New study affirms safety and efficacy of laparoscopic bariatric surgery in adults over 70
A new systematic review and meta-analysis, published in our journal Obesity Reviews, evaluates the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic bariatric surgery in patients aged 70 and older. The study reveals that bariatric surgery can offer weight loss and health benefits for older adults with obesity, with a low risk of major complications or mortality.
As the global population ages, the prevalence of obesity and related health issues in older adults continues to grow. This study, conducted by researchers from the University of Warmia and Mazury, investigates whether bariatric surgery, a proven intervention for weight management in younger adults, is also a viable option for septuagenarians.
The review analysed 14 studies encompassing 3,923 adults over the age of 70 who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery, primarily involving sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The design of these studies, insufficient data, and diversity of outcomes measured limited the type of analysis possible to mainly narrative synthesis.
Substantial weight loss and disease remission
Results demonstrated that one-year post-surgery, patients achieved an average excess weight loss (EWL) of 54.66%, a level indicating successful weight reduction and related health improvements. Additionally, many patients experienced improvements in obesity-related diseases.
At the last follow-up, around 50% of patients with diabetes, 36% with hypertension, 50% with gastroesophageal reflux, 36% with sleep apnoea, and 25% with hyperlipidaemia experienced remission, expressed by discontinuation of pharmacological treatments or reduction of doses.
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Low rates of complications and mortality
The study also assessed the safety of bariatric surgery in this age group. The overall major complication rate was approximately 2%, while the mortality rate was about 1%, indicating a relatively low risk given the older age and health complexity of the patient population.
Though risks were higher than in younger populations, the rates remain favourable for a demographic often assumed to face elevated surgical risks.
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Implications for older adults and healthcare
This review supports the potential benefits of offering bariatric surgery to carefully selected older adults, as the weight loss and disease remission seen in septuagenarians could contribute to improved independence and reduced health costs associated with obesity-related complications.
The researchers note that while age alone should not be a barrier, each patient should be assessed individually to balance the benefits of surgery with the unique risks in this age group. Further research will be necessary to clarify the place of bariatric surgery in the treatment of older adults and to assess its long-term impact on quality of life.
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World Obesity publishes four scientific, peer-reviewed journals, each focusing on a different area of obesity research: systematic reviews, pediatrics, clinical treatment, and science and practice.
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