A review of the safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery in adults over the age of 60: 2002-2013.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review is to compare outcomes of bariatric surgery in adults over 60 to younger patients. This analysis is important to determine if nurse practitioners (NPs) and other providers should recommend bariatric surgery to obese older adults.


METHODS
This review included 15 studies published between 2002 and 2013.


CONCLUSIONS
Although older adults seem to experience less weight loss, bariatric surgery has potential benefits for these patients. Significant improvements in hypertension, diabetes, and, to a lesser extent, dyslipidemia are noted. Mortality and surgical complications in older adults are low, while differences in length of hospital stay are inconclusive.


CONCLUSIONS
The risks of bariatric surgery in older adults need to be carefully evaluated based on individual medical condition. Overall the evidence suggests that bariatric surgery can be safely performed in older adults but more research is needed to determine which older adult patients are the best candidates for bariatric surgery. As bariatric surgery among older adults increases, interdisciplinary teams will continue to serve an important role in the management of bariatric surgery patients. NPs must be aware of trends in this emerging population of bariatric surgery patients.
New York University College of Nursing, New York, New York.|New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
Billy A
BA
Caceres
New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
Dana
D
Moskowitz
Columbia Doctors Medical Group, New York, New York.
Theresa
T
O'Connell
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D061214:Patient Safety; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Older adult; disparities; elderly; obesity; outcomes; surgery