Skip to the content
 

Obesity Research

Summary

There are several aspects to obesity research within the department. Currently the Lap-Band system a form of gastric restrictive surgery is used as first line surgical therapy for suitable patients with a BMI over 35 kg/m2.

  1. Research into the prevalence and nature of comorbidity in the severely obese subjects presenting for surgical treatment of obesity.

  2. Monitoring important outcome measures of this form of bariatric surgery.

    • Weight loss
    • Changes in comorbidity
    • Changes in health related quality of life
    • Psychosocial change

  3. Monitoring and managing complications and risks associated with this surgery.

    • Assessing outcomes and complications with a view to improved surgical techniques, perioperative care and long term care of patients with a Lap-Band in situ.
    • Minimizing any risks possibly associated with weight loss by monitoring biochemical and nutritional factors.

Comorbidities currently being studied include:

  • Hypertension, Dyslipidaemia, impaired glucose tolerance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the polycystic ovary syndrome. These are all associated with the metabolic syndrome.
  • Asthma and respiratory conditions associated with obesity.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux
  • Sleep apnea and other sleep disturbance associated with obesity

The department is also involved in post marketing studies for the Lap Band manufactures Bioenterics Corp as part of FDA requirements in the USA.

Research Group

  • Dr John Dixon
  • Mrs Maureen Dixon
  • Prof. Paul E O¹Brien

Related Research

  
Research Opportunties