A meta-analysis exploring the effect of age on weight loss following a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
Abstract
Obesity is a grave concern within the United States, resulting in lost productivity, increased medical costs and obesity related comorbidities with lifelong repercussions. The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a treatment option for obesity and is performed in both adolescents and adults. Outcomes in the adolescent and adult are typically reported separately. A meta-analysis was conducted combining adolescent and adult literature to determine the overall effect of the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and to explore age, biological sex and baseline BMI as moderating variables. The laparoscopic sleeve was effective at facilitating weight loss postoperatively. Age, biological sex and baseline BMI were not found to influence outcomes; however, there were limitations including a paucity of adolescent data. Changes in comorbidities following weight loss after the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were unable to be examined due to a lack of reporting in primary studies and inconsistent definitions. Attrition was a barrier to assessing long term outcomes across studies. Further research is warranted to investigate long term outcomes and changes in comorbidities following the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Additionally, standardization in reporting methods should occur when defining obesity related comorbidities.
Degree
Ph. D.