Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Medication Costs and Disease Burden in Obesity: A Retrospective Cohort Study
- Journal
- Obesity surgery (Q1)
- Published
- 14 August 2026
- Study design
- Retrospective cohort
- Evidence level
- Level 3, Low (CEBM 3b)
- Authors
- André Oliveira, Carolina Bulhosa, Pedro Apolónia, Margarida Borges, Eduardo Lima-da-Costa, Hugo Santos-Sousa, et al.
- PMID
- 42599584
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11695-026-08894-w
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery (paper of the day, 15 August 2026): Impact of bariatric surgery on medication costs
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a highly prevalent chronic disease associated with substantial morbidity, multiple comorbidities, and a significant burden on healthcare systems. Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is effective in achieving weight loss and improving obesity-related comorbidities, potentially reducing pharmacotherapy requirements and overall disease burden. Nevertheless, evidence from Portuguese real-world clinical practice remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to provide the first Portuguese evaluation of the impact of MBS on pharmacotherapy-related healthcare costs and on the prevalence and burden of obesity-associated comorbidities. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Annual pharmacotherapy costs and changes in the prevalence and burden of obesity-associated comorbidities, measured using Years Lived with Disability (YLD), were compared before and 3 years after surgery. RESULTS: Three years after MBS, the mean annual pharmacotherapy cost per patient decreased by €56.11 (p < 0.05). Reductions in medication costs were observed for antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, and antidiabetic therapies (all p < 0.05). The prevalence of obesity-related comorbidities also decreased, particularly hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and asthma (all p < 0.05). Correspondingly, the estimated burden of disease decreased, with mean YLD declining from 0.022 before surgery to 0.014 3 years after surgery (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Over 3 years of follow-up, MBS was associated with reductions in medication costs, the prevalence of obesity-related comorbidities, and overall disease burden. These findings highlight the clinical and economic benefits of MBS in the management of obesity and its associated conditions over the medium term.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.