Preoperative Depression Status and 5 Year Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Outcomes in the PCORnet Bariatric Study Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether depression status before metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) influenced 5-year weight loss, diabetes, and safety/utilization outcomes in the PCORnet Bariatric Study. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Research on the impact of depression on MBS outcomes is inconsistent with few large, long-term studies. METHODS: Data were extracted from 23 health systems on 36,871 patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG; n=16,158) or gastric bypass (RYGB; n=20,713) from 2005-2015. Patients with and without a depression diagnosis in the year before MBS were evaluated for % total weight loss (%TWL), diabetes outcomes, and postsurgical safety/utilization (reoperations, revisions, endoscopy, hospitalizations, mortality) at 1, 3, and 5 years after MBS. RESULTS: 27.1% of SG and 33.0% of RYGB patients had preoperative depression, and they had more medical and psychiatric comorbidities than those without depression. At 5 years of follow-up, those with depression, versus those without depression, had slightly less %TWL after RYGB, but not after SG (between group difference = 0.42%TWL, P = 0.04). However, patients with depression had slightly larger HbA1c improvements after RYGB but not after SG (between group difference = - 0.19, P = 0.04). Baseline depression did not moderate diabetes remission or relapse, reoperations, revision, or mortality across operations; however, baseline depression did moderate the risk of endoscopy and repeat hospitalization across RYGB versus SG. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with depression undergoing RYGB and SG had similar weight loss, diabetes, and safety/utilization outcomes to those without depression. The effects of depression were clinically small compared to the choice of operation.

Decision regret up to 6 years after sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is one of the most popular types of weight loss surgery today but is neither risk-free nor universally effective. We previously demonstrated that 5% of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients and up to 20% of gastric banding patients report overall regret 4 years after surgery. This study explores patients' attitudes toward their decision to have SG and decision regret rates up to 6 years postoperatively. METHODS: We surveyed 185 patients who were at least 6 months post-SG (response rate 30%). We used a modified version of the Decision Regret Scale developed by Brehaut et al. We converted responses to a 0-100 scale so that higher scores (> 50) reflect greater regret. We characterized patients who expressed having overall decision regret (score > 50) vs. those who did not (≤ 50). Demographic and preoperative clinical information was extracted from the online medical records. RESULTS: Of 185 SG patients, only 13 (7%) reported regret scores > 50 (i.e. high decision regret). Mean time from SG to survey completion was 41 months (range 6-76 months). Unadjusted comparisons between the two groups revealed that patients with high regret scores had lower mean weight loss (32.1% vs. 48.9% EBMIL), and reported less improvement in quality-of-life (QoL), such as physical health (46.2% vs. 93.5% "somewhat" or "significantly" improved). The two groups were similar in short-term complications, but those reporting overall regret were more likely to report GI complaints such as bloating (61.5% vs. 30.4%). Finally, patients with regret scores > 50 were more likely to be further out from SG (median time since surgery 61.8 vs. 41.1 months). CONCLUSION: In our study, very few patients reported regret (7%) up to 6 years postoperatively, in line with prior reports after RYGB. Those with regret reported poorer QoL.

Racial and insurance disparities among patients presenting with chest pain in the US: 2009-2015.

BACKGROUND: Nationally representative studies have shown significant racial and socioeconomic disparities in the triage and diagnostic evaluation of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain. However, these studies were conducted over a decade ago and have not been updated amidst growing awareness of healthcare disparities. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to reevaluate the effect of race and insurance type on triage acuity and diagnostic testing to assess if these disparities persist. METHODS: We identified ED visits for adults presenting with chest pain in the 2009-2015 National Hospital Ambulatory Health Care Surveys. Using weighted logistic regression, we examined associations between race and payment type with triage acuity and likelihood of ordering electrocardiography (ECG) or cardiac enzymes. RESULTS: A total of 10,441 patients met inclusion criteria, corresponding to an estimated 51.4 million patients nationwide. When compared with white patients, black patients presenting with chest pain were less likely to have an ECG ordered (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.69-0.99). Patients with Medicare, Medicaid, and no insurance were also less likely to have an ECG ordered compared to patients with private insurance (Medicare: OR = 0.79, CI = 0.63-0.99; Medicaid: OR = 0.67, CI = 0.53-0.84; no insurance: OR = 0.68, CI = 0.55-0.84). Those with Medicare and Medicaid were less likely to be triaged emergently (Medicare: OR = 0.84, CI = 0.71-0.99; Medicaid: OR = 0.76, CI = 0.64-0.91) and those with Medicare were less likely to have cardiac enzymes ordered (OR = 0.84, CI = 0.72-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Persistent racial and insurance disparities exist in the evaluation of chest pain in the ED. Compared to earlier studies, disparities in triage acuity and cardiac enzymes appear to have diminished, but disparities in ECG ordering have not. Given current Class I recommendations for ECGs on all patients presenting with chest pain emergently, our findings highlight the need for improvement in this area.

Predictors Associated with Survival Among Elderly In-Patients Who Receive Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Japan: An Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the outcomes of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in Asian populations including elderly patients in Japan. OBJECTIVE: To determine the survival outcome of in-hospital CPR among elderly patients in Japan, and to identify predictors associated with survival. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study in 81 Japanese hospitals from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2016. PATIENTS: We included elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years) who received CPR after 2 days of hospitalization. MAIN MEASURES: The primary outcome was survival at hospital discharge and the secondary outcomes were the discharge disposition and consciousness level of patients who survived to hospital discharge. To determine predictors associated with survival after in-hospital CPR, we fit multivariable models for patient-level and institutional-level factors. KEY RESULTS: Among the 5365 patients who received CPR, 595 (11%) survived to discharge. Of those who survived to discharge, 46% of patients were discharged home, and 10% of patients were comatose at discharge. Older age and higher burden of comorbidities were associated with reduced survival. The adjusted OR was 0.35 (95% CI, 0.22-0.55) for age ≥ 90 years compared to age 65-69 years, and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.48-0.97) for Charlson Comorbidity Index score of ≥ 4 compared with score of 0. Other predictors of reduced survival included receiving CPR on weekends compared to weekdays (AOR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.51-0.77) and in small hospitals compared to large hospitals (AOR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40-0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Among elderly patients in Japan, the survival rate of in-hospital CPR was approximately one in ten, and less than half of these patients were discharged home. In addition to older age and higher illness burden, receiving CPR on weekends and/or in small hospitals were significant predictors of reduced survival. These findings should be considered in advanced care planning discussions with elderly patients to avoid subjecting patients to CPR that are likely futile.

Should This Patient Have Weight Loss Surgery?: Grand Rounds Discussion From Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Obesity is an important public health priority in the United States. One third of U.S. adults are obese and therefore can expect higher rates of diabetes mellitus, other obesity-related comorbidities, and mortality. In 2013, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the Obesity Society, and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery issued a guideline that recommended weight loss (bariatric) surgery for all patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m2 or higher and for those with a BMI of 35 kg/m2 or greater in the presence of at least 1 obesity-related comorbidity. Among the 3 most commonly performed surgeries, the amount of excess weight reduction ranges from 49% for laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding to 76% for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. In accredited centers, perioperative mortality averages 0.3%. In this Beyond the Guidelines, 2 experts in obesity management, a bariatric surgeon and a general internist, discuss the role of weight loss surgery versus dietary and lifestyle modification, both in general and for a specific patient who is eligible for surgery. Ethnic and age-related variability in the effects of obesity on mortality, as well as potential long-term benefits and risks of weight loss surgery for patient subgroups, are discussed.

Comparing Use of Low-Value Health Care Services Among U.S. Advanced Practice Clinicians and Physicians.

BACKGROUND: Many physicians believe that advanced practice clinicians (APCs [nurse practitioners and physician assistants]) provide care of relatively lower value. OBJECTIVE: To compare use of low-value services among U.S. APCs and physicians. DESIGN: Service use after primary care visits was evaluated for 3 conditions after adjustment for patient and provider characteristics and year. Patients with guideline-based red flags were excluded and analyses stratified by office- versus hospital-based visits, acute versus nonacute presentations, and whether clinicians self-identified as the patient's primary care provider (PCP). SETTING: National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS), 1997 to 2011. PATIENTS: Patients presenting with upper respiratory infections (URIs), back pain, or headache. MEASUREMENTS: Use of guideline-discordant antibiotics (for URIs), radiography (for URIs and back pain), computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (for headache and back pain), and referrals to other physicians (for all 3 conditions). RESULTS: 12 170 physician and 473 APC office-based visits and 13 359 physician and 2947 APC hospital-based visits were identified. Although office-based clinicians saw similar patients, hospital-based APCs saw younger patients (mean age, 42.6 vs. 45.0 years; P < 0.001), and practiced in urban settings less frequently (49.7% vs. 81.7% of visits; P < 0.001) than hospital-based physicians. Unadjusted and adjusted results revealed that APCs ordered antibiotics, CT or MRI, radiography, and referrals as often as physicians in both settings. Stratification suggested that self-identified PCP APCs ordered more services than PCP physicians in the hospital-based setting. LIMITATION: NHAMCS reflects hospital-based APC care; NAMCS samples physician practices and likely underrepresents office-based APCs. CONCLUSION: APCs and physicians provided an equivalent amount of low-value health services, dispelling physicians' perceptions that APCs provide lower-value care than physicians for these common conditions. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: U.S. Health Services and Research Administration, Ryoichi Sasakawa Fellowship Fund, and National Institutes of Health.

Sex, race, and the adverse effects of social stigma vs. other quality of life factors among primary care patients with moderate to severe obesity.

BACKGROUND: Patients with obesity face widespread social bias, but the importance of this social stigma to patients relative to other quality of life (QOL) factors is unclear. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine the importance of obesity-related social stigma relative to other QOL factors on reducing patients' overall well-being. DESIGN: We used a cross-sectional telephone interview. SETTING: The study was conducted at four diverse primary care practices in Greater Boston. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and thirty-seven primary care patients aged 18-65 years and with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m(2) or higher participated in the study. MAIN MEASURES: Patients' health utility (preference-based QOL measure) was determined via responses to a series of standard gamble scenarios assessing willingness to risk death to lose various amounts of weight or to achieve perfect health. We used the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-lite instrument to assess QOL domains specific to obesity (physical function, self-esteem, sexual life, public distress or social stigma, and work), and we examined variation in utility explained by these domains. KEY RESULTS: Depending on patients' race/ethnicity, mean health utilities ranged from 0.92 to 0.99 among men and from 0.89 to 0.93 among women. After adjustment for race, BMI, and education, none of the QOL domains explained much of the variation in utility among men, except for work function among Hispanic men. In contrast, social stigma was the leading QOL contributor to utility for Caucasian women (explaining 6 % of the marginal variation beyond demographics and BMI). In contrast, sexual function was the most important contributor among African American women (3 % marginal variation), and work life was most important among Hispanic women (> 20 % in variation). Lower scores in one domain did not always translate into lower well-being. Moreover, QOL summary scores often explained less of the variation than some individual domains. CONCLUSION: Obesity-related social stigma had disproportionate adverse effects on Caucasian women patients' well-being, whereas weight-related impairment in work function was particularly important among Hispanic patients and impaired sexual function was important to diminished well-being among African American women although its impact appeared modest.

Recognizing disordered eating in primary care patients with obesity.

OBJECTIVE: In clinical practice, behavioral approaches to obesity treatment focus heavily on diet and exercise recommendations. However, these approaches may not be effective for patients with disordered eating behaviors. Little is known about the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors in primary care patients with obesity or whether they affect difficulty making dietary changes. METHODS: We conducted a telephone interview of 337 primary care patients aged 18-65 years with BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2) in Greater Boston, 2009-2011 (58% response rate, 69% women). We administered the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire R-18 (scores 0-100) and the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite (IWQOL-Lite) (scores 0-100). We measured difficulty making dietary changes using four questions regarding perceived difficulty changing diet (Scores 0-10). RESULTS: 50% of the patients reported high emotional eating (score>50) and 28% reported high uncontrolled eating (score>50). Women were more likely to report emotional [OR=4.14 (2.90, 5.92)] and uncontrolled eating [OR=2.11 (1.44, 3.08)] than men. African-Americans were less likely than Caucasians to report emotional [OR=0.29 (95% CI: 0.19, 0.44)] and uncontrolled eating [OR=0.11 (0.07, 0.19)]. For every 10-point reduction in QOL score (IWQOL-lite), emotional and uncontrolled eating scores rose significantly by 7.82 and 5.48, respectively. Furthermore, participants who reported emotional and uncontrolled eating reported greater difficulty making dietary changes. SUMMARY: Disordered eating behaviors are prevalent among obese primary care patients and disproportionately affect women, Caucasians, and patients with poor QOL. These eating behaviors may impair patients' ability to make clinically recommended dietary changes. Clinicians should consider screening for disordered eating behaviors and tailoring obesity treatment accordingly.

Patient race and the likelihood of undergoing bariatric surgery among patients seeking surgery.

BACKGROUND: Ethnic minority adults have disproportionately higher rates of obesity than Caucasians but are less likely to undergo bariatric surgery. Recent data suggest that minorities might be less likely to seek surgery. Whether minorities who seek surgery are also less likely to proceed with surgery is unclear. METHODS: We interviewed 651 patients who sought bariatric surgery at two academic medical centers to examine whether ethnic minorities are less likely to proceed with surgery than Caucasians and whether minorities who do proceed with surgery have higher illness burden than their counterparts. We collected patient demographics and abstracted clinical data from the medical records. We then conducted multivariable analyses to examine the association between race and the likelihood of proceeding with bariatric surgery within 1 year of initial interview and to compare the illness burden by race and ethnicity among those who underwent surgery. RESULTS: Of our study sample, 66% were Caucasian, 18% were African-American, and 12% were Hispanics. After adjustment for socioeconomic factors, there were no racial differences in who proceeded with bariatric surgery. Among those who proceeded with surgery, illness burden was comparable between minorities and Caucasian patients with the exception that African-Americans were underrepresented among those with reflux disease (0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.7) and depression (0.4, 0.2-0.7), and overrepresented among those with anemia (4.8, 2.4-9.6) than Caucasian patients. CONCLUSIONS: Race and ethnicity were not independently associated with likelihood of proceeding with bariatric surgery. Minorities who proceeded with surgery did not clearly have higher illness burden than Caucasian patients.

Design of a cluster-randomized trial of electronic health record-based tools to address overweight and obesity in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Primary care providers often fail to identify patients who are overweight or obese or discuss weight management with them. Electronic health record-based tools may help providers with the assessment and management of overweight and obesity. PURPOSE: We describe the design of a trial to examine the effectiveness of electronic health record-based tools for the assessment and management of overweight and obesity among adult primary care patients, as well as the challenges we encountered. METHODS: We developed several new features within the electronic health record used by primary care practices affiliated with Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. These features included (1) reminders to measure height and weight, (2) an alert asking providers to add overweight or obesity to the problem list, (3) reminders with tailored management recommendations, and (4) a Weight Management screen. We then conducted a pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled trial in 12 primary care practices. RESULTS: We randomized 23 clinical teams ("clinics") within the practices to the intervention group (n = 11) or the control group (n = 12). The new features were activated only for clinics in the intervention group. The intervention was implemented in two phases: the height and weight reminders went live on 15 December 2011 (Phase 1), and all of the other features went live on 11 June 2012 (Phase 2). Study enrollment went from December 2011 through December 2012, and follow-up ended in December 2013. The primary outcomes were 6-month and 12-month weight change among adult patients with body mass index ≥25 who had a visit at one of the primary care clinics during Phase 2. Secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients with a recorded body mass index in the electronic health record, the proportion of patients with body mass index ≥25 who had a diagnosis of overweight or obesity on the electronic health record problem list, and the proportion of patients with body mass index ≥25 who had a follow-up appointment about their weight or were prescribed weight loss medication. LESSONS LEARNED: We encountered challenges in our development of an intervention within the existing structure of an electronic health record. For example, although we decided to randomize clinics within primary care practices, this decision may have introduced contamination and led to some imbalance of patient characteristics between the intervention and control practices. Using the electronic health record as the primary data source reduced the cost of the study, but not all desired data were recorded for every participant. CONCLUSION: Despite the challenges, this study should provide valuable information about the effectiveness of electronic health record-based tools for addressing overweight and obesity in primary care.

Sex, race, and consideration of bariatric surgery among primary care patients with moderate to severe obesity.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is one of few obesity treatments to produce substantial weight loss but only a small proportion of medically-eligible patients, especially men and racial minorities, undergo bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVE: To describe primary care patients' consideration of bariatric surgery, potential variation by sex and race, and factors that underlie any variation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Telephone interview of 337 patients with a body mass index or BMI > 35 kg/m(2) seen at four diverse primary care practices in Greater-Boston. MEASUREMENTS: Patients' consideration of bariatric surgery. RESULTS: Of 325 patients who had heard of bariatric surgery, 34 % had seriously considered surgery. Men were less likely than women and African Americans were less likely than Caucasian patients to have considered surgery after adjustment for sociodemographics and BMI. Comorbid conditions did not explain sex and racial differences but racial differences dissipated after adjustment for quality of life (QOL), which tended to be higher among African American than Caucasian patients. Physician recommendation of bariatric surgery was independently associated with serious consideration for surgery [OR 4.95 (95 % CI 2.81-8.70)], but did not explain variation in consideration of surgery across sex and race. However, if recommended by their doctor, men were as willing and African American and Hispanic patients were more willing to consider bariatric surgery than their respective counterparts after adjustment. Nevertheless, only 20 % of patients reported being recommended bariatric surgery by their doctor and African Americans and men were less likely to receive this recommendation; racial differences in being recommended surgery were also largely explained by differences in QOL. High perceived risk to bariatric surgery was the most commonly cited barrier; financial concerns were uncommonly cited. LIMITATIONS: Single geographic region; examined consideration and not who eventually proceeded with bariatric surgery. CONCLUSION: African Americans and men were less likely to have considered bariatric surgery and were less likely to have been recommended surgery by their doctors. Differences in how obesity affects QOL appear to account for some of these variations. High perceived risk rather than financial barrier was the major deterrent for patients.