Cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery in adolescents

Editor's Note

In this study, bariatric surgery for obese adolescents was shown to be cost-effective if assessed over a time period of 5 years, but not in shorter time frames.

The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of bariatric surgery vs no surgery was $155,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) when assessed over 3 years, $114,000 over 4 years, and $91,000 over 5 years.

Longer term studies that track quality of life, weight loss, comorbidity resolution, and costs are needed to confirm this study’s findings, the authors say.

Question Is bariatric surgery a cost-effective treatment for adolescents with severe obesity? Findings In this cost-effectiveness analysis, a mathematical state transition model was used to determine that bariatric surgery has an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $154 684 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) when assessed over 3 years, $114 078 per QALY over 4 years, and $91 032 per QALY over 5 years.