A recent study revealed a negative effect of weight loss surgeries, indicating a potential increase in the risk of developing epilepsy. The study, published in the journal "Neurology" and conducted by researchers from the University of Western Canada, found that individuals who underwent weight loss surgery were 45% more likely to develop epilepsy compared to those who did not have such procedures. Furthermore, those who suffered a stroke after weight loss surgery were 14 times more likely to develop epilepsy than those who did not experience a stroke.
Researchers collected data from 17,000 individuals who underwent surgery for obesity over a span of six years and compared them to over 622,000 obese patients who did not have these surgeries, with participants monitored for three years. They found that during this period, 73 individuals who underwent obesity surgery developed epilepsy (0.4%), compared to 1,260 individuals who did not undergo the surgery (0.2%).
The researchers also noted that the risk of developing epilepsy remained the same regardless of the type of weight loss surgery performed, including gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. Commenting on the study's findings, researcher and professor of neurology at the University of Western, George Bournio, stated, "Patients considering weight loss surgery should discuss the benefits and risks of obesity surgery with their doctor." He added, "It is important to note that despite the increased risk of epilepsy after obesity treatment surgery, it remains very low, at 16 cases per 100,000 patients."
Bournio explained that it is unclear why obesity treatment surgery is associated with an increased risk of epilepsy, saying, "The primary mechanism causing this is unknown, but potential mechanisms may include nutritional deficiencies and exposure to general anesthesia," as reported by UPI news agency.
