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Weight loss surgery leads to improved liver health |
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Monday, 19 November 2007 |
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A study conducted by the University of Texas indicates that the damaging effect on the liver of excess fat can be reversed by weight loss surgery, otherwise known as bariatric surgery. The study indicates that few patients experience a deterioration in liver health, while the majority of patients who undergo bariatric surgery see at least a stabilisation or improvement in their liver health.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition among people who are morbidly obese, sometimes resulting in the more serious condition known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an inflammation of the liver that can often require a liver transplant. The study, led by Dr. Raj Mummadi, of the University of Texas Medical Center, set out to examine the outcome of NASH among morbidly obese patients who had undergone weight loss surgery through a bariatric procedure.
The team examined the cases of 762 patients, of whom 568 had NASH. Of these patients with NASH, 50.21% saw a complete resolution of the condition, while in total, 80.1% experienced an improvement in their liver health and a reduction in the condition. Only 2.9% of patients saw any further deterioration in the condition.
The tests were conducted by obtaining liver biopsies from patients between 8 and 41 months after undergoing bariatric surgery. Looking purely for scarring of the liver, 41.79% showed an improvement, 25.37% showed a stabilisation, and 16.41% had a worsening in the condition. From this, the study authors concluded that the health of the liver is improved as a result of the resolution of inflammation, or liver scarring.
We feel we have laid to rest any concerns of liver health deteriorating after bariatric surgery as so few patients experienced this while the majority experienced improvement or no change in regard to the health of their livers.
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