ABSTRACT Background Obesity is an escalating worldwide health issue, and bariatric surgery has demonstrated efficacy as a strategy for substantial weight reduction and metabolic improvement. Nesfatin‐1, an anorexigenic peptide, is associated with appetite control and energy balance; nevertheless, its response following bariatric surgery is variable. This meta‐analysis assesses the effects of bariatric surgery on BMI and nesfatin‐1 concentrations in individuals with obesity. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science, according to PRISMA criteria. Included were studies examining pre‐ and post‐surgical alterations in BMI and nesfatin‐1 levels. A random‐effects meta‐analysis was conducted to evaluate aggregated effect sizes, heterogeneity, and possible publication bias. Results Seven trials with a total of 237 patients were examined. Bariatric surgery resulted in a substantial decrease in BMI (−10.23, 95% CI: −13.00 to −7.46; p < 0.001), exhibiting moderate‐to‐high heterogeneity ( I ² = 84.16%). Nesfatin‐1 levels demonstrated a non‐significant increase following surgery (10.22, 95% CI: −3.42 to 23.86; p = 0.14) and considerable heterogeneity (I² = 99.98%). The funnel plot indicated little publication bias, however the Galbraith plot identified probable outlier research that contributed to variability. Conclusion Bariatric surgery markedly decreases BMI, underscoring its importance in obesity management. The impact on nesfatin‐1 levels remains ambiguous due to significant variability and variances specific to each studies. Additional study employing standardized procedures and extended follow‐up durations is necessary to clarify the function of nesfatin‐1 in post‐surgical metabolic control.
Bidares et al. (Wed,) studied this question.