It was estimated that there were about 285 million people worldwide suffering from Diabetes type 2 in 2010. The World Health Organization regarded it as an epidemic, especially in developed countries. Diabetes is a very serious condition, given the fact that it can lead to many complications and even death, unless a healthy lifestyle is adopted.
People who are obese are more inclined to develop diabetes type 2. Diabetics who are obese are strongly advised to lose weight in order to improve their life quality.
A new study, published in JAMA Surgery proves that bariatric surgery could significantly improve the lifestyle of patients who suffer from diabetes type 2.
When a person develops diabetes, it is essential that he or she normalizes the body mass index (BMI), especially if this is higher than 40.
The trial carried out to prove this theory showed that bariatric surgery was much more successful than the mere lifestyle changes. The good results recorded by such an intervention could still be seen after three years.
“I do think it adds strongly to the growing body of data that [surgery] should be considered” to be a treatment option for obese people and those with diabetes type 2,” stated Anita Courcoulas, the lead author of the study and the Head of the Minimally Invasive Bariatric and General Surgery within the University of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine.
The study engaged 61 people who were obese. Two groups were created. The first one consisted of patients who would benefit from bariatric surgery and the other group consisted of patients who had to make considerable adjustments to their lifestyle.
It was shown that 40 percent of those who had a gastric bypass surgery and 29 percent of those who had a gastric band were reported to be in remission. Compared to these statistics, none of the participants belonging to the group who benefitted from intensive lifestyle change altered their status as diabetic patients.
This theory will be further tested for three to seven years. The researchers from the University of Pittsburg will team up with other researchers from the Joslin Diabetes Center and the University of Washington to work on the project.
According to other experts, it is more than weight loss that surgery provides for such patients. Even if more research needs to be carried out in this respect, it is clear that there are many benefits to bariatric surgery and that people who suffer from diabetes can have their lives changed completely after undergoing this type of intervention.
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