| Obesity surgery linked to higher rate of suicide and heart attack |
|
|
|
| Monday, 05 November 2007 | |
|
The study found that there were 440 deaths during the period, out of nearly 17,000 patients who had undergone the weight loss surgery. Among people in the age group of 25 to 34 years of age, the death rate for males and females were 13.8 and 5.0 per 1000 people per year for those who had undergone weight loss surgery, compared to a rate of 1.3 and 0.6 per 1000 people per year in the general population. Although the most common cause of death among those who had undergone weight loss surgery was coronary heart disease, there were 16 suicides, compared to an average of 3 suicides among a similar number of people in the general population. The study's author, Dr. Lewis H. Kuller proposes that the higher number of deaths among weight loss surgery patients could be reduced through better control of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes after surgery. He said other factors, such as smoking, and efforts to prevent weight regain by diet and exercise after surgery could reduce the mortality rate, while psychological support could treat depression and prevent suicide among weight loss surgery patients. Separately, a study by the Geisinger Health Care System has found that patients who lose between 5 and 10% of their body weight before undergoing weight loss surgery are more likely to experience faster and increased weight loss after the surgery. The study indicates that bariatric surgery is still a highly effective option for morbidly obese patients, with some experts commenting that successful weight loss prior to weight loss surgery is a good measure of a patient's compliance and chances of success following the operation. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
