Health

Seniors have greater risk from bariatric surgery

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 18, 2006

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Bariatric surgery patients older than 65 have a higher risk of complications and death than do those who are younger, according to a study published in the November Archives of Surgery.

Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas analyzed 2001 and 2002 data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's National Inpatient Sample. Fewer than 1% of patients younger than 65 died from the procedure, but more than 3% of those older than 65 did. About 32% of those older than 65 had an adverse event, but only 8% of those who were younger and not on Medicare had one.

The authors concluded that older patients should avoid this operation. "Limiting bariatric surgical procedures to those younger than 65 years is warranted," they wrote.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/12/18/hlbf1218.htm.

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