Korean J Obes.  2013 Mar;22(1):7-12.

Is Surgery Necessary for Morbid Obesity Patient? NECA Round-table Conference Consensus Statement

• Kim G
• Jang S
• Choi YB
• Hur Y
• Oh SW
• Kwon JW
• Lee S

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The'NECA Round-table Conference (RTC)'of National Evidence-based Collaborating Agency (NECA) refers to the venues for discussions on core issues of dispute and seeking consensus on the basis of objective and systematic information through participation of wide range of society members, and is providing the best grounds related to public health and medical care.
METHODS
At the 'Is surgery necessary for morbid obesity patients?' RTC, clinical specialists in surgery, family medicine, internal medicine and preventive medicine, public health administrations expert, policy experts involving staffs of Ministry of Public Health and Welfare, experts from relevant institutions including National Health Insurance Corporation and Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, and patient representative participated as panel members. Agreements were reached on the basis of the NECA study and experts' presentation on issues concerning'Is morbid obesity a disorder?, Is surgical therapy safe and effective on morbid obesity?, and 'Is surgical therapy on morbid obesity patients cost effective?'
RESULTS
According to the RTC results, morbid obesity is a disorder which is a challenge to treat with frequent occurrence of complications and recurrences. It necessitates appropriate treatment and follow up management, in addition, bariatric surgery can be seen as a safe and effective method on the basis of existing evidence. Bariatric surgery is considered particularly effective in morbid obesity patients when existing treatment therapies fail and also cost effective when considering quality adjusted life years (QALY) and incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER).
CONCLUSION
Continuous well designed follow up observational studies in Korea are needed and discussions on the insurance coverage for treatment of morbid obesity patients seem necessary in the near future.

Keyword

Morbid obesity; Surgery; Round table conference; Consensus statement

MeSH Terms

Adenosine-5'-(N-ethylcarboxamide)
Bariatric Surgery
Consensus
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Dissent and Disputes
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Insurance Coverage
Insurance, Health
Internal Medicine
Korea
National Health Programs
Obesity, Morbid
Patient Advocacy
Preventive Medicine
Public Health
Quality-Adjusted Life Years
Recurrence
Specialization
Adenosine-5'-(N-ethylcarboxamide)