The comprehensive review of MSK symptoms (neck, shoulder, spine, hip, knee, foot pain, fibromyalgia syndrome, etc.) before and after weight loss studied 54 patients recruited from University Hospitals of Cleveland's Bariatric Surgery Program, according to Michele Hooper, MD, the study's principal investigator and co-director of the Arthritis Translational Research Program at University Hospitals of Cleveland.
Dr. Hooper's findings, which will be presented in San Antonio at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting on October 21, 2004, demonstrated that there was decrease of 52% in the number of sites of musculoskeletal complaints and a 92% reduction in fibromyalgia syndrome pain (widespread pain and tenderness in muscles and soft tissue) between 6-12 months after surgery. There was significant improvement of function and quality life as well.
"This was a highly motivated group of individuals who made major lifestyle changes in addition to their surgery," says Dr. Hooper "Patients also had to adhere to the extensive multi-disciplinary preoperative evaluation that is required by University Hospital's Bariatric Surgery Program."
Gastric bypass surgery involves stapling the upper stomach to create a small pouch that is then attached to the small intestine, reducing the capacity of the stomach, resulting in dramatic weight loss.
Of the 54 patients who were studied, there were 52 women and two men ranging in age from 35-53 y
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Contact: Alison Bibb
alison.bibb@uhhs.com
216-844-3825
University Hospitals of Cleveland
21-Oct-2004