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Gastric Bypass in Older Patients: Complications, Weight Loss, and Resolution of Comorbidities at 2 Years in a Matched Controlled Study

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Abstract

Background

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has recently been authorized for use in older patients. The objective of this single-center study was to evaluate 2-year weight loss in patients ≥60 years compared with younger matched patients undergoing RYGB. Secondary aims were to record complications and the resolution of comorbidities in a 2-year follow-up.

Methods

Of 722 patients with at least 2 years follow-up data, 48 elderly patients were matched with 92 young (<40 years) and 96 middle-aged (40–59 year) patients, according to sex, baseline body mass index, and date of surgery. Weight loss, remission of comorbidities, death, and early (30-day) and 2-year complication rates were compared.

Results

There were three deaths in the elderly group and none in the other groups. The early complication rate was not significantly different in the elderly group (17.8 %) compared with the young (11.5 %, p = 0.637) and middle-aged (13.7 %, p = 1.000) groups. The 2-year complication rates were not significantly different in the elderly group (9.3 %) compared with the young (23.5 %, p = 0.107) and middle-aged (13.2 %, p = 1.000) groups. The 2-year weight loss was lower in the elderly group (31.8 ± 7.2 %; p < 0.001) than in the young group (38.3 ± 6.9 %) but was not significantly different from that in the middle-aged group (34.4 ± 8.0 %; p = 0.145). Remission rates for diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea were lower in the elderly than in the two younger groups.

Conclusion

After bariatric surgery, major weight loss was observed in patients older than 60, but remission of metabolic comorbidities was less marked than in younger subjects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UMR1048 INSERM, Obesity Research Laboratory, Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), University of Toulouse III, Toulouse, France

    Emilie Montastier

  2. Department of Nutrition, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France

    Emilie Montastier & Patrick Ritz

  3. Clinique de l’Anjou, Bariatric Surgery Department, Angers, France

    Guillaume Becouarn & Philippe Topart

  4. Department of Epidemiology, Health Economics and Public Health, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France

    Emilie Bérard

  5. UMR1027 INSERM-University of Toulouse III, Toulouse, France

    Emilie Bérard & Patrick Ritz

  6. Gérontopôle, Toulouse University Hospital; UMR1027, INSERM-University of Toulouse III, Toulouse, France

    Sophie Guyonnet

Authors
  1. Emilie Montastier
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  2. Guillaume Becouarn
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  3. Emilie Bérard
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  4. Sophie Guyonnet
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  5. Philippe Topart
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  6. Patrick Ritz
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrick Ritz.

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Conflict of Interest

EM, EB, SG, and PR have no conflicts of interest related to this work. PT received an honorarium for consultancy and teaching from Baxter, Medtronic, Ethicon, and Olympus unrelated to bariatric surgery in the elderly. GB receives an honorarium for consultancy and teaching from Covidien, Ethicon, and Olympus unrelated to bariatric surgery in the elderly.

Ethical Approval

For this type of study formal consent is not required.

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Does not apply.

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Montastier, E., Becouarn, G., Bérard, E. et al. Gastric Bypass in Older Patients: Complications, Weight Loss, and Resolution of Comorbidities at 2 Years in a Matched Controlled Study. OBES SURG 26, 1806–1813 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-015-2024-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-015-2024-9

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