BACKGROUND: Controversy exists with regard to the effectiveness and reasons for bariatric procedures in patients older than 60 years. The goal of our study was to determine the reduction in risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus after undergoing bariatric surgery in obese patients over age 60 at our institution.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with severe obesity (BMI >40 kg/m²) were retrospectively included in the study. Risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes at baseline and their reduction during the follow-up period were evaluated with the following selected, currently preferred risk algorithms: (1) the Systemic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) scale; (2) the Framingham Risk Score (of myocardial infarction or coronary death) for patients with no prior history of diabetes, coronary heart disease, or intermittent claudication; and (3) the Framingham Offspring Diabetes Risk Score, which estimates the 8-year risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

RESULTS: All 33 elderly patients (32 women and 1 man, mean age 62.3±2.7 (BMI 44.3±6.2 kg/m²) significantly reduced their risk levels. We observed a decrease in the 10-year risk of a first fatal cardiovascular event (3.5±0.5 vs. 2.4±0.5, absolute risk reduction [ARR] 1.0); reduced 10-year risk of myocardial infarction or death (5.0±1.6 vs. 3.25±1.6, ARR 1.7); and reduced predicted 8-year risk of developing type 2 diabetes (7.4±7.2 vs. 3.1±0.3, ARR 4.3). No intra- or postoperative complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a significant reduction in risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes, as measured by available risk scores, in elderly patients undergoing bariatric procedures.

Keywords: Bariatric Surgery, Cardiovascular Diseases, Health Services for the Aged, Risk Assessment, Body Mass Index, Coronary Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Follow-Up Studies, Obesity, Obesity, Morbid, Postoperative Complications, Risk Factors