An economic modeling study has shown that for individuals with severe obesity and diabetes, gastric bypass surgery offered the most value for their money over time.

According to the study published in JAMA Network Open, over a 5-year period, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) was tied to the most quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) gained (mean 0.44 QALY), compared with traditional medical treatment for the average patient with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes. On stratifying by baseline diabetes severity, it was noted that people with milder disease gained more quality of life with RYGB, with mean 0.59 QALY gained in case of mild disease, mean 0.50 QALY gained with moderate disease, and mean 0.30 QALY gained in case of severe disease.

Additionally, investigators noted that RYGB was cost-effective compared to medical treatment for the general patient population with severe obesity and diabetes, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $46,877 per QALY gained at an 83% likelihood of being the preferred treatment intervention… (Medpage Today)