Among patients with obesity and compensated cirrhosis, bariatric surgery may significantly lower the risk of developing serious liver disease complications, according to a recent study by Cleveland Clinic researchers.
Compared with patients who received medical therapy alone, those who underwent bariatric surgery had a 72% lower risk of developing serious complications of liver disease and an 80% lower risk for progression to decompensated cirrhosis.
The results could have major implications for patients with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH), particularly given that about 20% of patients with MASH progress to cirrhosis, the researchers said.
“Currently, lifestyle intervention is the only therapeutic recommendation for compensated MASH-related cirrhosis,” said Steven Nissen, MD, the senior…