A narrative review study on the effects of obesity and bariatric surgery on multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Obesity is a major public health concern and should be considered in autoimmune inflammatory disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). In these patients, obesity leads to increasing comorbidities as well as reduced quality of life. Obesity causes an inflammatory state in the body, especially in adolescents; obesity has a role in the pathogenesis of MS. Hence, it is identified as a lifestyle modifiable risk factor for MS disease. Among various treatments for obesity, bariatric surgery has been widely used. Although few studies have been performed on bariatric surgery in MS patients, in this review, we present the existing data regarding the effects of obesity on the MS course and evaluate the outcomes of bariatric surgery among this population.