Bariatric Surgery for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Where Does It Belong?
With its reported positive and lasting effects on metabolic control and weight loss, the idea of surgery for the management of diabetes seems both attractive and exciting … almost like a magic bullet. However, before wholeheartedly adopting this treatment, the medical community should consider a few issues regarding the published data on surgery for the management of diabetes (1).
Danièle Pacaud MD FRCPC, Sara Meltzer MD FRCPC
Rôle de la chirurgie bariatrique dans le traitement du diabète de type 2
Comme on a signalé que la chirurgie avait des effets positifs et durables sur le contrôle métabolique et sur le poids, elle semble à la fois intéressante et prometteuse pour le traitement du diabète et être une solution miracle, ou presque. Toutefois, le corps médical doit examiner quelques questions soulevées par les données publiées sur le traitement chirurgical du diabète avant de l’adopter1.
Danièle Pacaud MD FRCPC, Sara Meltzer MD FRCPC
Surgical Options for People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Review of Current and Emerging Therapies
The obesity epidemic continues to escalate the global prevalence of type 2 diabetes (1). Currently, 258 million people worldwide live with diabetes, and 90 to 95% of them have type 2 diabetes. By 2030, the figure is estimated to exceed 438 million (2). In Canada, >2 million adults are affected by diabetes; indeed, every 10 minutes another Canadian will be diagnosed with the disease. The personal and economic costs of diabetes are staggering; if left unchecked, the financial burden of diabetes is estimated to be $16.9 billion by 2020, which will surely bankrupt the healthcare system (3). Diabetes has truly become the “tsunami” of chronic diseases (2).
David C.W. Lau MD PhD FRCPC
Production of materials has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
© 2012 Copyright Canadian Diabetes Association

