Bariatric surgery produces similar results and poses similar risks for elderly and younger people, new study shows
SAN FRANCISCO, June 29, 2006 – Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension Resolve or Significantly Improve in Vast Majority. Despite having a higher number of obesity-related conditions prior to surgery, the safety and effectiveness of bariatric surgery for people 60 and older is comparable to those under 60, according to a new study. 31-12-2006
 Researchers from the Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania presented their findings today at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS). They reviewed data from 1,065 bariatric surgeries performed from 2001 to 2005 at a single institution. About 7.1 percent or 76 patients were 60 or older.
Elderly patients had on average about 10 obesity-related conditions including, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea, while those under 60 had about four. The older patients were also on an average of 10 prescription medications compared to five for the younger group.
After bariatric surgery, the elderly patients lost about half their excess body weight. Type 2 diabetes resolved or improved in 97.6 percent of older patients, while hypertension resolved or improved in 76 percent of patients. Prescription medications were reduced by half. Younger patients experienced similar weight loss and resolution and improvement of obesity-related conditions.
“This study shows that advancing age should not necessarily disqualify someone from this life-saving surgery,” said Anthony T. Petrick, MD, lead researcher of the study and director of minimally invasive surgery at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. “Whether you’re under 60 or over 60, the bariatric surgery can dramatically improve someone’s health and potentially prolong their life.”
The 90-day major and minor complication rates were about 10 percent and 21 percent respectively for seniors, and 6 percent and 11 percent for younger patients. The differences between the mortality and complication rates are not statistically significant.
As with any surgery, the risks and benefits should be carefully considered by the surgeon, the patient and the patient’s family. According to the ASBS, the average mortality rate in an ASBS Center of Excellence is 0.3 percent after 90 days based on an analysis of 33,000 patients. A 2004 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)* showed 0.1% mortality for laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) patients, 0.5% mortality for gastric bypass patients and 1% mortality for biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) and duodenal switch (DS) patients.
In 2005, the ASBS reported that an estimated 170,000 people in the U.S. had bariatric surgery. About 15 million or 1 in 50, adults in the U.S. have morbid obesity, which is associated with numerous other diseases and conditions including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, hypertension, asthma, cancer joint problems and infertility. The direct and indirect costs to the healthcare system associated with obesity are about $117 billion annually.
The ASBS is the largest organization for bariatric surgeons in the world. It is a non-profit organization that works to advance the art and science of bariatric surgery and is committed to educating medical professionals and the lay public about bariatric surgery as an option for the treatment of morbid obesity, as well as the associated risks and benefits. It encourages its members to investigate and discover new advances in bariatric surgery, while maintaining a steady exchange of experiences and ideas that may lead to improved surgical outcomes for morbidly obese patients. For more information about the ASBS visit www.asbs.org.
*Buchwald H, Avidor Y, Braunwald E, Jensen M, Pories W, Fahrbach K, Schoelles, Bariatric surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA, 2004,292:1724-57.
Source: www.asbs.org.
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