Authors' objectives:

This study aims to assess the effects of surgical interventions compared with behavioural, motivational, and psychological interventions on weight reduction in people with a body mass index of greater than 40.

Authors' recommendations: We found evidence from one systematic review of 15 randomised trials that surgical interventions may be more effective than non-surgical interventions or placebo for reducing weight in the short term in people with morbid obesity. Subsequent studies do not alter this conclusion. Patients health related quality of life may also be improved with surgery versus non-surgical interventions or placebo, although this conclusion is based on poor quality studies and must therefore be regarded as tentative. Surgery may be associated with important and sometimes severe adverse effects, and we found no evidence that beneficial effects persist in the long-term. None of the studies reported specifically on effects on mortality of surgical versus non-surgical treatments in people with morbid obesity. A forthcoming Cochrane review9 is awaited with interest but, in the absence of further higher quality primary studies, it is unlikely to significantly alter the main conclusions of this review.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.wihrd.soton.ac.uk

Year Published: 2001

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development

Contact Address: Pauline King. Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development, Boldrewood Medical School, Bassett Crescent East, Highfield, Southampton. SO16 7PX Tel. +44 1703 595661 Fax +44 1703 595662

Copyright: Bazian Ltd, Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development