A new study from Israel has shed light on the potential mortality benefits of bariatric surgery compared to first-generation GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Victoza and Trulicity) for individuals with obesity and diabetes. The research, which analyzed data from over 6,000 patients, found that for those with a diabetes duration of 10 years or less, bariatric surgery was associated with a 62% lower risk of mortality compared to GLP-1 drugs.
However, this survival advantage was largely attributed to the greater weight loss achieved with bariatric surgery, as the difference became non-significant after adjusting for the maximal change in body mass index (BMI). For patients with a diabetes duration exceeding 10 years, bariatric surgery did not provide a significant mortality benefit over GLP-1 agonists, despite leading to greater long-term BMI reduction.
Importantly, the study did not include newer, more potent GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, which are known for their substantial weight-loss effects. The researchers noted that comparing individual types of bariatric surgeries and GLP-1 drugs could provide additional insights.
While both treatments aim to address obesity and diabetes, this study suggests that bariatric surgery may offer a more significant mortality benefit, particularly for those with a shorter duration of diabetes, likely due to the greater weight loss achieved through surgical intervention.
