Johnson and Johnson [JNJ] : Therapeutic Benefits of Bariatric Surgery on Diabetes Translate into Significant Economic Benefits

October 12, 2010 - Surgical Therapy Effective and Less Expensive than leaving Obese Patients with Diabetes on standard therapy – New data presented at Obesity 2010, the 28th annual scientific meeting of The Obesity Society, find that bariatric surgery is associated with reduced healthcare costs for diabetes patients who are morbidly obese. The study, conducted by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), and Analysis Group, Inc., shows that costs associated with bariatric surgery are fully recovered in two to three years post-surgery, and a significant reduction in diabetes diagnostics claims and diabetes medication claims occurs post-surgery. The study, Economic Impact of the Clinical Benefits of Bariatric Surgery in Diabetes Patients With BMI ≥35 kg/m2, also was published in last month’s online edition of Obesity (link to abstract of study in Obesity).

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health concern in the United States—and other parts of the world—because of its prevalence, considerable morbidity and mortality and economic burden. Diabetes is associated with serious complications, including coronary heart disease, kidney failure, neuropathy, blindness and amputation, and was the seventh leading cause of death in 2006, accounting for more than 72,000 deaths.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases.1 Obesity is a major risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, and the risk of diabetes increases directly with body mass index (BMI). Results of a 2004 meta-analysis of more than 20,000 patients who had bariatric surgery showed that diabetes was completely resolved in 76.8 percent of patients, and resolved or improved in 86 percent, following surgery.

“Weight loss is an important therapeutic goal in obese patients with type 2 diabetes, because even moderate weight loss—5 percent—improves hepatic insulin sensitivity and reduces glucose production by the liver,” says Samuel Klein, M.D., director, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. “Bariatric surgery is the most effective available weight-loss therapy and has considerable beneficial effects on diabetes and other obesity-related comorbidities.”... Johnson & Johnson's Press Release -