A recent population-based cohort study (JH Kauppila et al. Gastroenterol 2019; 157: 19-27) examined the effects of bariatric surgery on survival from Nordic countries between 1980-2012.

Link: Effects of Obesity Surgery on Overall and Disease-Specific Mortality in a 5-Country Population-Based Study

Among 505,258 obese individuals, 49,977 had bariatric surgery.

Key findings:

• Overall mortality rates were lower in the surgery group during the first 14 years but higher after 15 years (HR 1.20 with CI 1.02-1.42).  Thus, overall, obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery had longer survival times than obese patients who did not have surgery.  Both groups had higher mortality than the general population
• The improved survival compared to those without surgery was related to decreased mortality from cardiovascular mortality, diabetes and cancer.  However mortality due to suicide was increased.
• Limitations: lack of detailed data including BMI, smoking and alcohol consumption

Graphical abstract (available online)

Related blog posts:

• Comparing Gastric Bypass Outcomes in Adolescents and Adults
• 12 Year Data: Pros and Cons of Bariatric Surgery
• How Often Do Children with Obesity Have a Fatty Liver?
• Should teenagers with severe NAFLD undergo bariatric surgery?
• Reaching Consensus on Bariatric Intervention in Children …
• Is a Three Year-Old Too Young for Bariatric Surgery …
• Treating diabetes with surgery | gutsandgrowth
• NAFLD Guidance from American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
• Psychology of obesity and food addiction | gutsandgrowth
• Staggering cost of obesity | gutsandgrowth