Efficacy and safety of metabolic bariatric surgery in patients aged ≥55 years: a multicenter retrospective cohort study in East Asians

Abstract

Purpose: Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) efficacy and safety is established for older patients, but East Asian data are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MBS by comparing older )>= 55 years) and younger )<55 years) East Asian patients with obesity. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective review included 410 patients undergoing MBS from January to December 2019. Patients were stratified into the older group )OG, age >= 55 years; n = 39) and the younger group )YG, age <55 years; n = 371). We compared surgical safety, weight parameters, and comorbidity resolution rates. Results: The OG had lower mean body weight )97.9 +/- 16.4 kg vs. 113.2 +/- 23.1 kg, P < 0.001) but more comorbidities and lower average ABCD score fortype 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remission. Postoperative complication rate )12.8% vs. 7.5%, P = 0.400) and postoperative hospital stay )4.1 +/- 1.8 days vs. 4.0 +/- 8.9 days, P = 0.773) showed no significant differences. At 12 months, the percentage of total weight loss was significantly lower in the OG )23.7 +/- 6.9% vs. 27.8 +/- 8.4%, P = 0.014). Remission rates for T2DM )47.6% vs. 80.5%, P < 0.001), hypertension )34.6% vs. 57.5%, P = 0.073), and dyslipidemia )12.5% vs. 44.4%, P = 0.012) were also lower in the OG, yet still demonstrated clinically meaningful metabolic improvement. Conclusion: MBS is a safe and effective treatment for older East Asians with obesity, offering substantial comorbidity resolution despite achieving a lowerweight loss compared to the younger patients.