Safety of Bariatric Surgery in Morbidly Obese Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Analysis, 2004-2014.

Background: Despite rising rates of obesity among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals, the safety and tolerability of surgery in this population have not been established. The primary aim of this study was to examine the safety of bariatric surgery and rate of in-hospital postoperative complications in morbidly obese patients with HIV. Materials and Methods: The U.S. Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried between 2004 and 2014 for discharges with codiagnoses of morbid obesity and bariatric surgery. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included length of stay, hospitalization costs, and multiple categories of complications, including systemic complications, surgical complications, and nutritional and behavioral complications. Results: Among 267,082 patients with discharge diagnoses of morbid obesity and bariatric surgery, 346 (0.13%) were diagnosed with HIV. On multivariable analysis, HIV did not influence in-hospital mortality (p = 0.530). HIV was not associated with increased risk of renal failure (p = 0.274), thromboembolism (p = 0.713), myocardial infarction (p = 0.635), sepsis (p = 0.757), hemorrhage (p = 0.303), or wound infection (p = 0.229). Other measured surgical complications were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Notably, HIV-positive patients had an increased risk for postoperative pneumonia (p = 0.002), pancreatitis (p = 0.049), and thiamine deficiency (p = 0.016). Conclusion: Bariatric surgery among HIV-positive patients appears to be acceptably safe with the risk of postoperative complications comparable with non-HIV patients.

Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Outcomes of Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: a Nationwide Inpatient Sample Analysis, 2004-2014.

BACKGROUND: With advances in disease-specific treatments and improved overall survival, obesity rates are rising among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the role of bariatric surgery on clinical outcomes among hospitalized obese patients with SCD. METHODS: The United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried between 2004 and 2014 for discharges with co-diagnoses of morbid obesity and SCD. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included vaso-occlusive crisis, acute chest syndrome, biliary-pancreatic complications, renal failure, urinary tract infection, malnutrition, sepsis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, thromboembolic events, strictures, wound infection, length of stay, and hospitalization costs. Using Poisson regression, adjusted incidence risk ratios (IRR) were derived for clinical outcomes in patients with prior-bariatric surgery compared to those without bariatric surgery. RESULTS: Among 2549 patients with a discharge diagnosis of SCD and morbid obesity, only 42 patients (1.7%) had bariatric surgery. On multivariable analysis, bariatric surgery did not influence mortality (P = 0.98). Bariatric surgery was not associated with increased risk for acute chest syndrome, sepsis, multi-organ failure, biliary-pancreatic, or surgery-related complications (all P > 0.05). Interestingly, bariatric surgery decreased risk of vaso-occlusive crises (IRR 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07-0.69; P = 0.01) in these patients and was associated with a shorter length of stay (P < 0.001) but higher hospitalization costs (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery may lower rates of vaso-occlusive crises in morbidly obese sickle cell patients without significantly affecting mortality and other adverse outcomes. In spite of this, these weight loss surgeries are underutilized in this select population.

Impact of bariatric surgery on outcomes of patients with celiac disease: a nationwide inpatient sample analysis, 2004-2014.

BACKGROUND: While patients with celiac disease have increasingly developed an atypical pattern of weight gain and obesity, the role of bariatric surgery remains unclear. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bariatric surgery on clinical outcomes among hospitalized patients with celiac disease. METHODS: The United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried for discharges with co-diagnoses of morbid obesity and celiac disease between 2004 and 2014. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included renal failure, urinary tract infection, malnutrition, sepsis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, thromboembolic events, strictures, micronutrient deficiency, length of stay, and hospitalization costs. Using Poisson regression, adjusted incidence risk ratios (IRR) were derived for clinical outcomes in patients with prior bariatric surgery compared to those without bariatric surgery. RESULTS: Among 1499 patients with a discharge diagnosis of celiac disease and morbid obesity, 126 patients (8.4%) underwent bariatric surgery. Despite an increase in morbid obesity over the study period, the proportion of morbidly obese patients with celiac disease who had bariatric surgery declined by 18.5% (Ptrend<0.05). On multivariable analysis, bariatric surgery did not influence mortality (P=0.98), but was associated with a lower risk of renal failure, pneumonia, sepsis, urinary tract infection and respiratory failure (all P<0.05). Bariatric surgery increased the risk of vitamin D deficiency (IRR 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-7.7; P=0.002) and post-operative strictures (IRR 3.3; 95%CI 1.5-7.5; P=0.004). CONCLUSION: Despite the underutilization of bariatric surgery in morbidly obese celiac disease patients, the procedure is safe and appears to significantly reduce morbidity.

Bariatric Surgery and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The association between obesity and rising incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the USA has been documented; however, the role of bariatric surgery remains less clear. AIM: To evaluate the cross-sectional association of prior-bariatric surgery and HCC. METHODS: The United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried from 2004 to 2014 for discharges with a diagnosis of morbid obesity. Primary outcomes of interest were HCC and in-hospital mortality rate. Secondary outcomes were length of stay and cost. Baseline characteristics were balanced using propensity score matching (PSM). Using Poisson and logistic regressions, adjusted HCC prevalence ratio (PR) and mortality odds ratio (OR) were derived in patients with prior-bariatric surgery compared to those without bariatric surgery. RESULTS: Of the 2,881,414 patients included in our study, 267,082 (9.3%) underwent bariatric surgery. From 2004 to 2014, there was a threefold increase in age-adjusted prevalence of HCC from 27 per 100,000 to 72 per 100,000 (PTrend < 0.001). After PSM, 230,956 patients with prior-bariatric surgery were matched with 230,956 patients without bariatric surgery. Prior-bariatric surgery was associated with lower prevalence of HCC (PR 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03-0.48; P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was also lower for patients with surgery (OR 0.22; 95% CI, 0.20-0.26; P < 0.001). The occurrence of HCC added $18,840 extra cost, increased mean length of stay by 2 (95% CI; 1-3) days, and increased risk of death by 65% (aOR 1.65; 95% CI 1.18-2.29). CONCLUSION: In this nationwide study of morbidly obese patients, prior-bariatric surgery was associated with a lower prevalence of HCC and lower in-patient mortality.

Impact of bariatric surgery in patients with HIV infection: a nationwide inpatient sample analysis, 2004-2014.

OBJECTIVE: Despite rising rates of obesity among patients with HIV, the potential role for weight loss surgery in this population remains less clear. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the role of bariatric surgery on relevant clinical outcomes among hospitalized obese patients with HIV. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis using the United States Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2004 to 2014. Using Poisson regression, adjusted incidence risk ratios (IRR) were derived for clinical outcomes in patients with prior-bariatric surgery compared with those without bariatric surgery. PATIENTS: Patients with discharge co-diagnoses of morbid obesity and HIV. INTERVENTION: Bariatric surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included renal failure, urinary tract infection, malnutrition, sepsis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, thromboembolic events, gastrointestinal strictures, micronutrient deficiency, length of stay, and hospitalization costs. RESULTS: Among 7803 patients with discharge diagnoses of HIV and morbid obesity, 346 patients (4.4%) had bariatric surgery. The proportion of bariatric surgery in obese patients with HIV initially declined by -0.10% per year from 2004 to 2009 (Ptrend < 0.05), then increased at an annual rate of +0.33% from 2012 to 2014 (Ptrend < 0.05). On multivariable analysis, bariatric surgery did not influence mortality (P = 0.98). Bariatric surgery was associated with decreased risk for renal failure, respiratory failure, and sepsis (all P < 0.001). However, bariatric surgery increased the risk for postoperative strictures (IRR 2.5; 95% CI 1.5-4.5; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Though initially underutilized, bariatric surgery in morbidly obese HIV patients is increasing and appears to be well tolerated and effective in significantly reducing life-threatening morbidity.

Prevalence and determinants of selected cardio-metabolic risk factors among people living with HIV/AIDS and receiving care in the South West Regional Hospitals of Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk factors are not routinely assessed in the care of HIV patients in developing countries, known to have the highest disease burden. We described the prevalence and factors associated with major cardio-metabolic risk factors (obesity, diabetes and hypertension) in HIV/AIDS patients. RESULTS: The prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity were 11.3% (95% CI 8.10-15.43), 24.8% (95% CI 20.1-30.0) and 14.5% (95% CI 11.1-19.3) respectively. Central obesity and high alcohol intake were the factors significantly associated with diabetes mellitus, while central obesity and overweight/obesity were significantly associated with having hypertension. Short duration of antiretroviral therapy was the significant predisposing factor for obesity. On multivariate analyses, the only association observed was between central obesity and diabetes (Adjusted OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.01-6.30, P = 0.048). Conclusively, DM, HTN and obesity are highly prevalent in HIV/AIDS patients in the SWR hospitals of Cameroon, with that of DM and obesity being higher than that seen in the general population while that of HTN equaling that of the general population. Awareness of these data among clinicians involved in the management of these patients should be emphasized.

Fasting Triglyceride Concentrations are Associated with Early Mortality Following Antiretroviral Therapy in Zambia.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, 8 to 71% of patients initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) die within the first year of treatment. Apart from baseline CD4 count, viral load, hemoglobin, BMI and stage of the disease, there may be other variables that contribute to AIDS-related mortality. We investigated the potential role of nutrition, lipids and insulin resistance-related phenotypes in predicting early mortality. METHODS: We recruited 210 HAART-naïve HIV/AIDS patients in Lusaka, Zambia. Dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, fasting serum insulin, glucose, and lipid profiles were assessed at baseline. Mortality was assessed after 90 days of follow-up. We used logistic regression models to identify variables associated with mortality. RESULTS: The mean±SD for age, BMI and CD4 count at baseline were 34±7.4 y, 20±3 kg/m(2) and 138±52 cells/µL, respectively. Sixteen patients (7.6%) died during follow-up. Triglyceride concentrations were associated with increased mortality [odds ratio (OR) for 1 mmol/L increase in triglyceride concentration=2.51; 95% CI: 1.34-4.71]. This association remained significant (OR=3.24; 95% CI: 1.51-6.95) after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, alcohol use, total cholesterol, BMI, CD4 count and n3 fatty acid intake. Apart from higher n3 fat intake which was inversely associated with mortality (survivors: 1.81±0.99% total energy/day vs. non-survivors 1.28±0.66% energy/day, P=0.04), there were no other macronutrients associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Triglyceride concentrations at the time of initiating HAART are independently associated with increased risk for early mortality. If this association is confirmed in larger studies, assessment of triglycerides could become part of routine care of HIV patients initiating HAART in developing countries.