Is the Morbid Obesity Surgery Profitable in Times of Crisis? A Cost-benefit Analysis of Bariatric Surgery

Morbid obesity is a serious health problem whose prevalence is increasing. Expensive co-morbidities are associated to these patients, as well as a reduction in the survival. Bariatric surgery resolves the co-morbidities (type 2 diabetes mellitus, 86.6%; cardiovascular risk, 79.0%; obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, 83.6%; hypertension, 61.7%), reduces the mortality rate (among 31%–40%), and increases the morbid obese patients survival over a 10-years period. It provides significant savings for the National Health System. The obese patients consume a 20% plus of health resources and 68% plus of drugs than general population. Bariatric surgery requires an initial investment (diagnosis-related group cost: 7468€), but it is recovered in a cost-effectiveness ratio of 2.5 years. Significant savings are obtained from the third year. To the direct economic benefits associated with reduced health expenditures an increase in tax collection should be added (sick leave and unemployment reduction are estimated in 18%, with a productivity increase of 57% for self-employed people). Bariatric surgery is one of the most cost-effective procedures in the healthcare system.

ResumenLa obesidad mórbida es un problema grave de salud de prevalencia creciente que asocia costosas comorbilidades y reduce la supervivencia. La cirugía bariátrica (CB) además de resolver las comorbilidades (86,6% diabetes tipo 2; 79% riesgo cardiovascular; 83,6% apnea del sueño; 61,7% hipertensión arterial), reducir la mortalidad entre un 31–40% y aumentar la supervivencia de los obesos mórbidos 10 años, supone un importante ahorro al Sistema Nacional de Salud. Los obesos consumen un 20% más de recursos sanitarios y un 68% más de fármacos. La CB requiere una inversión inicial (grupos relacionados por diagnóstico: 7.468 €) que se recupera en un ratio coste-efectividad de 2,5 años y se consigue un ahorro significativo a partir del 3.er año. A la reducción directa de costes sanitarios se debería sumar el aumento en la recaudación de impuestos por reducción del 18% de paro y bajas y el aumento del 57% de la productividad de autónomos. La CB es una de las intervenciones más rentables del Sistema Nacional de Salud.