Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is
the most common chronic liver disease in the US, affecting more than 30% of
adults. It is characterized by hepatic steatosis in the absence of
substantial alcohol consumption, long-term use of steatogenic drugs, or genetic
disorders.
Reporting their results in JAMA
Network researchers from State
University, reported that obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery were
nearly 50 percent less likely to develop adverse cardiovascular events such as
heart attacks, angina or strokes.
The findings provide evidence in support of
bariatric surgery as an effective therapeutic tool to lower elevated risk of
cardiovascular disease for select individuals with obesity and Nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease.
In the study, researchers analyzed outcomes
data, using the MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters medical insurance
database, from 2007 to 2017. Of 230 million covered individuals, 86,964 adults
between the ages of 18 and 64 who had obesity and Nonalcoholic fatty liver
disease were identified. Of those, 68 percent of the study group were female,
35 percent underwent bariatric surgery and 65 percent received nonsurgical
care.
Bariatric surgery patients experienced a 49
percent decrease in the risk of developing major cardiovascular events such as
heart attacks, heart failure or ischemic strokes. They were also far less
likely to experience angina, atherosclerotic events or arterial blood clots.
Although bariatric surgery is a more
aggressive approach than lifestyle modifications, it may be associated with
other benefits, such as improved quality of life and decreased long-term health
care burden, ended the researchers.
Reference:
Bariatric surgery decreases risk
of heart disease; JOURNAL-JAMA Network Open, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.35003.