Abstract
Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on bariatric care from the patients’ point of view. The COVID-19 pandemic has perturbed the functioning of healthcare systems around the world and led to changes in elective surgical care, with bariatric procedures being postponed until the end of pandemic. There is no data in the literature about the effect of a new epidemiological situation on bariatric patients. Methods: The study was designed as an online survey containing multiple open questions about bariatric care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was conducted among pre- and postoperative bariatric patients. Results: Out of 800 respondents, 74.53% felt anxiety about their health in regard to the present epidemiologic state. Some (72.25%) were aware of the fact that obesity was an important risk factor that could impair the course of the COVID-19 disease. Almost 30% of respondents admitted having put on weight, significantly more in the group of preoperative patients (43.8% vs. 22.69%; p < 0.001). Only 20.92% of patients had a possibility of continuing direct bariatric care; 67.3% of patients had an opportunity of remote contact with a bariatric specialist, including online consultations, teleconsultations and social media meetings. Conclusions: Limited access to medical care and quarantine lockdown may result in a deterioration of long-time operation outcomes and lower weight losses. Patients should be encouraged to profit from online consultations with specialists and telemedicine to reduce the negative effects of the pandemic on their health.
Highlights
The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on bariatric care from the patients’ point of view
In February 2020, the disease was designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19, which stands for Coronavirus Disease 2019
Our study based on a national range survey among pre- and postoperative bariatric patients presents the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the life of bariatric patients
Summary
The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on bariatric care from the patients’ point of view. There is no data in the literature about the effect of a new epidemiological situation on bariatric patients. Methods: The study was designed as an online survey containing multiple open questions about bariatric care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients should be encouraged to profit from online consultations with specialists and telemedicine to reduce the negative effects of the pandemic on their health. It is essential that patients receive long-term follow-up and monitoring to help them achieve the estimated weight loss, reduction of comorbidities and to prevent long-term problems that may arise following surgery [4]. There were more than 10,000 COVID-19 cases reported and 400 people died because of COVID-19 pneumonia, but this data is most likely underestimated
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