TUESDAY, May 7 (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 to 39.9 kg/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 to 39.9 kg/m², Robert Michaelson, from Northwest Weight Loss Surgery in Everett, Wash., and colleagues recruited 149 subjects (90.6 percent female; mean BMI, 35.3 kg/m²), who had failed prior weight loss attempts, from seven surgical centers.
The researchers found that, at one year, 84.6 percent of subjects achieved ≥30 percent excess weight loss (EWL), with a mean EWL of 65.0 percent. In addition, 66.4 percent of the participants were no longer obese (BMI, <30 kg/m²). For 64.4 percent of those with dyslipidemia, 59.6 percent with hypertension, and 85.7 percent 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 percent weight loss at year-two correlated with a 7.1 percent increase in IWQOL-Lite, and with decreases of 13.7 mg/dL in triglycerides; 3.5 mg/dL in fasting glucose; and 3.3 mm Hg 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 to 39.9, with weight loss and comorbidity improvement through at least 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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