Abstract
IntroductionEurope consists of 51 independent countries. Variation in healthcare regulations results in differing challenges faced by patients and professionals. This study aimed to gain more insight into the accessibility, patient pathway and quality indicators of metabolic and body contouring surgery.Methods and MaterialsExpert representatives in the metabolic field from all 51 countries were sent an electronic self-administered online questionnaire on their data and experiences from the previous year exploring accessibility to and quality indicators for metabolic surgery and plastic surgery after weight loss.ResultsForty-five responses were collected. Sixty-eight percent of countries had eligibility criteria for metabolic surgery; 59% adhered to the guidelines. Forty-six percent had reimbursement criteria for metabolic surgery. Forty-one percent had eligibility criteria for plastic surgery and 31% reimbursement criteria. Average tariffs for a metabolic procedure varied € 800 to 16,000. MDTs were mandated in 78%, with team members varying significantly. Referral practices differed. In 45%, metabolic surgery is performed by pure metabolic surgeons, whilst re-operations were performed by a metabolic surgeon in 28%. A metabolic training programme was available in 23%. Access to metabolic surgery was rated poor to very poor in 33%. Thirty-five percent had a bariatric registry. Procedure numbers and numbers of hospitals performing metabolic surgery varied significantly. Twenty-four percent of countries required a minimum procedure number for metabolic centres, which varied from 25 to 200 procedures.ConclusionThere are myriad differences between European countries in terms of accessibility to and quality indicators of metabolic surgery. Lack of funding, education and structure fuels this disparity. Criteria should be standardised across Europe with clear guidelines.Graphical abstract
Highlights
Obesity Surgery of ill health and 2.8 million deaths globally [1]. Metabolic complications such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, metabolic syndrome, obstructive sleep apnoea, non-alcoholic liver disease, structural brain changes, cognitive impairment, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer are all linked to obesity [2,3,4]
This study was initiated in the European Obesity Academy (EOA), which gives young professionals in the fields of metabolic surgery, endocrinology and metabolic medicine a chance to develop their research skills, whilst being mentored by experienced researchers in the field of obesity
There was no significant difference in whether tariffs were standardised or patients were asked to contribute towards surgery, nor in whether countries had a metabolic surgery training programme, or the surgeon’s rating of access or overall care
Summary
Sixty-eight percent of countries had eligibility criteria for metabolic surgery; 59% adhered to the guidelines. Conclusion There are myriad differences between European countries in terms of accessibility to and quality indicators of metabolic surgery. Obesity Surgery of ill health and 2.8 million deaths globally [1] Metabolic complications such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (including its microvascular and macrovascular complications), hypertension, metabolic syndrome, obstructive sleep apnoea, non-alcoholic liver disease, structural brain changes, cognitive impairment, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer are all linked to obesity [2,3,4]. Surgical procedures lead to sustainable weight loss, often accompanied by remission of comorbidities [8], as well as reduced all-cause mortality and myocardial events [9] Due to these improvements, the costs of surgery are amortised within 2 years [10]
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