(HealthDay News) – The LAP-BAND adjustable gastric banding system (LAGB) is safe and effective for obese individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30–39.9kg/m², according to a study published online May 2 in Obesity.
To examine the safety and effectiveness of the LAGB system for patients with a BMI of 30–39.9kg/m², Robert Michaelson, from Northwest Weight Loss Surgery in Everett, Wash., and colleagues recruited 149 subjects (90.6% female; mean BMI, 35.3kg/m²), who had failed prior weight loss attempts, from seven surgical centers.
The researchers found that, at one year, 84.6% of subjects achieved ≥30% excess weight loss (EWL), with a mean EWL of 65%. In addition, 66.4% of the participants were no longer obese (BMI, <30kg/m²). For 64.4% of those with dyslipidemia, 59.6% with hypertension, and 85.7% with diabetes, improvements were seen in baseline comorbidities at one year. There was also significant improvement in quality-of-life (IWQOL-Lite), with the results from year-one maintained or improved at two years. Each additional 10% weight loss at year-two correlated with a 7.1% increase in IWQOL-Lite, and with decreases of 13.7mg/dL in triglycerides; 3.5mg/dL in fasting glucose; and 3.3mmHg in systolic blood pressure. Adverse events were generally mild to moderate and resolved within one month.
“LAGB is a safe and effective treatment option for obese people with a BMI of 30–39.9, with weight loss and comorbidity improvement through ≥two years,” the authors write.
Allergan, the maker of the Lap-Band, designed and funded the study and performed statistical analysis of the data. Several authors disclosed financial ties to Allergan.
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