Faculty Collaboration Database

The Association of Preoperative Food Insecurity With Early Postoperative Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery. J Surg Res 2024 Feb;294:51-57

Date

10/22/2023

Pubmed ID

37864959

DOI

10.1016/j.jss.2023.09.054

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85174168780 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   1 Citation

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: To assess the rate of food insecurity in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. To compare the rates of 30-d postoperative complications based on food security status.

METHODS: Patients undergoing primary Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy between 7/2020 - 3/2022 were screened for food insecurity via telephone using questions from the Accountable Health Communities Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool. Screens were matched to patient data and 30-d outcomes from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program database.

RESULTS: In total, 213 (59%) of the 359 bariatric surgery patients were screened with 81 (38%) screening positive for food insecurity. Evaluation of preoperative variables based on food security status showed comparable age, body mass index, and comorbidity status. Food insecure patients were found to have an increased length of stay following surgery compared to food secure patients (P = 0.003). Food insecurity was not associated with higher rates of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program reported 30-d postoperative complications including emergency department/urgent care visits (P = 0.34) and hospital readmissions (P = 0.94).

CONCLUSIONS: Food insecurity was prevalent at 38% of the bariatric surgical population. Food insecure patients had a statistically longer length of stay after primary bariatric surgery but were not associated with an increased risk of 30-d complications. Future studies are needed to determine the mid-term and long-term effects of food insecurity status on bariatric surgical outcomes and the potential impact of food insecurity on length of stay.

Author List

Mathson LR, Lak KL, Gould JC, Higgins RM, Kindel TL

Authors

Jon Gould MD Chief, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Rana Higgins MD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Tammy Lyn Kindel MD, PhD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Kathleen L. Lak MD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Bariatric Surgery
Comorbidity
Gastrectomy
Gastric Bypass
Humans
Laparoscopy
Obesity, Morbid
Postoperative Complications
Retrospective Studies
Treatment Outcome