The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published a health technology assessment (HTA) recommending the introduction of a metabolic surgery programme as part of the clinical pathway for type 2 diabetes in Ireland. HIQA undertook this HTA at the request of the HSE.



Bariatric surgery involves changing how the stomach and small intestine process food, resulting in weight loss and improvements in obesity-related health complications. Traditionally, it is used as a weight-loss intervention in patients with obesity. The term metabolic surgery refers to the use of bariatric surgery procedures with the aim of improving type 2 diabetes control in patients with comorbid (both) type 2 diabetes and obesity.



Standard care options for patients with comorbid type 2 diabetes and obesity include patient education programmes, behavioural interventions (such as, dietary changes, physical activity and smoking cessation advice), interventions to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and diabetes medications. Weight loss is an important part of the management of type 2 diabetes. Successful weight loss can result in lower cardio-metabolic risk factors and less chance of complications.



While metabolic surgery is not currently offered as part of standard care in Ireland, many diabetes and obesity organisations recommend it as an accepted treatment option for people with comorbid type 2 diabetes and obesity. HIQA’s review included evidence from 24 randomised controlled trials examining metabolic surgery with short- to medium-term follow-up (maximum 10 years).



Dr Conor Teljeur, HIQA’s Chief Scientist, said: “When reviewing the evidence, we found that metabolic surgery is safe and very effective in patients with comorbid type 2 diabetes and obesity. It results in improved blood sugar control, weight loss, and reduced use of anti-hyperglycaemic medications. Overall, we found that providing metabolic surgery as part of the type 2 diabetes clinical care pathway would be an efficient and highly cost-effective use of healthcare resources.”



HIQA’s report noted that demand for metabolic surgery is difficult to predict as not everyone with comorbid type 2 diabetes and obesity will want surgery or be a surgical candidate.



Dr Teljeur concluded: “Patients that undergo metabolic surgery require long-term follow-up. If metabolic surgery is provided by the HSE, it should be in the context of a programme providing end-to-end care; this will need to balance patient management between primary and secondary care resources.”



You can read the report from the link at the top of the page.



Ends.



For further information please contact:

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

01 814 7480 / 085 805 5202 / mwhelan@hiqa.ie



Notes to the Editor:

• The health technology assessment (HTA) of metabolic surgery for comorbid type 2 diabetes and obesity has been submitted to the Minister for Health and the HSE for consideration.
• In Ireland, access to bariatric surgery services is provided exclusively through the National Clinical Programme for Obesity or accessed through private healthcare systems in Ireland or abroad. Metabolic surgery is not currently provided as part of the clinical care pathway for type 2 diabetes.
• The incremental budget impact of a metabolic surgery programme was estimated at €7.4 million to provide 1,000 surgeries and follow-up care over five years. While an annual cohort of 200 patients was assumed, the budget impact would be directly proportional to the number of patients undergoing surgery.