Clinical factors associated with weight loss outcomes after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery

Myosteatosis Predicts Bariatric Surgery Response: A Longitudinal Study in Patients With Morbid Obesity

CONTEXT

Data on the preoperative factors for bariatric surgery response in patients with morbid obesity are limited, and there are no studies on the relationship between myosteatosis and surgery response.

OBJECT

We investigated the preoperative factors determining bariatric surgery response and the impact of preoperative muscle fat infiltration on bariatric surgery response.

METHODS

This retrospective longitudinal cohort study included 125 individuals (37 men, 88 women) with morbid obesity who underwent bariatric surgery. Muscle fat infiltration [skeletal muscle fat index (SMFI)] was evaluated using computed tomography-based psoas muscle mass and density at the fourth lumbar level. A bariatric surgery response was defined as ≥50% excessive weight loss at 1 year postoperatively.

RESULTS

Before bariatric surgery, the patient's mean body weight and body mass index (BMI) were 107.0 kg and 39.0 kg/m2, respectively. After 1 year, the mean body weight was 79.6 kg. The mean excessive weight loss at 1 year was 75.6%, and 102 (81.6%) patients were categorized as responders. There were no statistically significant differences in initial BMI, age, sex, or proportion of diabetes between responders and nonresponders. Responders were more likely to have lower SMFI and triglyceride and glycated hemoglobin A1c levels than nonresponders at baseline (P < .05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a lower baseline SMFI was associated with bariatric surgery response (odds ratio = 0.31, 95% confidence interval = 0.14-0.69, P = .004).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative myosteatosis may determine the response to bariatric surgery.

Patient proximity to follow-up care after bariatric surgery: Does it matter?

One factor that may play a significant role in the follow-up care compliance and long-term weight loss of post-bariatric surgery patients is the geographical distance from the surgery center to the patient's home address. This is a retrospective review which aims to evaluate whether the distance from a patient's home address to two Gundersen Health System (GHS) facilities (La Crosse and Onalaska, Wisconsin) is predictive of follow-up appointment compliance and subsequent long-term weight loss. 1336 patients undergoing bariatric surgery at GHS between October 15, 2013 and Dec 31, 2022 were included. Patients were grouped according to the distance between their home addresses and GHS with 60 ​% of patients living less than 30 miles from GHS, 33 ​% living 30 to 60 miles from GHS, and the remaining 7.3 ​% living >60 miles away. No significant difference was observed in the distribution of patients falling short, meeting, or exceeding the recommended number of post-operative appointments with a surgery provider based on proximity (p ​= ​0.10). As distance increased, the number of nutrition and behavioral health appointments completed per year decreased [nutrition/dietary appointments (p ​= ​0.046); behavioral health appointments (p ​= ​0.040)]. The pattern of percent excess weight loss (%EWL) over time was significantly different based on distance from home (p ​< ​0.001). Specifically, we found a similar %EWL among all groups in the first year post-operatively but an 18.8 ​% higher %EWL in the >60-mile group compared to the <60-mile group at 5 years (SE ​= ​5.4, P ​= ​0.0014). The lower number of post-op nutrition and behavioral health visits among patients living farther from the surgery center was an expected result, given potentially greater inconvenience of follow-up appointments for these patients. However, there was a paradoxical finding of significantly increased %EWL among patients living >60 miles from the surgery center. Greater distance from the bariatric surgical center was therefore not found to represent a barrier to favorable weight loss outcomes.

Stage of fibrosis is not a predictive determinant of weight loss in patients undergoing bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are an increasing health care burden worldwide. Weight loss is currently the best option to alleviate NAFLD and is efficiently achieved by bariatric surgery. Presence of NAFLD seems to be predictive for postoperative weight loss. To date, only few predictive factors for postbariatric weight loss (age, diabetes, psychiatric disorders) are established.

OBJECTIVES

Since liver fibrosis is the pathogenic driver for the progression of liver disease, we investigated its role in predicting postoperative weight loss. This study focuses on the correlation between fibrosis stage and weight loss.

SETTING

University and university-affiliated cooperation, Germany.

METHODS

We used a prospective, single-center cohort study including 164 patients who underwent bariatric surgery with simultaneous liver biopsies. Liver fibrosis was determined histologically according to Kleiner score and noninvasively by APRI and FIB-4 score. Percentage of total body weight loss was calculated at 1-year follow up visit.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients were found without fibrosis, whereas 91 patients showed mild fibrosis (F1), 37 significant fibrosis (F2), and only 4 patients presented advanced fibrosis (F3) at the time of bariatric surgery. Weight loss was similar across different degrees of fibrosis stage. Accordingly, linear regression analysis did not identify predictors of weight loss among fibrosis scores. In multivariable analysis, age and presence of diabetes showed the strongest predictive value.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline presence of fibrosis was not associated with postoperative weight loss, while age and diabetes were independent predictors of weight loss. Bariatric surgery should be applied independently of the fibrosis stage.

Outcomes following reoperative bariatric surgery following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at a tertiary care centre

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most common bariatric surgical procedure worldwide. Approximately 20%-30% of patients present with weight loss failure or reflux following SG, which might require reoperative surgery. We present the surgical outcomes and complications following reoperative bariatric surgery at a tertiary care centre.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Prospectively collected data of all patients undergoing reoperative bariatric surgery from 2008 to 2021 were analysed retrospectively. Weight loss, resolution of comorbidities and complications following reoperative surgery were evaluated.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were included in the study. The mean age was 38.8 (10.8) years. The primary procedure performed was laparoscopic SG in all cases. Nine patients underwent Roux en Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (one banded RYGB) and 14 underwent one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) (three-banded OAGB). Three patients underwent resleeve. The most common indication was weight loss failure (65.3%). Fifteen patients were diagnosed to have hiatal hernia intraoperatively and concomitant repair was performed. The mean body mass index before revision surgery was 42.7 (9.8). It was 32.6 (5.7) kg/m2 and 33.0 (6.1) kg/m2 at 1 and 3 years, respectively. Age and pre-revision surgery excess weight correlated with weight loss (r = -0.79 and r = 0.99, respectively). Leak and bleeding occurred in one and two patients, respectively. There were two band-related complications and one 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSION

Re-operative bariatric surgery following SG has adequate weight loss with acceptable complication rates. Band placement in re-operative surgery might lead to a higher complication rate.

Presurgery health influences outcomes following vertical sleeve gastrectomy in adolescents

OBJECTIVE

Weight loss following vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) in youth can range from 10% to 50%. We examined whether there are differences in demographic or metabolic parameters before VSG in youth who achieve above-average weight loss (AAWL) versus below-average weight loss (BAWL) at 1 year post VSG and if youth with BAWL still achieve metabolic health improvements at 1 year post VSG.

METHODS

Demographic, anthropometric, and clinical lab data were collected before VSG and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after VSG.

RESULTS

Forty-three youth with a mean age of 16.9 (SD 1.7) years before VSG were studied; 70% were female, 19% non-Hispanic Black, 58% non-Hispanic White, and 23% mixed/other race. Mean baseline BMI was 51.1 (SD 10.5) kg/m2. Average weight loss was 25.8%. The AAWL group lost 18.6 kg/m2 (35.3%) versus the BAWL group, who lost 8.8 kg/m2 (17.5%). BMI, age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status at baseline were similar between AAWL and BAWL groups; however, the BAWL group had a higher frequency of pre-VSG dysglycemia, steatotic liver disease, and dyslipidemia. At 1 year post VSG, fewer youth in the BAWL group achieved ideal health parameters, and they had less resolution of comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of comorbidities before VSG is associated with less weight loss and reduced resolution of metabolic conditions at 1 year post VSG.

Safety of limb lengthening after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: an analysis of the MBSAQIP database

BACKGROUND

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) effectively treats severe obesity, but some patients may require revisional surgery like limb lengthening (LL) for postoperative weight gain.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to compare 30-day serious complications and mortality rates between LL and primary RYGB, given limited safety data on LL.

METHODS

Patients who underwent LL and RYGB were identified from the 2020 and 2021 MBSAQIP databases, the only years in which LL data were available. Baseline characteristics and 30-day rates of serious complications and mortality were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 86,990 patients underwent RYGB and 455 underwent LL. Patients undergoing RYGB were younger (44.4 versus 49.8 yr, P < .001), had a higher body mass index (BMI) (45.5 versus 41.8 kg/m2, P < .001) and higher rates of comorbidities including diabetes (30.0 versus 13.6%, P < .001). RYGB and LL had similar operative duration (125.3 versus 123.2 min, P = .5). There were no statistical differences between cohorts for length of stay (LOS) (1.6 RYGB versus 1.6 LL d, P = .6). After LL, there were higher 30-day rates of reoperation (3.3 versus 1.9%, P = .03) and deep surgical site infections (1.3 versus .5%, P = .03) compared to RYGB. There were no differences in overall serious complications (5.1 LL versus 5.0% RYGB, P = 1.0) and mortality (.2 LL versus .1% RYGB, P = .5). Multivariable logistic regression adjustment found that previous venous thromboembolism was associated with serious complications after LL.

CONCLUSIONS

When compared to primary RYGB, LL has a favorable safety profile with similar 30-day rates of serious complications and mortality.

Socio-Demographic and Preoperative Clinical Factors Associated With 5-Year Weight Trajectories After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy

Objective

To determine whether socio-demographic and preoperative clinical factors contribute to the percent total body weight loss (%TBWL) after bariatric surgery (BS).

Background

BS is the most effective long-term treatment for medically complicated obesity. More information is needed about the factors that contribute to postoperative %TBWL in large and ethnically diverse cohorts.

Methods

This retrospective study conducted in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California region included 7698 patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) between January 2009 and March 2015. Trajectory analyses were conducted from 5-year follow-up data to assign patients to "low," "average," or "high" postoperative %TBWL groups. We then evaluated whether age, sex, race/ethnicity, neighborhood deprivation index and preoperative body mass index (BMI)/weight loss, diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea contributed to postoperative %TBWL using logistic regression models.

Results

Of 7698 patients (83.2% women), 48.6% underwent a RYGB and 51.4% underwent a SG. Postoperative %TBWL trajectories over 5 years were obtained in 6229 (81%) of 7698 eligible patients. About 27.8% and 29.3% of patients followed the "low" postoperative %TBWL trajectory, for RYGB and SG, respectively. Men, older patients, and Asian, Black, and Hispanic/Latino patients were more likely to be classified in the low postoperative %TBWL group. Patients showing lower postoperative %TBWL had a lower preoperative BMI (but lost less weight before surgery) and were more likely to have preoperative comorbidities.

Conclusions

This study confirms and extends prior findings of the effects of several demographic and preoperative clinical factors on postoperative weight loss. Findings could improve the support of patients to achieve desired surgical outcomes.

Single anastomosis duodenal switch versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2: a multi-centered comparative analysis

BACKGROUND

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has consistently demonstrated excellent weight loss and comorbidity resolution. However, outcomes vary based on patient's BMI. Single anastomosis duodeno-ileostomy with sleeve (SADI-S) is a novel procedure with promising short-term results. The long-term outcomes of SADI-S in patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 are not well described. We aim to compare the safety and efficacy of SADI-S with RYGB in this patient population.

METHODS

We performed a multicenter retrospective study of patients with a BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2 who underwent RYGB or SADI-S between 2008 and 2023. Patient demographics, peri- and post-operative characteristics were collected. Complication rates were reported at 6, 12, 24, and 60 months postoperatively. A multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate and compare weight loss outcomes between both procedures.

RESULTS

A total of 968 patients (343 RYGB and 625 SADI-S; 68.3% female, age 42.9 ± 12.1 years; BMI 57.3 ± 6.7 kg/m2) with a mean follow-up of 3.6 ± 3.6 years were included. Patients who underwent RYGB were older, more likely to be female, and have a higher rate of sleep apnea (p < 0.001), hypertension (p = 0.015), dyslipidemia (p < 0.001), and type 2 diabetes (p = 0.016) at baseline. The rate of bariatric surgery-specific complications was lower after SADI-S compared to RYGB. We reported no bariatric surgery related deaths after 1 year following both procedures. SADI-S demonstrated statistically higher and sustained weight loss at each time interval compared to RYGB (p < 0.001) even after controlling for multiple confounders. Lastly, the rate of surgical non-responders was lower in the SADI-S cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort, SADI-S was associated with higher and sustained weight-loss results compared to RYGB. Comorbidity resolution was also higher after SADI-S. Both procedures demonstrate a similar safety profile. Further studies are required to validate the long-term safety of SADI-S compared to other bariatric procedures.

Single Anastomosis Duodenoileostomy with Sleeve: A Comprehensive Review of Anatomy, Surgical Technique, and Outcomes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Single anastomosis duodenoileal bypass with sleeve (SADI-S) is a recently endorsed metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) procedure in the US. Despite its favorable characteristics, the utilization of SADI-S remains limited, accounting for a mere 0.25% of all MBS procedures performed. This review aims to offer an updated examination of the technique, while also presenting the safety and outcomes associated with SADI-S on both the short and long term.

RECENT FINDINGS

The safety of SADI-S is well-established, with short-term complication rates as low as 2.6%. A common channel length of 300 cm has consistently shown a lower incidence of malabsorption complications compared to shorter lengths. Bile reflux after SADI-S is relatively rare with an incidence of only 1.23%. SADI-S demonstrated sustained total weight loss (%TWL) at 5 years (37%) and 10 years (34%) postoperatively. Resolution of weight-related medical conditions was also significant after SADI-S, with remission rates of diabetes mellitus as high as 86.6% with over 5 years of follow-up. SADI-S is a safe and effective MBS procedure that has shown impressive and sustainable results in terms of weight loss and improvement in obesity-related medical conditions. Careful limb length selection is essential in minimizing the risk of nutritional deficiencies. SADI-S holds great promise as a valuable option for individuals seeking effective weight loss and improvement in associated health conditions.

Effectiveness of the Modified Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, and Platelet Score in Predicting Weight Loss After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Introduction: The overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines in obesity has suggested an association between obesity and inflammation. In this study, we aimed to predict the success of weight loss at the end of the first year of patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for morbid obesity using hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score and modified HALP (m-HALP) score. Materials and Methods: Patients were divided into two groups according to the success of weight loss. The groups were compared in terms of HALP score, m-HALP score, demographic parameters, and preoperative laboratory tests. The diagnostic performance measurements of the m-HALP score were calculated. In addition, logistic regression analysis was performed for the factors affecting weight loss in the first year after LSG. Results: Seventy-two patients were evaluated. The median m-HALP score of the patients with an excess weight loss percentage (EWL%) <60 threshold was 562 (416.6-891.9), the median m-HALP score of the patients with an EWL% above the 60 threshold was 394.3 (347.9-543), and the difference between the outcome groups was significant (P = .002).The accuracy of m-HALP score in identifying the patients whose EWL would be <60% 1 year after the surgery was 63.9 (95% confidence interval = 51.7-74.9). Conclusion: This study showed that the m-HALP score is effective in predicting weight loss after bariatric surgery.

Determination of weight loss effectiveness evaluation indexes and establishment of a nomogram for forecasting the probability of effectiveness of weight loss in bariatric surgery: a retrospective cohort

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this research was to determine the index that contributes the most to assessing the effectiveness of weight loss 1 year following bariatric surgery and to implement it as the clinical outcome to develop and confirm a nomogram to predict whether bariatric surgery would be effective.

METHODS

Patient information was extracted from the Chinese Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Database for this retrospective study. The most contributing weight loss effectiveness evaluation index was created using canonical correlation analysis (CCA), and the predictors were screened using logistic regression analysis. A nomogram for estimating the likelihood of effectiveness of weight loss was constructed, and its performance was further verified.

RESULTS

Information was obtained for 540 patients, including 30 variables. According to the CCA, ≥25 percentage total weight loss was found to be the most correlated with patient information and contribute the most as a weight loss effectiveness evaluation index. Logistic regression analysis and nomogram scores identified age, surgical strategy, abdominal circumference, weight loss history, and hyperlipidemia as predictors of effectiveness in weight loss. The prediction model's discrimination, accuracy, and clinical benefit were demonstrated by the consistency index, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors determined a 25 percentage total weight loss as an index for weight loss effectiveness assessment by CCA and next established and validated a nomogram, which demonstrated promising performance in predicting the probability of effectiveness of weight loss in bariatric surgery. The nomogram might be a valuable tool in clinical practice.

Factors influencing bariatric surgery outcomes

The outcomes of bariatric surgery, while often impressive, are not universally satisfactory; they vary from patient to patient and from operation to operation. Between 20-30% of patients experience suboptimal weight loss or substantial weight regain early in their postoperative course. Confronted with this chronic disease, and given that failures are difficult to manage, it is essential to better characterize obesity preoperatively, considering other metrics beyond just the body mass index (BMI), to select the best candidates for surgery and optimize the benefit/risk ratio. Based on the data of the most recent studies on bariatric surgery, our objective is to identify the predictive factors of weight loss as well as the risk factors of failure. Our analysis indicates that the choice of the surgical technique, age, initial BMI, ethnic origin, the presence of eating disorders and metabolic factors all have an impact on weight-loss outcomes after bariatric surgery. Thus, it is of major importance to carefully select patients during a preoperative multidisciplinary discussion in order to optimize weight loss and metabolic outcomes.

Association Between Bariatric Surgery and Alcohol Use-Related Hospitalization and All-Cause Mortality in a Veterans Affairs Cohort

Importance

Bariatric surgery procedures, in particular Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), have been associated with subsequent alcohol-related complications. However, previous studies lack data to account for changes in body mass index (BMI) or alcohol use over time, which are key potential confounders.

Objective

To evaluate the association between RYGB, sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric banding on subsequent alcohol use disorder (AUD)-related hospitalization and all-cause mortality as compared with referral to a weight management program alone.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study included 127 Veterans Health Administration health centers in the US. Patients who underwent RYGB, sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric banding or who were referred to MOVE!, a weight management program, and had a BMI (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 30 or greater between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2021, were included in the study.

Exposures

RYGB, sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric banding or referral to the MOVE! program.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was time to AUD-related hospitalization from the time of bariatric surgery or MOVE! referral. The secondary outcome was time to all-cause mortality. Separate propensity scores were created for each pairwise comparison (RYGB vs MOVE! program, RYGB vs sleeve gastrectomy, sleeve gastrectomy vs MOVE!). Sequential Cox regression approaches were used for each pairwise comparison to estimate the relative hazard of the primary outcome in unadjusted, inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW)-adjusted (generated from the pairwise logistic regression models), and IPTW-adjusted approaches with additional adjustment for time-updating BMI and categorical Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise scores.

Results

A total of 1854 patients received RYGB (median [IQR] age, 53 [45-60] years; 1294 men [69.8%]), 4211 received sleeve gastrectomy (median [IQR] age, 52 [44-59] years; 2817 men [66.9%]), 265 received gastric banding (median [IQR] age, 55 [46-61] years; 199 men [75.1%]), and 1364 were referred to MOVE! (median [IQR] age, 59 [49-66] years; 1175 men [86.1%]). In IPTW Cox regression analyses accounting for time-updating alcohol use and BMI, RYGB was associated with an increased hazard of AUD-related hospitalization vs MOVE! (hazard ratio [HR], 1.70; 95% CI, 1.20-2.41; P = .003) and vs sleeve gastrectomy (HR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.55-2.53; P < .001). There was no significant difference between sleeve gastrectomy and MOVE! (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.56-1.03; P = .08). While RYGB was associated with a reduced mortality risk vs MOVE! (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.49-0.81; P < .001), this association was mitigated by increasing alcohol use over time.

Conclusions and Relevance

This cohort study found that RYGB was associated with an increased risk of AUD-related hospitalizations vs both sleeve gastrectomy and the MOVE! program. The mortality benefit associated with RYGB was diminished by increased alcohol use, highlighting the importance of careful patient selection and alcohol-related counseling for patients undergoing this procedure.

Decreased Weight Loss Following Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery represents the most effective treatment for achieving significant and sustained weight loss. We aimed to assess whether presence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) at baseline, and T2D remission following bariatric surgery affect the weight loss outcome.

METHODS

Data of 312 consecutive morbidly obese subjects who underwent bariatric surgery were analysed. Patients underwent either RYGB (77%), or sleeve gastrectomy (23%), and their body weight was followed-up for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years at regular ambulatory visits (N = 269, 312, 210, 151, 105, at each year, respectively). T2D remission was assessed according to the ADA criteria.

RESULTS

In the whole dataset, 92 patients were affected by T2D. Patients with T2D were older than patients without T2D (52 ± 9 vs 45 ± 11 years, p < 0.0001), but there were no differences in baseline BMI, sex, and type of intervention received. We found that presence of T2D at baseline was associated with smaller weight loss at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years following bariatric surgery (δ BMI at 2 years: - 13.7 [7.7] vs - 16.4 [7.3] kg/m²; at 5 years - 12.9 [8.8] vs - 16.3 [8.7] kg/m² in patients with T2D vs patients without T2D respectively, all p < 0.05). When dividing the patients with T2D in remitters and non-remitters, non-remitters had significantly smaller weight loss compared to remitters (δ BMI at 2 years: - 11.8 [6.3] vs - 15.4 [7.8] kg/m²; at 5 years: - 8.0 [7.1] vs - 15.0 [7.2] kg/m², non-remitters vs remitters respectively, all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

T2D is independently associated to smaller weight loss following bariatric surgery, especially in subjects not achieving diabetes remission. • Patients with T2D achieve smaller weight loss following bariatric surgery • When dividing the T2D patients in remitters and non-remitters, non-remitters achieve significantly smaller weight loss compared to remitters.

Antibiotic use in gastrointestinal surgery patients at a Vietnamese national hospital

BACKGROUND

Invasive gastrointestinal surgery may be performed as an open or endoscopic procedure, such as laparoscopic semi-colon surgery, laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic gastrectomy, and anal surgery, among other such operations. Regardless of the approach, the operative procedure interferes with the patient's gastrointestinal tract, necessitating the rational use of prophylactic antibiotics to improve treatment outcomes and minimize postoperative infections.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prophylactic and postoperative antibiotic usage in patients who underwent invasive gastrointestinal surgery, and to identify factors associated with postoperative infection.

DESIGN

This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 112 patients who underwent invasive gastrointestinal surgery at the Department of Gastroenterology, Thong Nhat Hospital. We conducted a cross-sectional study in all inpatients aged 18 years and older, who underwent invasive gastrointestinal surgery between January 2020 and December 2020. We recorded patient characteristics, the administration and appropriateness of antibiotics, as well as treatment outcomes. The appropriateness of prophylactic and postoperative antibiotic usage was assessed based on 2015 Vietnamese national guideline for antibiotic use. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with postoperative infection.

RESULTS

Patients' mean age was 59.7 ± 17.2 years. Most surgeries (89.3%) were clean-contaminated procedures. The rates of appropriate types of antibiotics selected, doses, and overall rates of appropriateness of antibiotic prophylaxis were 68.0%, 76.4% and 54.7%, respectively. Of the patients investigated, 34.8% had at least one sign of postoperative infection; the overall appropriate rate of postoperative antibiotic was 38.5%. Old age was associated with postoperative infection and longer length of hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of the guidelines recommended for the prophylactic and therapeutic use of antibiotics is essential to improve treatment outcomes.

A cross-sectional survey of patients attending follow-up visits after sleeve gastrectomy: Factors affecting weight loss

Background

Bariatric surgery offers long-term weight loss and maintenance for patients with obesity. Several factors may be associated with patients' inability to achieve successful excess weight loss (EWL) after the surgery. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with improved or in-progress EWL among patients who had undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Methods

This original clinical investigation was conducted at the Outpatient Surgical Department-Medical Research Institute Hospital at Alexandria University in Egypt. A sample size of 100 adult surgical patients who had undergone LSG was selected from patients who attended follow-up in the study setting. Group A had an EWL% ≥50 and group B had an EWL <50. Body Mass Index (BMI) classes were defined as 25-30 kg/m2, >30-35 kg/m2, >35-40 kg/m2, >40 ≥ 45 kg/m2.

Results

Post-operatively, after six months, 100% of the patients in group A had a BMI between 25 and 30 mg/m2, compared to 0% in group B. Nevertheless, patients in group EWL<50 (group B) who had pre-operatively BMI class ≥45 mg/m2, had a reduction in weight of 89.5% post-operatively, (n = 2 still had a BMI >45 kg/m2 post operatively), In total, 63.9% of the patients in group B managed to get towards a BMI of 30-35 kg/m2 post-operatively. The main factors associated with group B (less %EWL after 6 months) were found to be related to higher preoperative BMI, the onset of obesity started in childhood, less preoperative weight loss, longer postoperative duration towards weight reduction, and lower postoperative compliance to dietary instructions (P = 0.0001, 0.048, 0.0001, 0.017, and 0.016, respectively).

Conclusion

Routine cross-sectional surveying can help clinicians in understanding patients' post-operative follow-up routines. Special attention to pre-operative BMI, weight-loss regimens, and childhood-onset as well as post-operative duration, low responders, and compliance with clinical assessment can improve weight loss outcomes.

Preoperative Prediction of Body Mass Index of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes at 1 Year After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Very few models predict weight loss among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) patients after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). This retrospective study undertook such a task. Materials and Methods: We identified all patients >18 years old with T2D who underwent primary LSG at our institution and had complete data. The training set comprised 107 patients operated upon during the period April 2011 to June 2014; the validation set comprised 134 patients operated upon during the successive chronological period, July 2014 to December 2015. Sex, age, presurgery BMI, T2D duration, number of T2D medications, insulin use, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were utilized as independent predictors of 1-year BMI. We employed regression analysis, and assessed the goodness of fit and "Residuals versus Fits" plot. Paired sample t-tests compared the observed and predicted BMI at 1 year. Results: The model comprised preoperative BMI (β = 0.757, P = 0.026) + age (β = 0.142, P < 0.0001) with adjusted R² of 0.581 (P < 0.0001), and goodness of fit showed an unbiased model with accurate prediction. The equation was: BMI value 1 year after LSG = 1.777 + 0.614 × presurgery BMI (kg/m²) +0.106 × age (years). For validation, the equation exhibited an adjusted R² 0.550 (P < 0.0001), and the goodness of fit indicated an unbiased model. The BMI predicted by the model fell within -3.78 BMI points to +2.42 points of the observed 1-year BMI. Pairwise difference between the mean 1-year observed and predicted BMI was not significant (-0.41 kg/m², P = 0.225). Conclusions: This predictive model estimates the BMI 1 year after LSG. The model comprises preoperative BMI and age. It allows the forecast of patients' BMI after surgery, hence setting realistic expectations which are critical for patient satisfaction after bariatric surgery. An attainable target motivates the patient to achieve it.

Are Geographical Health Accessibility and Socioeconomic Deprivation Associated with Outcomes Following Bariatric Surgery? A Retrospective Study in a High-Volume Referral Bariatric Surgical Center

PURPOSE

Few studies have evaluated the association between non-clinical determinants (socioeconomic status and geographic accessibility to healthcare) and the outcomes of bariatric surgery, with conflicting results. This study aimed to evaluate this association.

METHODS

The medical records of 1599 consecutive patients who underwent either laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy between June 2005 and December 2017 were retrieved. All relevant data, including patient characteristics, biometric values before and after surgery, related medical problems, surgical history, medications, and habitus, for each patient were prospectively collected in a database. Logistic regressions were used to assess the influence of non-clinical determinants on surgical indications and complications. Multilevel linear or logistic regression was used to evaluate the influence of non-clinical determinants on long-term %TWL and the probability to achieve adequate weight loss (defined as a %TWL > 20% at 12 months).

RESULTS

Analysis of the 1599 medical records revealed that most geographically isolated patients were more likely to have undergone laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (odds ratio: 0.97; 95% confidence interval: 0.94 to 0.99; P = 0.018) and had a greater likelihood of adequate weight loss (β: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.05; P = 0.021). Conversely, socioeconomic status (measured by the European Deprivation Index) did not affect outcomes following bariatric surgery.

CONCLUSION

Geographical health isolation is associated with a higher probability to achieve adequate weight loss after 1 year of follow-up, while neither health isolation nor socioeconomic deprivation is associated with post-operative mortality and morbidity. This results suggests that bariatric surgery is a safe and effective tool for weight loss despite socioeconomic deprivation.

Weight loss before bariatric surgery and its impact on poor versus excellent outcomes at 2 years

PURPOSE

To identify preoperative factors that influence the outcomes of gastric bypass surgery, in terms of excess weight loss at 24 months.

METHODS

This retrospective study included two groups of patients who underwent laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. Group A (poor outcomes) had ≤ 50%EWL or BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²; group B (excellent outcomes) had ≥ 80%EWL at 24 months. A comparative analysis of demography, anthropometry, comorbidities, and metabolic status was performed. A linear regression model was used to evaluate %EWL association; the number of preoperative and postoperative consultations were also compared.

RESULTS

A total of 202 patients completed follow-up; 71 (35.1%) and 78 (38%) had poor and excellent outcomes (%EWL 44.1 ± 9.4% vs. 92 ± 10.9%), respectively. Mean age was 40.4 ± 8.9 years. Patients with poor outcomes had higher weight and BMI, lesser preoperative %EWL, higher dyslipidemia and diabetes rates with longer periods of evolution, and increased HbA1c% levels. In the linear regression analysis, preoperative %EWL and initial and preoperative BMI were statistically significant determinants of %EWL at 24 months Diabetes remission was 46.2% (group A) vs. 66.6% (group B). Group A had higher non-attendance rates after surgery.

CONCLUSION

The factors independently associated with greater %EWL at 24 months between groups were higher preoperative %EWL, and lower initial and preoperative BMI.

Impact of Preoperative Weight Loss on Postoperative Weight Loss Revealed from a Large Nationwide Quality Registry

PURPOSE

Weight loss before bariatric surgery is not mandatory, but questions remain as to whether preoperative weight loss has an impact on weight loss after surgery. Most studies have small sample sizes. The objective was to evaluate the relationship between preoperative and successful postoperative weight loss defined as ≥25% total weight loss (TWL) at 1 and 2 years after primary bariatric surgery with regard to the obesity-related comorbidities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were extracted from a large nationwide quality registry of patients who underwent a sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or gastric bypass (GBP) between January 2015 and January 2018. Patients with completed screening and preoperative and postoperative data were included. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for each technique and follow-up years separately.

RESULTS

In total, 8751 were included in the analysis. Patients with preoperative weight loss were more likely to achieve ≥25% postoperative TWL in both procedures. Patients with higher preoperative weight loss of 5-10% had an increased likelihood for achieving 25% TWL compared to 0-5%, OR 1.79 (CI (1.42-2.25), p < 0.001) vs 1.25 (CI (1.08-1.46), p < 0.004) for the GBP group for year 2 postoperative. This was the same for the SG group at year 2, OR 1.30 (CI (1.03-1.64), p < 0.029) vs 1.14 (CI (0.94-1.38), p < 0.198).

CONCLUSION

Patients with preoperative weight loss were more likely to achieve ≥25% postoperative TWL at 1 and 2 years after surgery in both procedures; moreover, the extent of preoperative weight loss contributes to the significance and odds of this success.

Long-Term Weight Outcomes after Bariatric Surgery: A Single Center Saudi Arabian Cohort Experience

BACKGROUND

Obesity is considered a global chronic disease requiring weight management through lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, or weight loss surgery. The dramatic increase in patients with severe obesity in Saudi Arabia is paralleled with those undergoing bariatric surgery. Although known to be beneficial in the short term, the long-term impacts of surgery within this group and the sustainability of weight loss after surgery remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the long-term weight outcomes after bariatric surgery.

SETTING

The study was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

An observational prospective cohort study on adult patients with severe obesity undergoing bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en Y gastric bypass (RYGB)) during the period between 2009 and 2015 was conducted. Weight loss patterns were evaluated pre- and post-surgery through clinical and anthropometric assessments. Absolute weight loss was determined, and outcome variables: percent excess weight loss (%EWL), percent total weight loss (%TWL), and percent weight regain (%WR), were calculated. Statistical analysis using univariate and multivariate general linear modelling was carried out.

RESULTS

A total of 91 (46 males and 45 females) patients were included in the study, with the majority belonging to the SG group. Significant weight reductions were observed at 1 and 3 years of follow-up (p < 0.001) from baseline. The %EWL and %TWL were at their maximum at 3 years (72.4% and 75.8%) and were comparable between the SG and RYGB. Decrements in %EWL and %TWL and increases in %WR were seen from 3 years onwards from bariatric surgery until the study period ended. The yearly follow-up attrition rate was 20.8% at 1 year post-surgery, 26.4% at year 2, 31.8% at year 3, 47.3% at year 4, 62.6% at year 5, and 79.1% at end of study period (at year 6).

CONCLUSION

The major challenge to the successful outcome of bariatric surgery is in maintaining weight loss in the long-term and minimizing weight regain. Factors such as the type of surgery and gender need to be considered before and after surgery, with an emphasis on the need for long-term follow-up to enssure the optimal benefits from this intervention.

Impact of smoking on weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery: a literature review

BACKGROUND

The association between smoking and surgical complications after bariatric surgery has been well-established. However, given that this patient population is inherently weight-concerned, understanding the effects of tobacco use on postoperative weight loss is essential to guiding clinicians in counseling patients. We aimed to summarize the current literature examining the effects of preoperative and postoperative smoking, as well as changes in smoking status, on bariatric surgery weight loss outcomes.

METHODS

Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and SCOPUS databases were queried to identify relevant published studies.

RESULTS

Overall, 20 studies were included. Preoperative and postoperative smoking rates varied widely across studies, as did requirements for smoking cessation prior to bariatric surgery. Reported preoperative smoking prevalence ranged from 1 to 62%, and postoperative smoking prevalence ranged from 6 to 43%. The majority of studies which examined preoperative and/or postoperative smoking habits found no association between smoking habits and postoperative weight loss outcomes. A minority of studies found relatively small differences in postoperative weight loss between smokers and nonsmokers; these often became nonsignificant with longer follow-up. No studies found significant associations between changes in smoking status and weight loss outcomes.

CONCLUSION

While smoking has been associated with weight loss in the general population, most current evidence demonstrates that smoking habits are not associated with weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery. However, due to the heterogeneity in study design and analysis, no definitive conclusions can be made, and more robust studies are needed to investigate any relationship between smoking and long-term weight loss outcomes. Given the established increased risk of surgical complications and mortality in smokers, smoking cessation should be encouraged.

Smoking in bariatric surgery: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of smoking among patients undergoing bariatric surgery has been reported to be as high as 40%. The effect of smoking in the perioperative period has been extensively studied for various surgical procedures, but limited data are available for bariatric surgery. The objective of this study is to review the existing literature to assess: (1) the impact of smoking on postoperative morbidity and mortality after bariatric surgery, (2) the relationship between smoking and weight loss after bariatric surgery, and (3) the efficacy of smoking cessation in the perioperative period among bariatric surgery patients.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library from 1946 to February 2020 was performed to identify relevant articles. Following an initial screen of 940 titles and abstracts, 540 full articles were reviewed.

RESULTS

Forty-eight studies met criteria for analysis: five structured interviews, three longitudinal studies, thirty-two retrospective studies and eight prospective studies. Smoking within 1 year prior to bariatric surgery was found to be an independent risk factor for increased 30-day mortality and major postoperative complications, particularly wound and pulmonary complications. Smoking was significantly associated with long-term complications including marginal ulceration and bone fracture. Smoking has little to no effect on weight loss following bariatric surgery, with studies reporting at most a 3% increased percentage excess weight loss. Rates of smoking recidivism are high with studies reporting that up to 17% of patients continue to smoke postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although current best practice guidelines recommend only a minimum of 6 weeks of abstinence from smoking prior to bariatric surgery, the findings of this review suggest that smoking within 1 year prior to bariatric surgery is associated with significant postoperative morbidity. More investigation is needed on strategies to improve smoking cessation compliance among bariatric surgery patients in the perioperative period.

A Genetic Risk Score for the Estimation of Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are the most frequent bariatric surgery procedures worldwide. In this prospective study, we examined the association of a genetic risk score (GRS) with loss of excess weight after bariatric surgery.

METHODS

A total of forty-seven morbidly obese Greek patients who underwent SG (81%) or RYGB were recruited, followed up for 2 years and genotyped. Weight loss after surgery was reported as the percentage of excess weight that was lost (%EWL) at 12 and 24 months after surgery. A GRS was constructed based on previously BMI- and WHR-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were found significantly correlated with weight loss after bariatric surgery in our population. The level of post-surgery %EWL after 12 and 24 months was estimated through two multiple linear regression models that considered the effects of relevant genetic risk variants.

RESULTS

The first proposed model suggested that the predictor variables of GRS, age, and BMI had a significant effect on %EWL12m. GRS was significantly associated with %EWL12m, indicating a 4.618% decrease of %EWL12m per score unit. The second model indicated a positive correlation between %EWL24m and %EWL12m, suggesting that while post-surgery weight loss increased during the first 12 months, an increase was expected in the next 12 months as well. GRS was also significantly associated with %EWL24m, indicating approximately 3% decrease of %EWL24m per score unit.

CONCLUSION

GRS can be used in the future together with other preoperative parameters in order to predict the outcome of bariatric surgery.

Weight Loss After One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass-Mini Gastric Bypass (OAGB-MGB): Patient-Related Perioperative Predictive Factors

AIM

The aim of this study was to find independent perioperative factors predicting unsuccessful weight loss following one anastomosis gastric bypass-mini gastric bypass (OAGB-MGB), a recently developed technique of bariatric surgery.

METHODS

Using regression analysis, this prospective cohort study assessed the role of demographic and socioeconomic factors, clinical features, body composition, length of biliopancreatic limb (LBL), nutritional habits, comorbidities, and early post-operative weight reduction values, in predicting 1-year weight loss after OAGB-MGB. All patients at the center who underwent laparoscopic OAGB-MGB between October 2010 and May 2017 were included. The dependent variable was the percent of excess weight loss (%EWL) after 12-month follow-up. Weight loss outcome was defined as successful EWL (≥ 50%) or unsuccessful EWL (< 50%).

RESULTS

Follow-up data at 1 year was available for 1309 (77%) patients. Mean EWL and BMI reduction were 81.63% and 16.82 ± 4.37 kg/m² at 1 year. In addition, 48 (3.7%) patients had unsuccessful weight loss. Pre-operative higher BMI (OR, 1.34; p = 0.001), type 2 diabetes (OR, 4.26; p = 0.039), pre-surgery volume eating habit (OR, 0.12; p = 0.003), weight reduction value in the first month after surgery (OR, 0.80; p = 0.002), and length of biliopancreatic limb (LBL) (OR, 1.05; p = 0.017) were independently associated with unsuccessful weight loss at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

OAGB-MGB provides considerable weight loss for most patients. Initial lower BMI, absence of diabetes, being volume eater, and higher first month weight loss are independently associated with successful weight loss after 1 year.

Am I on Track? Evaluating Patient-Specific Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery Using an Outcomes Calculator

PURPOSE

Individual weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery can vary considerably. As a result, identifying and assisting patients who are not on track to reach their weight loss goals can be challenging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a bariatric surgery outcomes calculator, which was formulated using a state-wide bariatric-specific data registry, predicted weight loss at 1 year after surgery was calculated on 658 patients who underwent bariatric surgery at 35 different bariatric surgery programs between 2015 and 2017. Patient characteristics, postoperative complications, and weight loss trajectories were compared between patients who met or exceeded their predicted weight loss calculation to those who did not based on observed to expected weight loss ratio (O:E) at 1 year after surgery.

RESULTS

Patients who did not meet their predicted weight loss at 1 year (n = 237, 36%) had a mean O:E of 0.71, while patients who met or exceeded their prediction (n = 421, 63%) had a mean O:E = 1.14. At 6 months, there was a significant difference in the percent of the total amount of predicted weight loss between the groups (88% of total predicted weight loss for those that met their 1-year prediction vs 66% for those who did not, p < 0.0001). Age, gender, procedure type, and risk-adjusted complication rates were similar between groups.

CONCLUSION

Using a bariatric outcomes calculator can help set appropriate weight-loss expectations after surgery and also identify patients who may benefit from additional therapy prior to reaching their weight loss nadir.

Is It Possible to Predict Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery?-External Validation of Predictive Models

Background

Bariatric surgery is the most effective obesity treatment. Weight loss varies among patients, and not everyone achieves desired outcome. Identification of predictive factors for weight loss after bariatric surgery resulted in several prediction tools proposed. We aimed to validate the performance of available prediction models for weight reduction 1 year after surgical treatment.

Materials and Methods

The retrospective analysis included patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) who completed 1-year follow-up. Postoperative body mass index (BMI) predicted by 12 models was calculated for each patient. The correlation between predicted and observed BMI was assessed using linear regression. Accuracy was evaluated by squared Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R²). Goodness-of-fit was assessed by standard error of estimate (SE) and paired sample t test between estimated and observed BMI.

Results

Out of 760 patients enrolled, 509 (67.00%) were women with median age 42 years. Of patients, 65.92% underwent SG and 34.08% had RYGB. Median BMI decreased from 45.19 to 32.53kg/m² after 1 year. EWL amounted to 62.97%. All models presented significant relationship between predicted and observed BMI in linear regression (correlation coefficient between 0.29 and 1.22). The best predictive model explained 24% variation of weight reduction (adjusted R²=0.24). Majority of models overestimated outcome with SE 5.03 to 5.13kg/m².

Conclusion

Although predicted BMI had reasonable correlation with observed values, none of evaluated models presented acceptable accuracy. All models tend to overestimate the outcome. Accurate tool for weight loss prediction should be developed to enhance patient’s assessment.

Graphical abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11695-021-05341-w.

Multidisciplinary Approach for Weight Regain-how to Manage this Challenging Condition: an Expert Review

Weight regain is a multifactorial condition that affects many patients following bariatric surgery. The purpose of the paper is to review the multidisciplinary approach for the management of weight regain. We performed a search in current clinical evidence regarding the causes, consequences, and treatments of weight regain. The multidisciplinary approach with periodic monitoring is of fundamental importance to prevent or treat weight regain. Several therapeutic options are ranging from nutritional to surgical options, which should be tailored according to patients' anatomy, lifestyle behavior, and compliance. Specialized multidisciplinary care is the key to achieve optimal long-term weight loss and maintenance goals following bariatric surgery.

Long-Term Prevalence of Food Addiction Among Bariatric Surgery Patients: Influence on Metabolic and Psychological Outcomes

Background: We wanted to assess the prevalence of individuals with food addiction (FA) among bariatric surgery (BS) patients at long term and to determine if there was any relationship between FA and both clinical and psychological outcomes at the time of the evaluation. Methods: Participants were evaluated for the presence of FA with the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0. Results: Of 134 subjects, 32 (23.9%) included met criteria for FA. The frequency of patients with depression at the time of the evaluation was greater among subjects with FA (34.4% vs. 11.8%; P = 0.006). The score obtained with the Beck Depression Inventory at the time of the evaluation was greater among subjects with FA (14.8 ± 11.5 vs. 6 ± 6.5; P < 0.0001). The frequency of subjects with FA who had criteria for binge eating disorder at the time of the evaluation was significantly greater (56.3% vs. 20.5%; P < 0.001). Patients with FA scored higher in the Lattinen index for chronic pain at the time of the evaluation (8.7 ± 5.9 vs. 5.8 ± 5.4; P = 0.014). However, clinical outcomes were similar between the two groups. Conclusions: Routine screening for FA at long term postoperatively should be recommended to improve psychological outcomes of BS.

Intersection of smoking, e-cigarette use, obesity, and metabolic and bariatric surgery: a systematic review of the current state of evidence

BACKGROUND

Millions of Americans qualify for metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) based on the proportion of the population with severe obesity. Simultaneously, the use of electronic nicotine/non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) has become epidemic.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a timely systematic review to examine the impact of tobacco and ENDS use on post-operative health outcomes among MBS patients.

METHODS

PRISMA guidelines were used as the search framework. Keyword combinations of either "smoking," "tobacco," "e-cigarette," "vaping," or "ENDS" and "bariatric surgery," "RYGB," or "sleeve gastrectomy" were used as search terms in PUBMED, Science Direct, and EMBASE. Studies published in English between January 1990 and June 2020 were screened.

RESULTS

From the 3251 articles found, a total of 48 articles were included in the review. No articles described a relationship between ENDS and post-operative health outcomes in MBS patients. Seven studies reported smokers had greater post-MBS weight loss, six studies suggested no relationship between smoking and post-MBS weight loss, and one study reported smoking cessation pre-MBS was related to post-MBS weight gain. Perioperative use of tobacco is positively associated with several post-surgery complications and mortality in MBS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Combustible tobacco use among MBS patients is significantly related to higher mortality risk and complication rates, but not weight loss. No data currently is available on the impact of ENDS use in these patients. With ENDS use at epidemic levels, it is imperative to determine any potential health effects among patients with severe obesity, and who complete MBS.

New concepts in the diagnosis and management approach to iron deficiency in candidates for metabolic surgery: should we change our practice?

The near universal presence of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation among patients with severe obesity disrupts iron homeostasis and underlies the association between obesity and iron deficiency. Immune activation and inflammation result in a reduction in circulating iron and diminished iron bioavailability for erythropoiesis. Inflammation also alters blood levels of commonly measured markers of iron nutrition status, which makes the diagnosis of iron deficiency difficult and has led to new recommendations regarding laboratory markers for the diagnosis. Recent evidence using these newly recommended laboratory markers, which include levels of ferritin, C-reactive protein, and transferrin saturation, suggests that the actual prevalence of iron deficiency among candidates for metabolic surgery may be double or triple the prevalence identified by low levels of ferritin alone. Thus large numbers of surgical candidates have iron deficiency that has been heretofore largely unrecognized and inadequately treated. The assessment of iron status using the currently recommended markers in the presence of chronic inflammatory diseases and repletion of depleted stores for surgical candidates with deficiency during the preoperative period present an important opportunity for mitigating this condition in postoperative patients.

Variables Associated with Short-Term Weight Loss in a Cohort of Patients with Morbid Obesity According to Age and Three Types of Bariatric Surgery

Background The percentage of excess weight lost (%EWL) after bariatric surgery (BS) shows great discrepancies from one individual to another. Objective To evaluate the %EWL one year after BS and to determine the existence of baseline biomarkers associated with weight loss. Methods We studied 329 patients with morbid obesity undergoing three types of BS (biliopancreatic diversion (BPD), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG)), depending on the %EWL one year after surgery: good responders (GR) (%EWL ≥ 50%) and non-responders (NR) (%EWL < 50%). Results The GR presented a higher percentage of change in anthropometric and biochemical variables compared to the NR group, even within each type of BS. There was a greater percentage of GR among those who underwent RYGB. The patients who underwent SG showed the lowest decrease in biochemical variables, both in GR and NR. Within the GR group, those with a lower age showed greater improvement compared to the other age groups. A %EWL ≥50% was negatively associated with the age and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), and positively with the type of BS (RYGB). Conclusions The GR group was associated with lower age and AIP and undergoing RYGB. Additionally, those patients who underwent SG showed a lower metabolic improvement.

Long-term BAROS scores and independent obesity-related co-morbidity predictors of failure after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

BACKGROUND

Long-term (>5 yr) studies assessing outcomes after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) using the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) are limited. Evidence of predictors of failure long-term after LRYGB is also lacking.

OBJECTIVES

To compare BAROS scores at 5 and 10 years post LRYGB and to establish whether individual obesity-related co-morbidities are associated with suboptimal outcomes at these time points.

SETTING

Single bariatric unit.

METHODS

BAROS scores were analyzed in patients who were 5 years (group A) and 10 years (group B) post LRYGB. Obesity-related co-morbidities as predictors of failure of surgery (defined by % excess weight loss [%EWL] <50% or BAROS total score ≤1) were examined. Intergroup comparative analysis of outcomes and logistic regression modeling to determine predictors of weight loss failure were conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 88 patients were 5 years post LRYGB (group A), and 91 patients were 10 years post LRYGB (group B). A total of 52.3% (46/88) in group A and 54.9% (50/91) in group B had failure of weight loss defined by %EWL <50%. There were no significant differences in percentage of total weight loss, %EWL, or BAROS scores between the 2 groups (21.8% versus 22.0%, P = .897; 48.5% versus 47.1%, P = .993; and 3.7 versus 3.3, P = .332, respectively). No individual obesity-related co-morbidity at time of surgery was associated with suboptimal outcomes (%EWL <50% or BAROS total score ≤1) at 5 years or 10 years after LRYGB.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term outcomes assessed by the BAROS score appear sustainable between 5 and 10 years after LRYGB surgery, and weight loss achieved at 5 years is maintained at 10 years. Preoperative presence of specific obesity-related co-morbidities was not associated with failure of surgery long-term.

Self-Reported Smoking Compared to Serum Cotinine in Bariatric Surgery Patients: Smoking Is Underreported Before the Operation

BACKGROUND

Smoking has been associated with postoperative complications and mortality in bariatric surgery. The evidence for smoking is based on self-report and medical charts, which can lead to misclassification and miscalculation of the associations. Determination of cotinine can objectively define nicotine exposure. We determined the accuracy of self-reported smoking compared to cotinine measurement in three phases of the bariatric surgery trajectory.

METHODS

Patients in the phase of screening (screening), on the day of surgery (surgery), and more than 18 months after surgery (follow-up) were consecutively selected. Self-reported smoking was registered and serum cotinine was measured. We evaluated the accuracy of self-reported smoking compared to cotinine, and the level of agreement between self-report and cotinine for each phase.

RESULTS

In total, 715 patients were included. In the screening, surgery, and follow-up group, 25.6%, 18.0%, and 15.5%, respectively, was smoking based on cotinine. The sensitivity of self-reported smoking was 72.5%, 31.0%, and 93.5% in the screening, surgery, and follow-up group, respectively (p < 0.001). The specificity of self-report was > 95% in all groups (p < 0.02). The level of agreement between self-report and cotinine was 0.778, 0.414, and 0.855 for the screening, surgery, and follow-up group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Underreporting of smoking occurs before bariatric surgery, mainly on the day of surgery. Future studies on effects of smoking and smoking cessation in bariatric surgery should include methods taking into account the issue of underreporting.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Perioperative Nutrition, Metabolic, and Nonsurgical Support of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Procedures - 2019 Update: Cosponsored by American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology, The Obesity Society, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Obesity Medicine Association, and American Society of Anesthesiologists

OBJECTIVE

The development of these updated clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) was commissioned by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), The Obesity Society (TOS), American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), Obesity Medicine Association (OMA), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Boards of Directors in adherence with the AACE 2017 protocol for standardized production of CPGs, algorithms, and checklists.

METHODS

Each recommendation was evaluated and updated based on new evidence from 2013 to the present and subjective factors provided by experts.

RESULTS

New or updated topics in this CPG include: contextualization in an adiposity-based chronic disease complications-centric model, nuance-based and algorithm/checklist-assisted clinical decision-making about procedure selection, novel bariatric procedures, enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery protocols, and logistical concerns (including cost factors) in the current health care arena. There are 85 numbered recommendations that have updated supporting evidence, of which 61 are revised and 12 are new. Noting that there can be multiple recommendation statements within a single numbered recommendation, there are 31 (13%) Grade A, 42 (17%) Grade B, 72 (29%) Grade C, and 101 (41%) Grade D recommendations. There are 858 citations, of which 81 (9.4%) are evidence level (EL) 1 (highest), 562 (65.5%) are EL 2, 72 (8.4%) are EL 3, and 143 (16.7%) are EL 4 (lowest).

CONCLUSIONS

Bariatric procedures remain a safe and effective intervention for higher-risk patients with obesity. Clinical decision-making should be evidence based within the context of a chronic disease. A team approach to perioperative care is mandatory, with special attention to nutritional and metabolic issues.

Recent Advances in the Neurobiology of Altered Motivation Following Bariatric Surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There is compelling evidence in the clinical population that long-term weight loss secondary to bariatric surgery is mitigated by the reemergence of maladaptive feeding behaviors and in some cases new onset substance abuse.

RECENT FINDINGS

A review of the current literature suggests that physical restructuring of the GI tract during WLS alters secretion of feeding peptides and nutrient-sensing mechanisms that directly target the brain's endogenous reward system, the mesolimbic dopamine system. Post-surgical changes in GI physiology augment activation of the mesolimbic system. In some patients, this process may contribute to a reduced appetite for palatable food whereas in others it may support maladaptive motivated behavior for food and chemical drugs. It is concluded that future studies are required to detail the timing and duration of surgical-induced changes in GI-mesolimbic communication to more fully understand this phenomenon.

Clinical practice guidelines for the perioperative nutrition, metabolic, and nonsurgical support of patients undergoing bariatric procedures - 2019 update: cosponsored by American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology, The Obesity Society, American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, Obesity Medicine Association, and American Society of Anesthesiologists

OBJECTIVE

The development of these updated clinical practice guidelines (CPG) was commissioned by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, The Obesity Society, the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the Obesity Medicine Association, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists boards of directors in adherence to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 2017 protocol for standardized production of CPG, algorithms, and checklists.

METHODS

Each recommendation was evaluated and updated based on new evidence from 2013 to the present and subjective factors provided by experts.

RESULTS

New or updated topics in this CPG include contextualization in an adiposity-based, chronic disease complications-centric model, nuance-based, and algorithm/checklist-assisted clinical decision-making about procedure selection, novel bariatric procedures, enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery protocols, and logistical concerns (including cost factors) in the current healthcare arena. There are 85 numbered recommendations that have updated supporting evidence, of which 61 are revised and 12 are new. Noting that there can be multiple recommendation statements within a single numbered recommendation, there are 31 (13%) Grade A, 42 (17%) Grade B, 72 (29%) Grade C, and 101 (41%) Grade D recommendations. There are 858 citations, of which 81 (9.4%) are evidence level (EL) 1 (highest), 562 (65.5%) are EL 2, 72 (8.4%) are EL 3, and 143 (16.7%) are EL 4 (lowest).

CONCLUSIONS

Bariatric procedures remain a safe and effective intervention for higher-risk patients with obesity. Clinical decision-making should be evidence-based within the context of a chronic disease. A team approach to perioperative care is mandatory with special attention to nutritional and metabolic issues.

The feasibility of a behavioral group intervention after weight-loss surgery: A randomized pilot trial

Background

Formal psychosocial support programs after weight-loss surgery are limited in scope and availability.

Objective

This randomized pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a postoperative behavioral intervention program.

Materials and methods

Postoperative weight-loss surgery patients (N = 50) were recruited from February 2017–July 2017 and randomized to a four-month behavioral program or usual care wait-list. Outcomes evaluated in addition to feasibility included health-related quality of life (Short Form -36), psychosocial functioning and adherence. Secondary outcomes included within-group changes for each outcome.

Results

Out of eight possible sessions, intervention participants attended a mean of 4.2 sessions. Intervention group participants experienced greater improvements in the social functioning domain of health-related quality of life compared to usual care. Self-reported dietary adherence in the intervention group remained stable, while usual care group dietary adherence declined. Within the intervention group, participants also reported gains in the physical function, pain and general health aspects of quality life from baseline to post-treatment. No differences in weight, mood or other eating behaviors (e.g., loss of control, emotional eating) were evident between groups.

Conclusion

Though participation in a postoperative behavioral intervention varied, the program helped participants to maintain aspects of quality of life and self-reported adherence to dietary recommendations.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03092479

The Reduction of Visceral Adipose Tissue after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Is more Pronounced in Patients with Impaired Glucose Metabolism

Purpose

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors and insulin resistance. The physiological mechanisms underlying the benefits of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) on glucose metabolism remain incompletely understood. The impact of RYGB on VAT was assessed among three groups of patients stratified by their glucose tolerance before surgery.

Methods

Forty-four obese women were categorized into normoglycemia (n = 21), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT, n = 18) and diabetes (n = 5) before surgery. Body composition measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed before surgery, 6 months and 12 months after.

Results

The three groups had comparable mean age (mean 38.6 ± SD 9.9) and BMI at baseline (41.9 ± 4.3 kg/m²). After 12 months, total weight loss (mean 35.1% ± 7.5) and excess weight loss (91.1% ± 25.1) were similar between groups. Pre-surgery mean VAT was significantly higher in diabetes (mean 2495 ± 616 g) than in normoglycemia (1750 ± 617 g, p = 0.02). The percentage of VAT to total body fat was significantly higher in diabetes (mean 4.4% ± 0.9) compared to normoglycemia (2.9% ± 0.8, p = 0.003). Twelve months after surgery, VAT loss was significantly greater among patients with diabetes (mean 1927 ± 413 g) compared to normoglycemia (1202 ± 450, p = 0.009).

Conclusions

RYGB leads to important VAT loss, and this loss is greater in patients with diabetes prior to surgery. As VAT is associated with insulin resistance, this reduction may account for the profound impact of this surgery on glucose metabolism.

Metabolic Parameters, Weight Loss, and Comorbidities 4 Years After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is now the predominant bariatric surgery performed, yet there is limited long-term data comparing important outcomes between LSG and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). This study compares weight loss and impact on comorbidities of the two procedures.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated weight, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, cholesterol, and medication use for hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia at 1-4 years post-operatively in 380 patients who underwent RYGB and 334 patients who underwent LSG at the University of Michigan from January 2008 to November 2013. Follow-up rates from 714 patients initially were 657 (92%), 556 (78%), 507 (71%), and 498 (70%) at 1-4 years post-operatively.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were similar except for higher weight and BMI in LSG. There was greater weight loss with RYGB vs. LSG at all points. Hemoglobin A1c and total cholesterol improved more in RYGB vs. LSG at 4 years. There was greater remission of hypertension and discontinuation of all medications for hypertension and diabetes with RYGB at 4 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Weight loss, reduction in medications for hypertension and diabetes, improvements in markers of diabetes and hyperlipidemia, and remission rates of hypertension were superior with RYGB vs. LSG 4 years post-operatively. Choice of bariatric procedures should be tailored to surgical risk, comorbidities, and weight loss goals.

Exploring pre-surgery and post-surgery substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder in bariatric surgery: a qualitative scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Bariatric surgery (BS) produces superior weight loss compared to non-surgical interventions. However, studies suggest bariatric patients who have undergone gastric-bypass surgery have an increased risk of developing new onset substance use disorder (SUD) or suffer negative outcomes after surgery. As such, many bariatric programs consider alcohol/ illicit drug misuse a contraindication to BS. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate weight loss outcomes, post-surgery substance use patterns and other morbidity/mortality in BS patients with a history of substance use/SUD.

METHODS

Studies were identified by searching Ovid Medline(R), Embase, and PsychInfo. We included all study types investigating humans of any age/sex who had undergone any BS procedure with data regarding substance use before and/or after surgery. Outcome measures included metabolic outcomes and psychiatric outcomes after bariatric surgery in patients reporting substance use prior to bariatric surgery and substance use patterns after bariatric surgery.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight studies were included in the review. Studies reporting weight loss after BS did not demonstrate an association between substance use and negative weight loss outcomes. Several studies reported a significant portion of participants having new onset or increased substance use after BS. Factors associated with new onset or increased substance use/SUD after BS included the type of surgery, a history of SUD, a family history of SUD, coping skills/life stressors, age, male sex and alcohol sensitization after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Substance use history does not appear to influence weight loss after BS, however it may contribute to increased substance use after BS. Clinicians should ensure valid screening tools when assessing BS candidates for substance use history and ensure long term follow-up care post-operatively.

Precision medicine in adult and pediatric obesity: a clinical perspective

It remains largely unknown as to why some individuals experience substantial weight loss with obesity interventions, while others receiving these same interventions do not. Person-specific characteristics likely play a significant role in this heterogeneity in treatment response. The practice of precision medicine accounts for an individual's genes, environment, and lifestyle when deciding upon treatment type and intensity in order to optimize benefit and minimize risk. In this review, we first discuss biopsychosocial determinants of obesity, as understanding the complexity of this disease is necessary for appreciating how difficult it is to develop individualized treatment plans. Next, we present literature on person-specific characteristics associated with, and predictive of, weight loss response to various obesity treatments including lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, metabolic and bariatric surgery, and medical devices. Finally, we discuss important gaps in our understanding of the causes of obesity in relation to the suboptimal treatment outcomes in certain patients, and offer solutions that may lead to the development of more effective and targeted obesity therapies.

Association of preoperative hemoglobin with weight loss after bariatric surgery: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Despite the known positive correlation between exercise and weight loss after bariatric surgery as well as the established association of hemoglobin level with maximal aerobic power and endurance performance, the correlation between preoperative hemoglobin concentration (pre-Hb) and postoperative weight loss remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at assessing the association of pre-Hb with postoperative percentage weight loss (%WL) at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery.

SETTING

A single tertiary referral center.

METHODS

Outcomes of 282 patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at the 4 timepoints within a 24-month follow-up period were assessed. The primary study endpoint was the relationship between pre-Hb and postoperative %WL at 12-month follow-up.

RESULTS

The 282 patients had a mean preoperative body mass index of 39.0 ± 4.5 kg/m² with a slight female predominance (57.4%). Follow-up data were available for 221 of 282 (78.4%) patients (mean %WL: 30.9% ± 6.6%) at 1 year. Pearson's correlation showed that pre-Hb correlated positively with post-Hb (r = 0.778, P < .001) and %WL (r = .237, P < .001) at 12-month follow-up but not at 24 months (r = .145, P = .331). Multiple linear regression analyses including baseline variables of age, sex, preoperative body mass index, and diabetes revealed that pre-Hb, age, and preoperative body mass index were independent predictors of %WL. There was no evidence of multicollinearity among these variables.

CONCLUSION

The present study showed a potential positive relationship between pre-Hb and postoperative weight loss. More well-designed, large-scale studies are warranted to clarify the effect of hemoglobin level on postoperative weight loss in this patient population.

Assessment of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, Physical Activity Levels, and Quality of Life in Stratified Groups up to 10 Years after Bariatric Surgery

Obesity is a highly prevalent chronic metabolic disease, with an increasing incidence, and is currently approaching epidemic proportions in developing countries. Ouraim was to evaluate the activity levels, quality of life (QoL), clinical parameters, laboratory parameters, and cardiometabolic risk factors afterbariatric surgery (BS). We classified78 patients who underwentBS into four groups, as follows: Those evaluated 1-2 years after BS (BS2), 2-4 years after BS (BS4), 4-6 years after BS (BS6), and 6-10 years after BS (BS+6). Body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), comorbidities associated with obesity (ACRO), physical activity level, and QoL were evaluated. Patients exhibited improvements in BW, BMI, cardiometabolic risk, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes and significant changes in lipid profiles in the first postoperative yearafter BS.The physical activity level inthe BS2, BS4, and BS6 groups was increased, compared with that in the first postoperative year, with a decrease in International Physical Activity Questionnaire scores at 1 year in the BS2 (207.50 ± 30.79), BS4 (210.67 ± 33.69), and BS6 (220.00 ± 42.78) groups. The QoL of patients in theBS2 and BS4 groups was excellent and that of patients in the BS4 and BS+6 groupswas very good. These findings suggest that BS promoted improved physical activity levels and QoL and reduced comorbidities in patients with morbid obesity.

Issues in Measuring and Interpreting Human Appetite (Satiety/Satiation) and Its Contribution to Obesity

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The goals of this paper are to report current research practices in investigations of human appetite control and to assess their relationships with emerging theoretical principles. Appetite is often distinguished by the separation of homeostatic and hedonic processes.

RECENT FINDINGS

This report assesses the validity of a homeostatic toolkit to measure subjectively perceived hunger and its relationship to the developing processes of satiation (control of meal size) and satiety (control of the post-eating period). The capacity of a procedure to measure the influence of hedonic processes on food intake is also evaluated. A major issue is the relationship between the pattern of eating behaviour (influenced by the underlying drive to eat and the inhibition induced by the act of eating itself) and the parallel underlying profile of hormonal and other metabolic biomarkers. Increasing recognition is being given to individual variability in the expression of appetite, and the fact that the use of the average (mean) response conceals important information about the nature of appetite control. There is a growing interest in the identification of satiety phenotypes that operate in parallel to metabolic phenotypes. Interestingly, energy expenditure (metabolic and behavioural) contributes to an energy balance framework for understanding energy intake (appetite).

Association of Race With Bariatric Surgery Outcomes

Importance

The outcomes of bariatric surgery vary considerably across patients, but the association of race with these measures remains unclear.

Objective

To examine the association of race on perioperative and 1-year outcomes of bariatric surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Propensity score matching was used to assemble cohorts of black and white patients from the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative who underwent a primary bariatric operation (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, or adjustable gastric banding) between June 2006 and January 2017. Cohorts were balanced on baseline characteristics and procedure. Conditional fixed-effects models were used to evaluate the association of race on outcomes within hospitals and surgeons. Data analysis occurred from June 2006 through August 2018.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Thirty-day complications and health care resource utilization measures, as well as 1-year weight loss, comorbidity remission, quality of life, and satisfaction.

Results

In each group, 7105 patients were included. Black patients had a higher rate of any complication (628 [8.8%] vs 481 [6.8%]; adjusted odds ratio, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.17-1.51]; P = .02), but there were no significant differences in the rates of serious complications (178 [2.5%] vs 135 [1.9%]; adjusted odds ratio, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.05-1.66]; P = .29) or mortality (5 [0.10%] vs 7 [0.10%]; adjusted odds ratio, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.23-2.31]; P = .54). Black patients had a greater length of stay (mean [SD], 2.2 [3.0] days vs 1.9 [1.7] days; adjusted odds ratio, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.20-0.40]; P < .001), as well as a higher rate of emergency department visits (541 [11.6%] vs 826 [7.6%]; adjusted odds ratio, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.43-1.79]; P < .001) and readmissions (414 [5.8%] vs 245 [3.5%]; adjusted odds ratio, 1.73 [95% CI, 1.47-2.03]; P < .001). At 1 year, black patients had lower mean total body weight loss and as a percentage of weight (32.0 kg [26%]; vs 38.3 kg [29%]; P < .001) and this held true across procedures. Remission of hypertension was lower for black patients (564 [40.0%] vs 1096 [56.0%]; P < .001), but the rate of sleep apnea remission (467 [62.6%] vs 615 [56.1%]; P = .005) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (309 [78.6%] vs 453 [75.4%]; P = .049) were higher. There were no significant differences in remission of diabetes with insulin dependence, diabetes without insulin dependence,or hyperlipidemia hyperlipidemia. Fewer black patients than white patients reported a good or very good quality of life (1379 [87.2%] vs 2133 [90.4%]; P = .002) and being very satisfied with surgery (1908 [78.4%] vs 2895 [84.2%]; P < .001) at 1 year.

Conclusions and Relevance

Black patients undergoing bariatric surgery in Michigan had significantly higher rates of 30-day complications and resource utilization and experienced lower weight loss at 1 year than a matched cohort of white patients. While sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease remission were higher and hypertension remission lower in black patients, comorbidity remission was otherwise similar between matched cohorts. Racial and cultural differences among patients should be considered when designing strategies to optimize outcomes with bariatric surgery.