Patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes who undergo bariatric surgery can almost halve their risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and reduce their risk of premature death, a study has shown.

The findings should prompt greater awareness of the potential benefits of surgical treatment in weight management, the UK researchers say.

The team, from the Imperial College London, analysed data from 1186 adults (mean age 50) with type 2 diabetes and morbid obesity (mean BMI >45kg/m2) to assess the association between bariatric surgery and the long-term risk of developing ASCVD.

Half of the cohort underwent surgery, and both the treatment group and propensity-matched controls were followed for an average of 3.5 years.