secretion, rearrangement of hypothalamic and vagal control, alteration in energy expenditure, and re-regulation of bile acid metabolism and the intestinal flora environment, are thought to contribute to the postoperative benefits. This review focuses on clinical and experimental literature addressing the potential mechanisms for SG and AGB procedures in human and animal models. Understanding such mechanisms can provide important insight into how current gastric restrictive procedures work and how future treatments of obesity, both surgical and nonsurgical, can be developed.