Bariatric Surgeryf and Type II Diabetes

Bariatric surgery may reduce medication use for obese patients with type 2 diabetes.
Bloomberg News (8/17, Gale) reports that, according to a study published Aug. 16 in the Archives of Surgery, "diabetics who undergo weight-loss surgery need fewer medications to control the condition and have lower health-care costs after the procedure." Specifically, "three-quarters of obese patients with type 2 diabetes were able to stop insulin and other blood-sugar controlling drugs within six months of undergoing bariatric surgery, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine said."
The Wall Street Journal (8/17, D2, Dooren) reports that for the study, which received funding from the Department of Health and Human Services, the study authors examined data on 2,235 adults who had type 2 diabetes and who underwent bariatric surgery.
The Los Angeles Times (8/16, Dennis) "Booster Shots" reported that the study authors concluded, "Health care providers should consider discussing bariatric surgery in the treatment of obese patients with Type 2 diabetes." HealthDay (8/16, Gordon) and Medscape (8/16, Hitt) also covered the story.