Health change awareness and its association with weight loss following bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Patients' ability to judge health change over time has important clinical implications for treatment, but is understudied in longitudinal contexts with meaningful health change. We assess patients' awareness of health change for 5 years following bariatric surgery, and its association with weight loss. METHOD: Participants were part of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (N = 2,027). Perceived health change for each year was assessed by comparing it to self-reports of health on the SF-36 health survey. Participants were categorized as concordant when perceived and actual self-reported health change corresponded, and as discordant when they did not correspond. RESULTS: Year-to-year concordance between perceived and actual self-reported health change occurred less than 50% of the time. Discordance between perceived and actual health was associated with weight loss following surgery. Discordant-positive participants who perceived their health change as more positive than was warranted lost more weight post-surgery and thus had lower body mass index scores than concordant participants. Conversely, discordant-negative participants who perceived their health as worse than what was warranted lost less weight post-surgery and thus had higher body mass index scores. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that recollection of past health is generally poor and can be biased by salient factors during recall. Clinicians are advised to use caution when retrospective judgments of health are utilized. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Implementation of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program and outcomes of bariatric surgery.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates the performance of bariatric surgery prior to and after the implementation of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). METHODS: The eras prior to (2007-2015) and after (2016-2018) the transition to MBSAQIP were compared for patients, operations and outcomes using adjusted logistic regression estimates. RESULTS: Thirty-day surgical (6%vs.2.9%,p < 0.01) and medical (3.4%vs.1.7%,p < 0.01) complications rates were reduced over the period 2007 through 2018. Th use of sleeve gastrectomy has steadily increased from 2010 to 2018 (14%vs.66.6%,p < 0.01). The proportion of patients who were discharged early continued to rise (9.8%vs.46.9%,p < 0.01) from 2007 to 2018. The MBSAQIP period was associated with reduced odds for 30-day surgical (OR = 0.86,CI = [0.81-0.91]) and medical (OR = 0.81,CI = [0.75-0.88]) complications. Implementation of the MBSAQIP was also predictive of early discharge (OR = 1.93,CI = [1.90-2.00]). CONCLUSION: The type of bariatric procedure, in addition to trends in morbidity and hospital stays, gradually changed from 2007 to 2018. Our findings suggest that outcomes of bariatric operations have improved over the past decade. The MBSAQIP era is associated with lower rates of complications and greater likelihood of early discharge, independent of the procedure type.

The clinical effectiveness and safety of intravenous unfractionated heparin following digital replantation and revascularization: A narrative systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Digital replants and revascularization (DRV) have been performed since the 1960s but there are no recognized standard peri-operative anticoagulation practices. A narrative systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and safety of therapeutic peri-operative unfractionated heparin following DRV was undertaken. METHODS: A review of the literature from 1985 to March 2022 was conducted using Medline, Embase, CINAHL and EBM reviews. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) use following DRV was compared to low-molecular weight heparin, other anticoagulants or no anticoagulation. Randomized trials, observational studies as well as guidelines were selected and independently screened. The Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias (RoB 2) tool and ROBINS-I were used to appraise risk of bias. RESULTS: While the search strategy identified 1490 references, only six studies met the inclusion criteria. Significant heterogeneity and the low methodological quality of the evidence precluded a meta-analysis. Among the four studies that documented the surgical success rate associated with the use of a therapeutic dose of UFH post DRV, only two reported improved clinical outcomes. Evidence of a higher complication rate related to UFH use was found in four studies. Low quality evidence suggests that a therapeutic dose of unfractionated heparin leads to a higher risk of complications when compared with heparin given as an intermittent bolus of unfractionated heparin or subcutaneous heparin, or prostaglandin E1 or no heparin. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence suggests that IV UFH use following DRV has no significant impact on the success of the intervention. Heparin use may not be innocuous as some studies showed increased bleeding complications.

Validity of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for estimation of visceral adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue change after surgery-induced weight loss in women with severe obesity.

OBJECTIVE: Reliable and simple methods to quantify visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and VAT changes are needed. This study investigated the validity of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for estimating VAT cross sectionally and longitudinally after surgery-induced weight loss in women with severe obesity. METHODS: Women with obesity (n = 36; mean age 43 [SD 10] years; 89% White) with DXA and MRI before bariatric surgery (T0) at 12 (T12) and 24 months (T24) post surgery were included. CoreScan (GE Healthcare, Chicago, Illinois) estimated VAT from 20% of the distance between the top of the iliac crest and the base of the skull. MRI VAT (total VAT) was measured from the base of the heart to the sacrum/coccyx on a whole-body scan. RESULTS: Mean DXA VAT was 45% of MRI VAT at T0, 46% at T12, and 68% at T24. DXA underestimated change in MRI VAT between T0 and T12 by 26.1% (0.81 kg, p = 0.03) and by 71.7% (0.43 kg, p < 0.001) between T12 and T24. The relationship between DXA VAT and MRI VAT differed between T12 and T24 (p value for interaction = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: CoreScan lacks validity for comparing VAT across individuals or for estimating the size of changes within individuals; however, within the limits of measurement error, it may provide a useful indicator of whether some VAT change has occurred within an individual.

Five-year attrition, active enrollment, and predictors of level of participation in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS-2) study.

BACKGROUND: Reporting high-quality bariatric surgery outcomes depends on participant attrition and level of study participation among enrolled participants. OBJECTIVES: Our aims are to report participant attrition, active enrollment, and level of participation, and to evaluate pre-surgery sociodemographic, physical health, and psychosocial factors as predictors of attrition and level of participation through 5 years. SETTING: The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2 study which enrolled 2458 adults undergoing a first bariatric surgical procedure at 1 of 6 US cites from 2006 through 2009. METHODS: In-person research assessments were conducted pre-surgery and annually for five years. Extensive retention strategies including offering remote assessments (telephone, email, mail, or a combination) were fully implemented in 2009. Among living participants, including those inactivated, annual follow-up assessments were categorized as in-person, remote or missed through 5 years. RESULTS: By year 5, 1.7% of participants had died and 3.2% had withdrawn or were inactivated by the study staff; thus, attrition was 4.9% (n = 121). Controlling for site and calendar year, missed assessments increased from 14.7%-21.8% between years 1 and 2 and then stayed relatively stable (20.8%-19.6%) for years 3-5. Younger age, male sex, White race, lower body mass index, smoking, illicit drug use, and higher weight loss expectations preoperatively were independently associated with a higher likelihood of a missed versus in-person assessment across follow-up. CONCLUSION: The LABS-2 participant attrition was low. The percentage of missed assessments did not increase after year 2, perhaps due to implementation of a comprehensive retention plan. Predictors of missed assessments highlight subgroups to target for focused retention efforts.

Changes in Smoking Behavior Before and After Gastric Bypass: A 7-year Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate smoking history and change in smoking behavior, from 1 year before through 7 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, and to identify risk factors for post-surgery smoking. BACKGROUND: Smoking behavior in the context of bariatric surgery is poorly described. METHODS: Adults undergoing RYGB surgery entered a prospective cohort study between 2006 and 2009 and were followed up to 7 years until ≤2015. Participants (N = 1770; 80% female, median age 45 years, median body mass index 47 kg/m2) self-reported smoking history pre-surgery, and current smoking behavior annually. RESULTS: Almost half of participants (45.2%) reported a pre-surgery history of smoking. Modeled prevalence of current smoking decreased in the year before surgery from 13.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 12.1-15.4] to 2.2% (95% CI = 1.5-2.9) at surgery, then increased to 9.6% (95% CI = 8.1-11.2) 1-year post-surgery and continued to increase to 14.0% (95% CI = 11.8-16.0) 7-years post-surgery. Among smokers, mean packs/day was 0.60 (95% CI = 0.44-0.77) at surgery, 0.70 (95% CI = 0.62-0.78) 1-year post-surgery and 0.77 (95% CI = 0.68-0.88) 7-years post-surgery. At 7-years, smoking was reported by 61.7% (95% CI = 51.9-70.8) of participants who smoked 1-year pre-surgery (n = 221), 12.3% (95% CI = 8.5-15.7) of participants who formerly smoked but quit >1 year pre-surgery (n = 507), and 3.8% (95% CI = 2.1-4.9) of participants who reported no smoking history (n = 887). Along with smoking history (ie, less time since smoked), younger age, household income <$25,000, being married or living as married, and illicit drug use were independently associated with increased risk of post-surgery smoking. CONCLUSION: Although most adults who smoked 1-year before RYGB quit pre-surgery, smoking prevalence rebounded across 7-years, primarily due to relapse.

Postbariatric hypoglycemia: symptom patterns and associated risk factors in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery study.

BACKGROUND: Postbariatric hypoglycemia (PBH) can be a devastating complication for which current therapies are often incompletely effective. More information is needed regarding frequency, incidence, and risk factors for PBH. OBJECTIVES: To examine hypoglycemia symptoms following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and baseline and in-study risk factors. SETTING: Multicenter, at 10 US hospitals in 6 geographically diverse clinical centers. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal cohort study of adults undergoing RYGB or LAGB as part of clinical care between 2006 and 2009 were recruited and followed until January 31, 2015, with baseline and annual postoperative research assessments. We analyzed baseline prevalence and post-operative incidence and frequency of self-reported hypoglycemia symptoms as well as potential preoperative risk factors. RESULTS: In all groups, postoperative prevalence of hypoglycemia symptoms was 38.5%. Symptom prevalence increased postoperatively from 2.8%-36.4% after RYGB in patients without preoperative diabetes (T2D), with similar patterns in prediabetes (4.9%-29.1%). Individuals with T2D had higher baseline hypoglycemia symptoms (28.9%), increasing after RYGB (57.9%). Hypoglycemia symptoms were lower after LAGB, with 39.1% reported hypoglycemia symptoms at only 1 postoperative visit with few (4.0%) having persistent symptoms at 6 or more annual visits. Timing of symptoms was not restricted to the postprandial state. Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia were reported in 2.6-3.6% after RYGB. The dominant risk factor for postoperative symptoms was preoperative symptoms; additionally, baseline selective serotonin (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine (SNRI) reuptake inhibitor use was also associated with increased risk in multivariable analysis. Weight loss and regain were not related to hypoglycemia symptom reporting. CONCLUSION: Hypoglycemia symptoms increase over time after RYGB, particularly in patients without diabetes. In a small percentage, symptoms can be persistent or severe and require hospitalization. Preoperative hypoglycemia symptoms and SSRI/SNRI use in RYGB patients without diabetes is associated with increased risk of symptoms.

Robotic-assisted surgery enhances the learning curve while maintaining quality outcomes in sleeve gastrectomy: a preliminary, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of robotic-assisted bariatric surgery has been on the rise. An increasing number of fellowship programs have adopted robotic surgery as part of the curriculum. Our aim was to compare technical efficiency of a surgeon during the first year of practice after completing an advanced minimally invasive fellowship with a mentor surgeon. METHODS: A systematic review of a prospectively maintained database was performed of consecutive patients undergoing robotic-assisted sleeve gastrectomy between 2015 and 2019 at a tertiary-care bariatric center (mentor group) and between 2018 and 2019 at a semi-academic community-based bariatric program (mentee 1 group) and 2019-2020 at a tertiary-care academic center (mentee 2 group). RESULTS: 257 patients in the mentor group, 45 patients in the mentee 1 group, and 11 patients in the mentee 2 group were included. The mentee operative times during the first year in practice were significantly faster than the mentor's times in the first three (mentee 1 group) and two (mentee 2 group) years (P < 0.05) but remained significantly longer than the mentor's times in the last two (mentee 1 group) and one (mentee 2 group) years (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in venothromboembolic events (P = 0.89) or readmission rates (P = 0.93). The mean length of stay was 1.8 ± 0.5 days, 1.3 ± 0.5 days, and 1.5 ± 0.5 days in the mentor, mentee 1, and mentee 2 groups, respectively (P < 0.0001). There were no reoperations, conversion to laparoscopy or open, no staple line leaks, strictures, or deaths in any group. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the first series to show that the robotic platform can safely be taught and may translate into outcomes consistent with surgeons with more experience while mitigating the learning curve as early as the first year in practice. Long-term follow-up of mentees will be necessary to assess the evolution of fellowship training and outcomes.

Robotic Duodenal Switch Is Associated with Outcomes Comparable to those of Laparoscopic Approach.

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: This study evaluates the outcomes of robotic duodenal switch (RDS) when compared to conventional laparoscopy (LDS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), patients who underwent RDS were compared to those of LDS (2015-2018) for perioperative characteristics and thirty-day postoperative outcomes. Operative complexity, complications, and resource utilization trends were plotted over the included years for the two approaches. Multivariable analysis was conducted to characterize the impact of each approach on these outcomes. RESULTS: Of 7235 minimally invasive operations, 5720 (79.1%) were LDS while 1515 (20.9%) were RDS. Intraoperative endoscopy, anastomosis testing, and shorter operative duration were associated with LDS. RDS group had more concomitant procedures with less attending assistance. The odds ratios of organ space infection and sepsis were equivalent. RDS increased the odds ratios for venous thromboembolism [VTE] (odds ratio [OR] = 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-4.8, p = 0.02) and early discharge (OR = 7.3, CI = 4.9-10.9, p < 0.01). The difference in wound infection between LDS and RDS has been decreasing (1.5% and 1.5% in 2018 from 2.3% and 4.1% in 2015, respectively) over the years. Similarly, the decreasing trends were noted for systemic infections. CONCLUSION: While the development of VTE after RDS was higher, most of the other complications were comparable between LDS and RDS in this study. RDS may reduce the need for advanced intraoperative assistance and minimize hospital stay in select cases, without increasing morbidity. The recent trends suggest a gradual decrease in the variations between LDS and RDS outcomes over time.

Robotic-assisted approaches to GERD following sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most common bariatric operation in the United States but increases the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of our study was to describe our experience with robotic-assisted management of intractable GERD after SG. METHODS: A systematic review of a prospectively maintained database was performed of consecutive patients undergoing robotic-assisted magnetic sphincter augmentation placement after sleeve gastrectomy (MSA-S group) or conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB group) for GERD from 2015 to 2019 at our tertiary- care bariatric center. These were compared to a consecutive group of patients undergoing robotic-assisted magnetic sphincter augmentation placement (MSA group) for GERD without a history of bariatric surgery from 2016 to 2019. The primary outcome was perioperative morbidity. Secondary outcomes were operative time (OT), 90-day re-intervention rate, length of stay, symptom resolution and weight change. RESULTS: There were 51 patients included in this study; 18 patients in the MSA group, 13 patients in the MSA-S group, and 20 patients in the RYGB group. There was no significant difference in age, gender, ASA score, preoperative endoscopic findings, or DeMeester scores (P > 0.05). BMI was significantly higher in patients undergoing RYGB compared to MSA or MSA-S (P < 0.0001). There were significant differences in OT between the MSA and RYGB groups (P < 0.0001) and MSA-S and RYGB groups (P = 0.009), but not MSA group to MSA-S group (P = 0.51). There was no significant difference in intraoperative and postoperative morbidity (P = 1.0 and P = 0.60, respectively). 30-day morbidity: 5.6% (MSA), 15.4% (MSA-S) and 15% (RYGB). There was no difference on PPI discontinuation among groups, with more than 80% success rate in all. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the robotic platform in the different approaches available for treatment of GERD after SG appears to be a feasible option with low morbidity and high success rate. Further data is needed to support our findings.

Poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (Phasix™) mesh onlay in complex abdominal wall repair.

BACKGROUND: Poly-4-hydroxybutyric acid (P4HB, Phasix™) is a biosynthetic polymer that degrades by hydrolysis that can be woven into a mesh for use in soft tissue reinforcement. Herein, we describe our initial experience performing complex abdominal wall repair (CAWR) utilizing component separation and P4HB mesh as onlay reinforcement. METHODS: All patients undergoing CAWR between June 2014 and May 2017 were followed prospectively for postoperative outcomes. Only those patients who underwent components separation with primary repair of the fascial edges followed by onlay of P4HB mesh were included in this study. RESULTS: 105 patients (52 male, 53 female; mean age 59.2 years, range 22-84) met inclusion criteria. Mean BMI was 29.1 (range 16-48); 52% patients had prior attempted hernia repair, most with multiple medical comorbidities (71% of patients with ASA 3 or greater). 30% of cases were not clean at the time of repair (CDC class 2 or greater). Median follow-up was 36 months (range 9-63). Eighteen patients (17%) developed a hernia recurrence ranging from 2 to 36 months postoperatively. Five (5%) patients developed a localized superficial infection treated with antibiotics, three (2.8%) required re-operation for non-healing wounds, and six (6%) patients developed seroma. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate a relatively low rate of hernia recurrence, seroma, and other common complications of CAWR in a highly morbid patient population. Importantly, the rate of mesh infection was low and no patients required complete mesh removal, even when placed into a contaminated or infected surgical field.

Diabetes Remission Status During Seven-year Follow-up of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Study.

CONTEXT: Few studies have examined the clinical characteristics that predict durable, long-term diabetes remission after bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVE: To compare diabetes prevalence and remission rates during 7-year follow-up after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and laparoscopic gastric banding (LAGB). DESIGN: An observational cohort of adults with severe obesity recruited between 2006 and 2009 who completed annual research assessments for up to 7 years after RYGB or LAGB. SETTING: Ten US hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: A total sample of 2256 participants, 827 with known diabetes status at both baseline and at least 1 follow-up visit. INTERVENTIONS: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or LAGB. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diabetes rates and associations of patient characteristics with remission status. RESULTS: Diabetes remission occurred in 57% (46% complete, 11% partial) after RYGB and 22.5% (16.9% complete, 5.6% partial) after LAGB. Following both procedures, remission was greater in younger participants and those with shorter diabetes duration, higher C-peptide levels, higher homeostatic model assessment of ß-cell function (HOMA %B), and lower insulin usage at baseline, and with greater postsurgical weight loss. After LAGB, reduced HOMA insulin resistance (IR) was associated with a greater likelihood of diabetes remission, whereas increased HOMA-%B predicted remission after RYGB. Controlling for weight lost, diabetes remission remained nearly 4-fold higher compared with LAGB. CONCLUSIONS: Durable, long-term diabetes remission following bariatric surgery is more likely when performed soon after diagnosis when diabetes medication burden is low and beta-cell function is preserved. A greater weight-independent likelihood of diabetes remission after RYGB than LAGB suggests mechanisms beyond weight loss contribute to improved beta-cell function after RYGB.Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00465829.

Stratification of Readmission after Bariatric Surgery by Day of Post-Discharge Presentation.

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Reasons of postoperative readmissions may vary based on the timing of rehospitalization. This study characterizes predictors and causes for readmission after bariatric surgery on day-to-day basis after discharge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program data, patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy were identified. Perioperative factors of early readmissions (post-discharge days 0-9) were compared to those of late readmissions (post-discharge days 10-30). Multivariable analysis was conducted to identify predictors of early versus late readmissions. Reasons for readmissions were characterized on day-to-day basis. RESULTS: Of 509,631 operations, 19,061 (3.7%) cases were readmitted. Of these, 9666 (50.7%) were early, while 9395 (49.3%) were late readmissions. White race (OR = 1.2, CI = [1.1-1.3]), revisional surgery (OR = 1.2, CI = [1.1-1.4]), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (OR = 1.2, CI = [1.1-1.3]), pulmonary complication (OR = 1.8, CI = [1.5-2.3]), bleeding (OR = 2, CI = [1.6-2.6]), and post-acute care (OR = 1.8, CI = [1.2-2.6]) were predictors of early readmission. Late readmission was associated with body mass index ≥ 40 (CI = 0.83, OR = [0.77-0.89]), renal/urological complication (OR = 0.6, CI = [0.5-0.8]), and deep vein thrombosis (OR = 0.5, CI = [0.4-0.6]). PO intolerance or dehydration/electrolyte imbalance was the most common readmission reason, peaking on post-discharge days 19-30. Pain, medical complications, obstruction, and bleeding were causes of early readmissions. However, venous thromboembolism readmissions peaked after post-discharge day 9. CONCLUSION: Complex bariatric operations and patients who require post-discharge extended care are associated with early readmissions. Such readmissions are due to early post-discharge complications. However, late readmissions are driven by interrelated risk factors and complications. These findings suggest that targeting patients at risk for delayed rehospitalization is the most efficient approach to minimize readmissions after bariatric surgery.

Associations of Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery with Long-Term Weight Trajectories and Birth Weight: LABS-2 Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine whether pregnancy following bariatric surgery affects long-term maternal weight change and offspring birth weight. METHODS: Using data from the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS)-2 study, linear regression was used to evaluate percent change in total body weight over a 5-year follow-up period among reproductive-aged women who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding as well as evaluate the association of bariatric procedure type and offspring birth weight. RESULTS: Of 727 women with preoperative age of 36.1 (6.3) years (mean [SD]) and BMI of 46.9 (7.0) kg/m2 , 80 (11%) reported at least one pregnancy. After adjusting for covariates, percent change in total body weight was not significantly different between women who became pregnant and those who did not during a 5-year follow-up period (ß = 2.02; 95% CI: -1.03 to 5.07; P = 0.19). Additionally, mean birth weight was not significantly different between mothers who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (P = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative pregnancy did not diminish long-term weight loss in women in the LABS-2 study. The finding of comparable weight loss is relevant for providers counseling women of reproductive age on weight-loss expectations and family planning following bariatric surgery.

Treatment Utilization and Socioeconomic Disparities in the Surgical Management of Gastroparesis.

BACKGROUND: Gastroparesis is an end-organ sequela of diabetes. We evaluated the roles of race and socioeconomic status in hospitalization rates and utilization of surgical treatments in these patients. METHODS: Data was extracted from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) between the years 2012 and 2014, and any discharge diagnosis of gastroparesis (536.3) was included. Gastrostomy, jejunostomy, and total parenteral nutrition were considered nutritional support procedures, and procedures aimed at improving motility were considered definitive disease-specific procedures: pyloroplasty, endoscopic pyloric dilation, gastric pacemaker placement, and gastrectomy. RESULTS: There were 747,500 hospitalizations reporting a discharge diagnosis of gastroparesis. On multivariable analysis, black race (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.89-1.98; p < 0.001) and Medicaid insurance (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.42-1.50; p < 0.001) were the strongest socioeconomic risk factors for hospitalization due to gastroparesis. Patients in urban teaching institutions were most likely to undergo a surgical intervention for gastroparesis (5.53% of patients versus 3.94% of patients treated in urban non-teaching hospitals and 2.38% of patients in rural hospitals; p < 0.001). Uninsured patients were less than half as likely to receive treatment compared to those with private insurance (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.34-0.48; p < 0.001), and black patients had an OR 0.75 (95% CI 0.69-0.81; p < 0.001) for receiving treatment. Urban teaching hospitals had a twofold higher likelihood of intervention (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.84-2.44; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Marked racial and economic disparities exist in surgical distribution of care for gastroparesis, potentially driven by differences in utilization of care.

Resting Energy Expenditure and Organ-Tissue Body Composition 5 Years After Bariatric Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery-induced weight loss may reduce resting energy expenditure (REE) and fat-free mass (FFM) disproportionately thereby predisposing patients to weight regain and sarcopenia. METHODS: We compared REE and body composition of African-American and Caucasian Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients after surgery with a group of non-operated controls (CON). REE by indirect calorimetry; skeletal muscle (SM), trunk organs, and brain volumes by MRI; and FFM by DXA were measured at post-surgery visits and compared with CON (N = 84) using linear regression models that adjusted for relevant covariates. Ns in RYGB were 50, 42, and 30 for anthropometry and 39, 27, 17 for MRI body composition at years 1, 2, and 5 after surgery, respectively. RESULTS: Regression models adjusted for age, weight, height, ethnicity, and sex showed REE differences (RYGB minus CON; mean ± s.e.): year 1 (43.2 ± 34 kcal/day, p = 0.20); year 2 (- 27.9 ± 37.3 kcal/day, p = 0.46); year 5 (114.6 ± 42.3 kcal/day, p = 0.008). Analysis of FFM components showed that RYGB had greater trunk organ mass (~ 0.4 kg) and less SM (~ 1.34 kg) than CON at each visit. REE models adjusted for FFM, SM, trunk organs, and brain mass showed no between-group differences in REE (- 15.9 ± 54.8 kcal/day, p = 0.8; - 46.9 ± 64.9 kcal/day, p = 0.47; 47.7 ± 83.0 kcal/day, p = 0.57, at years 1, 2, and 5, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Post bariatric surgery patients maintain a larger mass of high-metabolic rate trunk organs than non-operated controls of similar anthropometrics. Interpreting REE changes after weight loss requires an accurate understanding of fat-free mass composition at both the organ and tissue levels. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Long-term Effects of Bariatric Surgery (LABS-2) NCT00465829.

Mortality after bariatric surgery: findings from a 7-year multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Patients having bariatric surgery have lower mortality compared with those with similar body mass index who do not undergo surgery. It is unclear whether mortality post-bariatric surgery is similar to the general population. The benefit of bariatric surgery would be highlighted should people previously at high risk for premature death have comparable, or better, mortality as the general population. OBJECTIVE: To compare mortality after bariatric surgery to the general U.S. population of the same age, sex, and race. SETTING: The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2 (LABS-2) prospective cohort of 2458 adults who underwent bariatric surgery at 10 U.S. hospitals between 2006 and 2009. METHODS: Deaths were identified via LABS-2 follow-up and the National Death Index. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) of post-bariatric surgery mortality observed in LABS-2 versus age-, sex-, race-, and year-adjusted expected mortality in the general U.S. population were calculated and compared with 1, which results when the number of observed and expected deaths are equal. RESULTS: LABS-2 median follow-up was 6.6 (interquartile range: 5.9-7.0) years postsurgery. Seventy-six deaths were observed over 15,616 person-years (PY) of observation (4.9 deaths/1000 PY). The rate expected in the general U.S. population with the same age, sex, race, and year distribution was 4.8 deaths per 1000 PY (SMR = 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .80-1.27). There were no significant differences between observed and expected mortality by surgical procedure. Compared with expected mortality in the general U.S. population, people 35-44 years old at time of surgery had significantly more deaths (SMR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.22-3.25), while people at least 55 years of age had significantly fewer (SMR = .63, 95% CI: .42-.92). Significantly more deaths than expected occurred in the perioperative period and 5-7 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality within 7 years of bariatric surgery is comparable to the general U.S. population, which is likely to have better survival than people with severe obesity. However, more deaths than expected were identified 5-7 years after surgery.

Weight loss and co-morbidity resolution between different races and ethnicities after gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated that minorities and Hispanic ethnicities have disproportionally greater burden of morbid obesity in the United States. However, the majority of bariatric procedures are performed in the non-Hispanic white population. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the weight loss and remission of obesity-related co-morbidities based on race and ethnicity. SETTING: The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery prospective, multicenter, observational study was used to collect patients from 10 different health centers across the United States. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a prospective, multicenter, observational study over a 5-year follow-up. RESULTS: All patients who underwent primary gastric bypass and provided racial/ethnic information were included in the study (n = 1695). Regardless of race or ethnicity, total weight loss was maintained over a 5-year follow-up, which included 87% of the original cohort. However, whites had on average 1.94% higher adjusted total weight loss compared with blacks (P < .0001). After adjusting for confounders there were no significant differences in resolution of co-morbidities, including diabetes. CONCLUSION: All patients regardless of race or ethnicity have significant and sustained total weight loss and resolution of co-morbidities after gastric bypass at 5-year follow-up.

Bariatric Surgery Among Medicare Subgroups: Short- and Long-Term Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to examine weight change, postoperative adverse events, and related outcomes of interest among age-qualified (AQ) and disability-qualified (DQ) Medicare recipients compared with non-Medicare (NM) patients undergoing an initial bariatric procedure. METHODS: The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS-2) is an observational cohort study of 2,458 adults who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) bariatric surgery. Weight, percentage body fat, functional status, and comorbidities, as well as postoperative adverse events, were assessed at baseline and annually for 5 years. The 1,943 participants who reported insurance type were categorized into the following groups: AQ, DQ, or NM. RESULTS: The median preoperative BMI ranged from 45 to 48 kg/m2 across groups. For RYGB, 5-year BMI loss was approximately 30% for all groups, and for LAGB, BMI loss was 12% to 15%. Diabetes remission after 5 years was also similar across groups within procedure types (RYGB: 33%-40%; LAGB: 13%-19%). The frequency of adverse events after RYGB ranged from 4.1% for NM participants to 6.7% for DQ participants. After LAGB, there were no adverse events for the AQ group, whereas 3% of DQ participants and 1.8% of NM participants had at least one adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: Medicare participants experienced substantial BMI loss and diabetes remission, with a frequency of adverse events similar to that of NM participants.