The annual number of bariatric and metabolic surgeries in the Asia-Pacific region increased 3.6-fold from 18,280 in 2010 to 66,010 in 2019, but decreased to 49,553 in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Observational
Yes
Bariatric and metabolic surgery grew rapidly in the Asia-Pacific region over the last decade, though the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant reduction in case volume in 2020.
p-value: p=<0.001
Abstract Background On November 25, 2021, the IFSO-Asia–Pacific Chapter (IFSO-APC) Virtual Meeting 2021 was held online, and the representatives from the Asia–Pacific region presented 10 years of change in bariatric/metabolic surgery and the influence of COVID-19 in the special session of “IFSO-APC National Reports 2010–2020”. We herein report the summarized data. Methods National bariatric/metabolic surgery data, which included the data of 2010 and 2020, were collected from the representatives using a questionnaire that consisted of 10 general questions. At the congress, the data were calculated and summarized. Results Thirteen of the 14 national societies responded to the survey. From 2010 to recent years, the populations of individuals with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) and individuals with diabetes both significantly increased. Eight countries and regions expanded the lower limit of criteria for bariatric surgery by 2–5 kg/m 2 (BMI), and 5 countries newly established criteria for metabolic surgery in the last ten years. Sixty-nine percent of the countries currently run public health insurance systems, which doubled from 2010. The number of bariatric surgeons and institutions increased more than threefold from 2010. In 2010, 2019, and 2020, surgeons in IFSO-APC societies performed 18,280, 66,010, and 49,553 bariatric/metabolic surgeries, respectively. Due to the COVID pandemic, restriction policies significantly reduced access to surgery in South and Southeast Asian countries. The biggest changes included increased numbers of bariatric surgeons and institutions, operation numbers, public insurance coverage, raising awareness, and national registry systems. Conclusion For the last 10 years, bariatric/metabolic surgery has rapidly grown in the Asia–Pacific region.
Ohta et al. (2022) conducted an observational in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Time period (2010 to 2020) and COVID-19 pandemic vs. 2010 baseline was evaluated on Number of bariatric/metabolic surgeries performed (p=<0.001). The annual number of bariatric and metabolic surgeries in the Asia-Pacific region increased 3.6-fold from 18,280 in 2010 to 66,010 in 2019, but decreased to 49,553 in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.