Cross-sectional analysis of the medium-term impact of bariatric surgery on pharmacological expenditure

Abstract Introduction Obesity and associated diseases represent an important health and economic problem since pharmacological treatment for many of these pathologies needs lifelong subsidies. Theoretically, bariatric and metabolic surgery decreases the medication requirements of patients for these diseases but may result in other types of pharmacological needs. This study aims to demonstrate whether there is a real decrease in pharmacological expenditure after bariatric surgery. Material and methods Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients who were treated in our centre between 2012 and 2015, comparing different associated comorbidities and pharmacological expenses one month before and 2 years after surgery. Results A total of 280 patients underwent surgery; 36.8% of patients had diabetes, 50% hypertension, 11.1% cardiovascular disease, 13.9% osteoarticular disease, 13.6% endocrine disorders, 30% non-diabetic metabolic disorders, and 35.4% psychiatric disease. At 2 years after surgery, 12.1% of patients continued medication for diabetes, and 28.2% for arterial hypertension. Additionally, 9.3% of patients still had cardiovascular disease, 7.1% osteoarticular disease, 10.4% endocrine disorder, 13.9% non-diabetic metabolic disorder, and 29.3% psychiatric disease. Median pharmacological expenditure before surgery was 17 euros per month; 2 years after surgery, it was 12 euros a month, resulting in a significant decrease (p  Conclusions In a 2-year follow-up after bariatric surgery, a decreased prevalence of obesity-related diseases and associated pharmacological expenditure was observed, showing the efficiency of this intervention over the medium term and potentially over the long term.