Bariatric surgery: a cost-effective intervention for morbid obesity; functional and nutritional outcomes

Cost-effectiveness of bariatric and metabolic surgery, and implications of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom

Background

People living with obesity have been among those most disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the urgent need for increased provision of bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS).

Objectives

To evaluate the possible clinical and economic benefits of BMS compared with nonsurgical treatment options in the UK, considering the broader impact that COVID-19 has on people living with obesity.

Setting

Single-payer healthcare system (National Health Service, England).

Methods

A Markov model compared lifetime costs and outcomes of BMS and conventional treatment among patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m², BMI ≥ 35 kg/m² with obesity-related co-morbidities (Group A), or BMI ≥ 35 kg/m² with type 2 diabetes (T2D; Group B). Inputs were sourced from clinical audit data and literature sources; direct and indirect costs were considered. Model outputs included costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Scenario analyses whereby patients experienced COVID-19 infection, BMS was delayed by five years, and BMS patients underwent endoscopy were conducted.

Results

In both groups, BMS was dominant versus conventional treatment, at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £25,000/QALY. When COVID-19 infections were considered, BMS remained dominant and, across 1000 patients, prevented 117 deaths, 124 hospitalizations, and 161 intensive care unit admissions in Group A, and 64 deaths, 65 hospitalizations, and 90 intensive care unit admissions in Group B. Delaying BMS by 5 years resulted in higher costs and lower QALYs in both groups compared with not delaying treatment.

Conclusion

Increased provision of BMS would be expected to reduce COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality, as well as obesity-related co-morbidities, ultimately reducing the clinical and economic burden of obesity.

Self-Pay Payer Status Predicts Long-Term Loss to Follow-Up After Bariatric Surgery

PURPOSE

In spite of widespread recommendations for lifelong patient follow-up with a bariatric provider after bariatric surgery, attrition to follow-up is common. Over the past two decades, many programs have sought to expand access to care for patients lacking insurance coverage for bariatric surgery by offering "self-pay" packages; however, the impact of this financing on long-term follow-up is unclear. We sought to determine whether payer status impacts loss to follow-up within 1 year after bariatric surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Records of 554 consecutive patients undergoing bariatric surgery who were eligible for 1-year post-surgical follow-up between 2014 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Multiple logistic regression examined the relationship between demographics, psychological variables, payer status, and loss to follow-up.

RESULTS

Self-pay status more than tripled the odds of loss to follow-up (OR = 3.44, p < 0.01) at 1 year following surgery. Males had more than double the odds of attrition (OR = 2.43, p < 0.01), and members of racial and ethnic minority groups (OR = 2.51, p < 0.05) were more likely to experience loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-pay patients, males and members of racial and ethnic minority groups, may face additional barriers to long-term access to postoperative bariatric care. Further investigation is greatly needed to develop strategies to overcome barriers to and disparities in long-term post-surgical care for more frequently lost groups.

Timeline of Intestinal Adaptation After Malabsortive Surgery: Effect of Luminal Nutrients, Biliopancreatic Secretion, and Glutamine Supplementation

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to study the process of intestinal adaptation in the three limbs of the small intestine after malabsorptive bariatric surgery: the biliopancreatic limb, the alimentary limb, and the common channel. These limbs are exposed to different stimuli, namely, gastrointestinal transit and nutrients in the alimentary limb, biliopancreatic secretions in the biliopancreatic limb, and a mix of both in the common channel. We also wished to investigate the effect of glutamine supplementation on the adaptation process.

METHODS

Three types of surgery were performed using a porcine model: biliopancreatic bypass (BPBP), massive (75%) short bowel resection as the positive control, and a sham operation (transection) as the negative control. We measured the height and width of intestinal villi, histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity, and amount of HDC messenger RNA (mRNA) (standard diet or a diet supplemented with glutamine).

RESULTS

An increase in HDC activity and mRNA expression was observed in the BPBP group. This increase coincided with an increase in the height and width of the intestinal villi. The increase in villus height was observed immediately after surgery and peaked at 2 weeks. Levels remained higher than those observed in sham-operated pigs for a further 4 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

The intestinal adaptation process in animals that underwent BPBP was less intense than in those that underwent massive short bowel resection and more intense than in those that underwent transection only. Supplementation with glutamine did not improve any of the parameters studied, although it did appear to accelerate the adaptive process.

Endocrine and metabolic complications after bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery is the most effective therapeutic option for obese patients; however, it carries substantial risks, including procedure-related complications, malabsorption, and hormonal disturbance. Recent years have seen an increase in the bariatric surgeries performed utilizing either an independent or a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive procedures. We review some complications of bariatric procedures more specifically, hypoglycemia and osteoporosis, the recommended preoperative assessment and then regular follow up, and the therapeutic options. Surgeon, internist, and the patient must be aware of the multiple risks of this kind of surgery and the needed assessment and follow up.

AGE AND GENDER MAY INFLUENCE THE RESULTS OF ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS? Metabolic syndrome parameters

Context Severe obesity affects the body favoring the development of serious diseases, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis and non alcoholic fatty liver disease. Bariatric procedures increased in Brazil in the last decade. Objectives The purpose of this study was to verify if gender and age in date of procedure resulted significant differences in metabolic syndrome parameters after surgery. Methods The study involved 205 medical records of adult patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, stratified by gender and age groups and followed one year by a multidisciplinary team. Results It was observed significant decrease in body mass index, fasting glucose and insulin at all ages and both genders. Lipid profile showed significant improvements except high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Ectopic fat in the liver has decreased after 6 months in patients classified with steatosis at baseline. Patients classified as hypertensive blood pressure levels decreased 6 months after surgical intervention. Conclusions Roux-en-Y gastric bypass proved to be an important tool in remission of metabolic syndrome parameters. The reduction of body mass accompanied to decrease in insulin resistance resulted in lower prevalence of comorbidities associated with obesity. The benefits were similar and extended both genders and all age groups between 18 and 65 years old.

[Is the morbid obesity surgery profitable in times of crisis? A cost-benefit analysis of bariatric surgery]

Morbid obesity is a serious health problem whose prevalence is increasing. Expensive co-morbidities are associated to these patients, as well as a reduction in the survival. Bariatric surgery resolves the co-morbidities (type 2 diabetes mellitus, 86.6%; cardiovascular risk, 79.0%; obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, 83.6%; hypertension, 61.7%), reduces the mortality rate (among 31-40%), and increases the morbid obese patients survival over a 10-years period. It provides significant savings for the National Health System. The obese patients consume a 20% plus of health resources and 68% plus of drugs than general population. Bariatric surgery requires an initial investment (diagnosis-related group cost: 7,468 €), but it is recovered in a cost-effectiveness ratio of 2.5 years. Significant savings are obtained from the third year. To the direct economic benefits associated with reduced health expenditures it should be added an increase in tax collection (sick leave and unemployment reduction is estimated in 18%, with a productivity increase of 57% for self-employed people). Bariatric surgery is one of the most cost-effective procedures in the healthcare system.

Risk perception of obesity and bariatric surgery in patients seeking treatment for obesity

Bariatric surgery (BSx) produces clinically relevant weight loss that translates into improved quality of life, decreased mortality, and reduction in medical comorbidities, including cardiovascular (CV) risk. Little is known about patients' decision-making process to undergo BSx, but risk perception is known to influence medical decision-making. This study examined CV and BSx risk perception in obese subjects undergoing BSx (n = 268) versus those managed medically (MM) (n = 273). This retrospective population-based survey of subjects evaluated for BSx had 148 (55%) and 88 (32%) responders in the BSx and MM groups, respectively. Survey questions assessed risk perceptions and habits prior to weight loss intervention. CV risk was calculated using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS). At baseline, BSx subjects had a greater body mass index and greater prevalence of diabetes and depression. Follow-up mean weight loss was greater in the BSx group. BSx subjects perceived obesity as a greater risk to their overall health than the surgical risk. FRS declined in the BSx group (10 to 5%; p < 0.001) while there was no change in the MM group (8 to 8%; p = 0.54). Those without a measurable decrease in CV risk had a greater tendency to perceive the risk of BSx as greater than that of obesity. Obese subjects undergoing BSx are more likely than MM subjects to perceive obesity as a greater risk to their health than BSx. MM subjects generally underestimate their CV risk and overestimate the risk of BSx. Active discussion of CV risk using the FRS and the perception of risk associated with bariatric surgery can enhance patients' ability to make an informed decision regarding their management.

Bariatric surgery and bone disease: from clinical perspective to molecular insights

The use of bariatric surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity has increased annually for the last decade. Although many studies have demonstrated the efficacy and durability of bariatric surgery for weight loss, there are limited data regarding long-term side effects of these procedures. Recently, there has been an increased focus on the impact of bariatric surgery on bone metabolism. Bariatric surgery utilizes one or more of three mechanisms of action resulting in sustained weight loss. These include restriction (gastric banding, vertical banded gastroplasty and sleeve gastrectomy), malabsorption surgery with or without associated restriction (Roux en Y gastric bypass, duodenal switch, biliopancreatic diversion and jejunoileal bypass) and changes in gut-derived hormones that control energy metabolism also referred to as neuro-hormonal control of energy metabolism (Roux en Y gastric bypass, duodenal switch, biliopancreatic diversion, jejunoileal bypass, surgical procedures as above and gastric sleeve). Weight reduction has been associated with increased bone resorption but the mechanisms behind this have not yet been fully elucidated. Each of the mechanisms of action of bariatric surgery (restriction, malabsorption, neuro-hormonal control of energy metabolism) may uniquely affect bone resorption. In this paper we will review the current state of knowledge regarding the relationship between bariatric surgery and bone metabolism with emphasis on possible mechanisms of action such as malnutrition, hormonal interactions and mechanical unloading of the skeleton. Further, we suggest a future research agenda.