Reuters August 25, 2008

Last researches show that metabolic syndrome that increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes in obese patients can be treated by gastric bypass surgery.

Dr Fransisco Lopez-Jimenez and his colleagues from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, evaluated patients for the bypass surgery. The patients met at least three out of five criteria such as: low levels of high-density lipoprotein �good� cholesterol, increased blood pressure, high levels of “bad� fat, obesity and high blood sugar levels.

Two groups of patients took part in the research: one of them including 180 patients who had a gastric bypass surgery and the other one (157 patients) who did not. The reasons for that were: they did not have lifestyle interventions during the evaluation, were denied coverage by insurance provider or declined surgery.

Both groups had their BMI (body mass index) checked and it was 49 for the first and 44 for the second group. A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 14.9.

During the usual 3-4 years follow up after the surgery, researches showed that in the group that had the gastric bypass surgery, the metabolic syndrome decreased from 87% to 29%. In the group that did not have the surgery there was a change from 85% to 75%.

When it comes to the weight loss, the surgical group lost 44 lbs in average whereas the non-surgical group – 0.2 lbs.

“Our study provides robust data to practicing clinicians about the benefits of counseling weight reduction in metabolic syndrome patients,” Lopez-Jimenez said. “Gastric bypass surgery should be considered as a treatment option in patients with metabolic syndrome that has not responded to conservative measures” he adds.