Osteoarthritis symptoms improve in three-quarters of people who have weight loss surgery

Key patient characteristics that can indicate who is most and least likely to see improvement in pain and walking ability in the three years after weight loss surgery have been outlined at the annual international conference of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery and The Obesity Society.
It is hoped the findings will allow clinicians to identify people who may need extra interventions to improve outcomes.

The team followed 2,221 people in the US undergoing weight-loss surgery. Over the three year study:

• 50–70% of adults with severe obesity who had bariatric surgery had improvements in pain, physical function and usual walking speed;
• About three-quarters of people with severe knee and hip pain or disability before surgery had improvements in symptoms indicative of osteoarthritis;
• Over half of people who had a mobility deficit before surgery did not after surgery;
• Older age, lower income, more depressive symptoms and pre-existing medical conditions (such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes before surgery) meant a lower likelihood of improvement in pain and mobility after surgery;
• Greater weight loss, greater reduction in depressive symptoms and remission or improvement in other medical conditions were associated with greater likelihood of improvement after surgery.

“Our study found that clinically meaningful improvements in bodily pain, specific joint pain and both perceived and objectively measured physical function are common following bariatric surgery,” explains Dr Wendy King, who led the study. “In particular, walking is easier, which impacts patients’ ability to adopt a more physically active lifestyle. However, some patients continue to have significant pain and disability. Our hope is that these data will help patients and clinicians develop realistic expectations regarding the impact of bariatric surgery on these aspects of their lives.”

For more in-depth features, interviews and information, subscribe to Arthritis Digest magazine, a popular title that’s published six times a year. Click here for the digital version or tel 0845 643 8470 to order your had copy. You’ll know what your doctor is talking about, what new drugs are in the pipeline and be up to date on helpful products

Image credit: Fimb