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Effects of bariatric surgery on mortality in Swedish obese subjects
Lars Sjöström1, Kristina Narbro, C David Sjöström
1Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden. lars.sjostrom@medfak.gu.se
The New England Journal of Medicine
|August 24, 2007
Summary
Bariatric surgery for severe obesity leads to significant long-term weight loss. This intervention is associated with a reduction in overall mortality compared to conventional treatments.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Metabolic Disorders
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Obesity is a significant risk factor for increased mortality.
- While weight loss improves cardiovascular health, evidence on its impact on overall mortality from prospective studies is limited.
- Observational studies have paradoxically linked weight reduction with higher mortality rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of bariatric surgery on overall mortality in obese individuals.
- To compare mortality rates between obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery and those receiving conventional treatment.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, controlled Swedish Obese Subjects study involving 4047 obese participants.
- Comparison between 2010 subjects who underwent bariatric surgery and 2037 matched controls receiving conventional treatment.
- Follow-up for an average of 10.9 years, with vital status known for 99.9% of subjects.
Main Results:
- Bariatric surgery resulted in substantial weight loss (e.g., 25% at 10 years for gastric bypass).
- The surgery group experienced 101 deaths, while the control group had 129 deaths.
- The adjusted hazard ratio for overall mortality was 0.71 (P=0.01) in favor of the surgery group.
Conclusions:
- Bariatric surgery is an effective intervention for achieving long-term weight loss in severely obese patients.
- Surgical intervention for severe obesity is associated with a significant decrease in overall mortality.
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