Influence of Weight Loss Attempts on Bariatric Surgery Outcomes.

Many payors require an additional attempt at nonsurgical weight loss before approval of bariatric procedures. This study evaluates this requirement by characterizing the prior weight loss attempts (WLAs) undergone by bariatric surgery patients and correlating those attempts to postoperative weight loss outcomes. Number and duration of WLAs were obtained from a preoperative clinic assessment.

The anatomy of medical research: US and international comparisons.

Importance: Medical research is a prerequisite of clinical advances, while health service research supports improved delivery, access, and cost. Few previous analyses have compared the United States with other developed countries.

Objectives: To quantify total public and private investment and personnel (economic inputs) and to evaluate resulting patents, publications, drug and device approvals, and value created (economic outputs).