Bariatric surgeons in Bahrain and across the GCC should brace for a ‘tsunami of metabolic surgery patients’ as growing numbers of people in the region are expected to seek surgical solutions for obesity in the coming years, a forum heard.
Professor Philip Schauer, a leading US expert in metabolic surgery, noted that while the recent availability of obesity medications has made treatment more accessible, limitations such as side effects and incomplete efficacy could drive more patients towards surgical interventions in future.
He made the remarks while delivering a keynote speech at the eighth Gulf Obesity Surgery Society (GOSS) International Conference, which concluded yesterday at the Gulf Convention Centre in Manama.
He said surgeons in Bahrain and the GCC must embrace what he described as multi-modal integrated care – a holistic healthcare approach that combines multiple therapeutic methods to address a person’s complete health needs in a co-ordinated and effective way.
In clinical practice, multi-modal care involves using different types of therapies together to optimise treatment outcomes.
“More people are entering treatment for obesity than ever before, not just in the GCC, but also in countries such as the US,” said Dr Schauer from the Pennington Biomedical Research Centre, in Louisiana, US.
“This is partly due to the rising use of anti-obesity medication, which in some cases has seen weight loss of about five per cent to 25pc depending on the patient and severity.
“In contrast, lifestyle changes contribute to just between 5pc and 10pc. If necessary, metabolic surgery can see a weight loss of up to 35pc, and if we can combine some of these methods together, we might see up to 40pc weight loss.
“With treatment options becoming more accessible than ever, surgeons in Bahrain and the GCC are about to face a tsunami of potential metabolic surgery patients,” he added.
Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss or metabolic surgery, is a procedure that modifies the digestive system to aid long-term weight loss for individuals with severe obesity. Common types include sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and gastric banding, which work by restricting food intake or altering nutrient absorption.
The surgery is often considered for those with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or 35 or higher with obesity-related health problems, who have not been successful with other weight loss methods. Success requires lifestyle changes, including diet modifications, exercise and regular follow-up care.
Dr Schauer explained that surgeons in the region should treat obesity on a case-by-case basis, using what he describes as an obesity and diabetes treatment pyramid.
He recommended that patients with less severe cases could start with dietary changes and increased physical activity. Those with moderate severity should consider pharmacotherapy (use of medication), and those with severe obesity should be referred for surgery.
He said in the next few years, millions of people worldwide will seek obesity treatment, especially surgery, as medication may not be adequate for some patients due to certain factors.
“Patients may suffer from side-effects from the medications, meaning they could be off the table,” said Dr Schauer.
“Additionally, costs may be a factor, as medication may not necessarily be cheap, or people could just not afford it.
“There is also the issue of efficacy – patients may not end up getting the results they wanted.
“It is also important to ensure the weight-loss is long term and some medication may only end up yielding short-term results.
“Therefore, the next logical step is metabolic surgery, which is safe, effective and durable. Surgeons in the region should be prepared to do more of them over the next few years.”
Obesity is a major public health issue in the GCC, with rates significantly higher than the global average, driven by increased consumption of fast food, sugary drinks and sedentary lifestyles.
Kuwait reportedly has the highest rate of obesity (26pc male, 48pc female), followed by Saudi Arabia (28pc male, 44pc female), the UAE (25pc male, 42pc female) and Qatar (19pc male, 32pc female), and then finally Oman (8pc male, 17pc female).
According to the World Health Organisation, obesity is a ‘significant public health concern’ in Bahrain too and is increasing annually. In 2022, 36.13pc of adults in Bahrain had a BMI of 30 or higher, and the rate has been increasing for 30 years. The obesity rate is higher in women (38pc) compared to men (21pc).
Obesity increases the risk of serious health dangers, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and several types of cancer. It can also lead to musculoskeletal problems like osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and mental health issues like depression. These conditions can lead to premature death.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))