The effect of bariatric surgery in comparison with the control group on the prevention of comorbidities in people with severe obesity: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundObesity is a global health priority, particularly in developing countries. The preventive effect of bariatric surgery against obesity-related diseases in the developing countries of the Middle East and North Africa region, where type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension (HTN), and dyslipidemia prevail, has not been examined.MethodSeverely obese participants who underwent bariatric surgery were compared with their counterparts who underwent no intervention. These patients had been followed up in two prospective cohort studies for three years. We here determined the incidence of new-onset T2DM, HTN, and dyslipidemia and reported absolute and relative risks for the incidence of these comorbidities in the two groups.ResultsIn this study, 612 participants in the bariatric surgery group were compared with 593 participants in the control group. During the follow-up period, T2DM developed in eight (2.9%) people in the surgery group and 66 (15.0%) people in the control group (P ConclusionThe risk reduction of obesity-related comorbidities after bariatric surgery should be considered in the decision-making process for public health in the region, which bariatric surgery could result in the prevention of comorbidities.