Examining the Hispanic paradox in bariatric surgery

Cognitive function 10 years after adolescent bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Adolescent bariatric surgery produces substantial weight loss and reduction of medical co-morbidities. Research in adult samples shows improved cognitive function postoperatively, although much less is known about the potential cognitive benefits of bariatric surgery in adolescents-especially at extended follow-up.

OBJECTIVE

Examine cognitive function 10 years after adolescent bariatric surgery.

SETTING

University hospital.

METHODS

A total of 99 young adults who underwent bariatric surgery as adolescents completed a computerized cognitive test battery as part of a larger 10-year postoperative assessment. All had been long-term participants in the Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen-LABS) study.

RESULTS

Cognitive dysfunction was prevalent on tests of attention and executive function (e.g., Continuous Performance Test - Reaction Time 30%; Maze Errors - Overrun 30%), and 53.5% met research criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Modified Poisson regression with robust error variance revealed participants with preoperative hypertension and those completing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were more likely to meet criteria for MCI at 10-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings indicate that cognitive deficits are common 10 years after bariatric surgery. Additional studies are needed to clarify possible cohort effects, determine whether these cognitive deficits persist to even later follow-up (e.g., 20 yr after surgery), and identify underlying mechanisms and mitigation strategies.

ASMBS statement on metabolic and bariatric surgery for beneficiaries of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services with a review of the literature

This position statement is issued by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric. Surgery in response to inquiries made to the Society by patients, physicians, Society members, hospitals, health insurance payors, the media, and others regarding the access and outcomes of metabolic and bariatric surgery for beneficiaries of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This position statement is based on current clinical knowledge, expert opinion, and published peer-reviewed scientific evidence available at this time. The statement is not intended to be and should not be construed as stating or establishing a local, regional, or national standard of care. This statement will be revised in the future as additional evidence becomes available.

A Call to Reconceptualize Obesity Treatment in Service of Health Equity: Review of Evidence and Future Directions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Rates of obesity and associated comorbidities are higher among Black and Latino adults compared to white adults. We sought to provide an overview of both structural and individual factors contributing to obesity inequities and synthesize available evidence regarding treatment outcomes in Black and Latino adults, with an eye towards informing future directions.

RECENT FINDINGS

Obesity disparities are influenced by myriad systemic issues, yet the vast majority of interventions target individual-level factors only, and most behavioral treatments fail to target drivers beyond eating and physical activity. Extant treatments are not equally accessible, affordable, or effective among Black and Latino adults compared with white counterparts. Asset-based, culturally relevant interventions that target the root causes of obesity and address intersectional stress-designed in partnership with intended beneficiaries-are urgently needed. Treatment trials must improve enrollment of Black and Latino adults and report treatment outcomes by race and ethnicity.

African American Patients Experience Worse Outcomes than Hispanic Patients Following Bariatric Surgery: an Analysis Using the MBSAQIP Data Registry

BACKGROUND

Obesity rates in Hispanics and African Americans (AAs) are higher than in Caucasians in the USA, yet the rate of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) for weight loss remains lower for both Hispanics and AAs.

METHODS

Patient demographics and outcomes of adult AA and Hispanic patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) procedures were analyzed using the MBSAQIP dataset [2015-2018] using unmatched and propensity-matched data.

RESULTS

In total, 173,157 patients were included, of whom 98,185 were AA [56.7%] [21,163-RYGB; 77,022-SG] and 74,972 were Hispanic [43.3%] [20,282-RYGB; 54,690-SG]). Preoperatively, the AA cohort was older, had more females, and higher BMIs with higher rates of all tracked obesity-related medical conditions except for diabetes, venous stasis, and prior foregut surgery. Intra- and postoperatively, AAs were more likely to experience major complications including unplanned ICU admission, 30-day readmission/reintervention, and mortality. After propensity matching, the differences in ED visits, treatment for dehydration, 30-day readmission, 30-day intervention, and pulmonary embolism remained for both SG and RYGB cohorts. Progressive renal insufficiency and ventilator use lost statistical significance in both cohorts. Conversely, 30-day reoperation, postoperative ventilator requirement, unplanned intubation, unplanned ICU admission, and mortality lost significance in the RYGB cohort, but not SG patients.

CONCLUSION

Outcomes for AA patients were worse than for Hispanic patients, even after propensity matching. After matching, differences in major complications and mortality lost significance for RYGB, but not SG. These data suggest that outcomes for RYGB may be driven by the presence and severity of pre-existing patient-related factors.

Pre-operative cardiopulmonary, metabolic, abdominal, and somatic variations by race in men with obesity resolve after Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB): Dyslipidemia and psychologicals by race persist

BACKGROUND

Whether/how LRYGB men vary by race in clinical characteristics/post-operative outcomes is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

Identify male pre-/post LRYGB clinical/outcomes variations by race.

METHODS

Data from 17,734 LYRGB BOLD database men were analyzed in five groups: African American (AA, n = 1310), Caucasian (C, n = 14,168), Asian (A, n = 53), Hispanic (H, n = 1519), and Other (O, Pacific Islander, Native American, or more than one race, n = 684).

DATA

demographics, BMI, and 28 weight-related conditions.

RESULTS

Pre-LRYGB age, health insurance, unemployment, BMI, and 24/28 obesity related comorbidities varied by race (p < 0.01). Highest pre-LRYGB: AA 4, C 14, A 5, H none, O 1 comorbidity. 12 month BMI and 14 comorbidities varied by race (p < 0.05). 24 months only dyslipidemia, depression, and psychological impairment varied by race (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Demographics, BMI and 24 obesity comorbidities vary by race in LRYGB men, but only 3 at 24 months. Caucasians have the greatest cardiopulmonary related comorbidities. This advanced knowledge may facilitate peri-operative management.

National Trends and Outcomes in Adolescents Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND

In the US, obesity continues to be a severe health issue now affecting adolescents. Bariatric surgery remains the most effective treatment for obesity, but use among adolescents remains low. The objective of this study was to identify current national trends in bariatric surgery among adolescents.

STUDY DESIGN

Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, adolescents aged 9 to 19 with a diagnosis of morbid obesity who underwent a laparoscopic gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) between 2015 and 2018 were identified. Demographics, comorbidities, and in-hospital complications were collected. National estimates were calculated. The trend of annual number of operations was determined by Kruskal-Wallis rank test.

RESULTS

Between 2015 and 2018, 1,203 adolescents were identified, resulting in a nationwide estimate of 4,807 bariatric cases. The number of bariatric operations increased annually from 1,360 in 2015 to 1,740 operations in 2018 (p = 0.0771). The majority of patients were female (76%), 17 to 19 years old (84.1%), and White (47.9%). Most patients underwent SG (82.0%). Black and Hispanic patients comprised 40.2% of the cohort. Significant comorbidities included diabetes, dyslipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The average length of stay decreased from 2.12 days to 1.64 days. There were no in-hospital mortalities, and complications were less than 1%.

CONCLUSIONS

With the increasing prevalence of obesity among adolescents in the US, bariatric surgery increased over time but was performed less in patients younger than 16 years of age and racial minorities. Bariatric surgery among adolescents remains safe, with extremely low complication rates and zero in-hospital mortality.

Disparities in esophageal cancer care based on race: a National Cancer Database analysis

Esophageal cancer is one of the most common cancer killers in our country. The effects of racial disparities on care for esophageal cancer patients are incompletely understood. Using the National Cancer Database, we investigated racial disparities in treatment and outcome of esophageal cancer patients. The National Cancer Database was queried from 2004 to 2017. Logistic regression and survival analysis were used to determine racial differences in access, treatment and outcome. A total of 127,098 patients were included. All minority groups were more likely to be diagnosed at advanced stages versus Caucasians after adjusting for covariates (African American OR-1.64 [95% confidence interval 1.53-1.76], Hispanic OR-1.19 [1.08-1.32], Asian OR-1.78 [1.55-2.06]). After adjustment, all minorities were less likely at every stage to receive surgery. Despite these disparities, Hispanics and Asians had improved survival compared with Caucasians. African Americans had worse survival. Racial disparities for receiving surgery were present in both academic and community institutions, and at high-volume and low-volume institutions. Surgery partially mediated the survival difference between African Americans and Caucasians (HR-1.13 [1.10-1.16] and HR-1.04 [1.02-1.07], without and with adjustment of surgery).There are racial disparities in the treatment of esophageal cancer. Despite these disparities, Hispanics and Asians have improved overall survival versus Caucasians. African Americans have the worst overall survival. Racial disparities likely affect outcome in esophageal cancer. But other factors, such as epigenetics and tumor biology, may correlate more strongly with outcome for patients with esophageal cancer.

Racial disparities in complications and mortality after bariatric surgery: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown racial discrepancies in the rates of postoperative adverse events following bariatric surgery (BS). We aim to systematically review the literature examining racial disparities in postoperative adverse events.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and SCOPUS databases were searched for studies that reported race, postoperative adverse events and/or length of stay.

RESULTS

Thirty-five studies were included. Most compared Black and White patients using standardized databases. Racial/ethnic terminology varied. The majority found increased 30-day mortality and morbidity and length of stay in Black relative to White patients. Differences between White and Hipanic patients were mostly non-significant in these outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Black patients may experience higher rates of adverse events than White patients within 30 days following bariatric surgery. Given the limitations in the large multicenter databases, explanations for this disparity were limited. Future research would benefit from longer-term studies that include more races and ethnicities and consider socioeconomic factors.

Introducing a Bariatric Surgery Program at a Large Urban Safety Net Medical Center Serving a Primarily Hispanic Patient Population

Background

Few bariatric surgery programs exist at safety net hospitals which often serve patients of diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. A bariatric surgery program was developed at a large urban safety net medical center serving a primarily Hispanic population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate safety, feasibility, and first-year outcomes to pave the way for other safety net bariatric programs.

Methods

The bariatric surgery program was started at a safety net hospital located in a neighborhood with over twice the national poverty rate. A retrospective review was performed for patient demographics, comorbidities, preoperative diet and exercise habits, perioperative outcomes, and 1-year outcomes including percent total weight lost (%TWL) and comorbidity reduction.

Results

A total of 153 patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy from May 2017 through December 2019. The average preoperative BMI was 47.9kg/m², and 54% of patients had diabetes. The 1-year follow-up rate was 94%. There were no mortalities and low complication rates. The average 1-year %TWL was 22.8%. Hypertension and diabetes medications decreased in 52% and 55% of patients, respectively. The proportion of diabetic patients with postoperative HbA1c <6.0% was 49%.

Conclusion

This is one of the first reports on the outcomes of a bariatric surgery program at a safety net hospital. This analysis demonstrates feasibility and safety, with no mortalities, low complication rates, and acceptable %TWL and comorbidity improvement. More work is needed to investigate the impacts of race, culture, and socioeconomic factors on bariatric outcomes in this population.

Graphical abstract

Differences in outcomes after emergency general surgery between Hispanic subgroups in the New Jersey State Inpatient Database (2009-2014): The Hispanic population is not monolithic

BACKGROUND

Our aim was to examine differences in clinical outcomes between Hispanic subgroups who underwent emergency general surgery (EGS).

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of the HCUP State Inpatient Database from New Jersey (2009-2014), including Hispanic and non-Hispanic White (NHW) adult patients who underwent EGS. Multivariable analyses were performed on outcomes including 7-day readmission and length of stay (LOS).

RESULTS

125,874 patients underwent EGS operations. 22,971 were Hispanic (15,488 with subgroup defined: 7,331 - Central/South American; 4,254 - Puerto Rican; 3,170 - Mexican; 733 - Cuban). On multivariable analysis, patients in the Central/South American subgroup were more likely to be readmitted compared to the Mexican subgroup (OR 2.02; p < 0.001, respectively). Puerto Rican and Central/South American subgroups had significantly shorter LOS than Mexican patients (Puerto Rico -0.58 days; p < 0.001; Central/South American -0.30 days; p = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant differences in EGS outcomes between Hispanic subgroups. These differences could be missed when data are aggregated at Hispanic ethnicity.

Weight loss dynamics following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. An analysis of 10-year follow-up data

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) still remains the gold-standard bariatric procedure. Short-term weight loss and improvement of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) after LRYGB are well-documented. Little data are available on long-term weight loss and continued remission of DM2 in these patients.

METHODS

This study reports on weight loss and remission of DM2 in 576 consecutive patients who underwent primary LRYGB between August 2001 and August 2009 with at least 10-year follow up. All patients were treated at a single institution by a single surgeon. All data were collected and entered into the database prospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 576 patients were included in the study. Patients' mean age was 38.2 ± 10.9 years and females represented 88.2% of patients. Patients' ethnicity was diverse, including African Americans (44.4%), Caucasians (34.0%), Hispanics (18.1%), and 3.5% from other backgrounds. On average, there were 6.9 ± 2.7 comorbidities per patient and DM2 was initially present in 150/576 patients (26.0%). Mean preoperative weight and BMI were 132.4 ± 22.0 kg and 48.3 ± 6.7 kg/m², respectively. Ten-year follow-up reporting rate was 145/576 (25.2%). Maximum weight loss occurred at 18 months (mean weight 83.4 ± 16.5 kg, mean BMI 30.5 ± kg/m²). At 10 years, mean weight was maintained at 94.8 ± 20.5 kg and mean BMI was 34.3 ± 6.8 kg/m². The average weight regain between one and ten years was 8.27 kg. Among patients with preoperative DM2, continued remission of DM2 at 10 years occurred in 19/32 (59.4%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

LRYGB provides durable long-term weight loss, as well as successful remission of DM2 at 10 years. More long-term follow-up studies evaluating weight loss and comorbidities extending beyond the initial 10-year period are needed. Such studies are essential for projecting late outcomes of LRYGB, particularly in younger patients with life expectancy exceeding several decades.