Bariatric Surgical Candidates Research Articles

Prevalence of Psychopathology in Bariatric Surgical Candidates with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review

Introduction: Bariatric surgical candidates confer an elevated risk of psychopathology. Prior reviews highlight the vulnerability and bidirectionality of psychopathology in people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Despite this, current evidence for the rates of psychopathology in people with T2DM pre and post-bariatric surgery has yet to be systematically reviewed. Objective: To perform a systematic review of the prevalence of psychopathology in adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus pre and post-bariatric surgery. Results: Seven studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, from 45,576 studies on the digital search of databases. Conclusions: Scant evidence exists which specifies cohorts of bariatric surgical patients with T2DM and rates of psychopathology. Further research is warranted to understand the risks, measures, and potential interventions for this subgroup.

Nocturnal oximetry in bariatric surgery patients referred to overnight in-lab polysomnography.

This study aimed to evaluate nocturnal oximetry approaches in identifying obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among bariatric surgical candidates. This was a cross-sectional study involving adult bariatric patients who were undergoing in-lab polysomnography and who were previously screened with the GOAL questionnaire. OSA severity was established as any OSA, moderate/severe OSA, and severe OSA. Oximetry data were evaluated as oxygen saturation (average and nadir), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) at 3%, and proportion of time spent with oxygen saturation <90%. Associations between oximetry data and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) were assessed by Spearman correlation index (r), linear regression, logistic regression, and discrimination. All oximetry values were significantly correlated with the AHI among 1,178 individuals, with the ODI emerging as the better parameter (r = 0.911, p < 0.001). Using linear regression, the ODI was the only predictor of the AHI (β = 0.952, p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the ODI was the only independent parameter predicting OSA at all severity levels. In addition, the ODI exhibited excellent discrimination to predict OSA and displayed improved performance among individuals screened as being at high risk versus those at low risk with the GOAL instrument. The ODI emerges as a valid surrogate predictor of the AHI, particularly among those screened as being at high risk for OSA.

Comparison of eGFR formulas in determining chronic kidney disease stage in bariatric patients and the impact on perioperative outcomes.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) independently increases the risk of 30-day adverse outcomes following metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). However, no studies have evaluated the stage of CKD at which increased perioperative risk is manifested. Here, we correlate 30-day major morbidities after MBS with extent of renal disease based on CKD Stage. To determine the impact of CKD stage on perioperative outcomes after bariatric surgery. Academic Hospital. From the 2017 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) database, we identified patients with CKD who underwent sleeve gastrectomy or laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. Glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) were calculated and cohorts were generated based on CKD Stage. Complication rates and rates of morbidity and mortality were compared between stages, and strengths of correlation were calculated. GFR and CKD Stage were calculated for 150,283 patients. There was a significant increase in the risk of major morbidity at each progressive stage of CKD (P < .001 for all compared stages). There was a strong positive linear correlation between increasing CKD Stage and total morbidity (r2=.983), including reoperation ( r2 = .784), readmission (r2 = .936), unplanned ICU transfer (r2 = .853), and aggregate complications such as pulmonary (r2 = .900), bleeding (r2 = .878), or progressive worsening of renal function (r2 = .845). In logistic regression, for every 10-point decrease in GFR, odds of total morbidity increased by 6%. An increased risk of perioperative complications may be seen in early stages of CKD, and risk is compounded in more advanced stages. Bariatric surgical candidates should be counseled on their increased risk of surgical complications even with mild CKD, and the benefits of bariatric surgery should be carefully weighed against significantly increased risks of complications in severe CKD.

Routine preoperative resting echocardiography does not predict adverse cardiopulmonary events after bariatric surgery.

A routine resting echocardiography has been suggested as a means to assess cardiac functioning and predict adverse cardiopulmonary events after bariatric surgery. To describe the findings of routine resting echocardiographs in bariatric surgical candidates over a 3-year period and correlate them with observed adverse cardiopulmonary outcomes. Tertiary-care university-based referral hospital. We retrospectively reviewed 422 consecutive patients who underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or laparoscopic gastric bypass at our center over 3 years, of whom 321 (76%) received a routine resting preoperative echocardiogram. Abnormal preoperative echocardiogram findings and patient characteristics were recorded. The primary outcome measure was the number of adverse cardiopulmonary events within 30 days of surgery, a composite measure defined as any instance of myocardial infarction, sustained hypotension, stroke, new-onset arrhythmia, heart failure, intensive care admission for cardiopulmonary monitoring, or cardiac arrest. Routine screening preoperative echocardiograms revealed left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in 7 patients (2%), LV diastolic dysfunction in 71 patients (22%), LV hypertrophy in 73 patients (23%), wall motion abnormalities in 4 patients (1%), pulmonary hypertension in 47 patients (15%), left atrial enlargement in 45 patients (14%), and LV enlargement in 6 patients (1%). Adverse cardiopulmonary events occurred in only 4 patients, all of whom had a history of coronary revascularization, and 3 of whom had a prior myocardial infarction. No finding on the routine preoperative echocardiograms was associated with adverse cardiopulmonary events. A routine resting preoperative echocardiography added little to the cardiopulmonary risk stratification of patients who underwent bariatric surgery. High-risk patients were identifiable based on their medical history, particularly those with a known history of coronary artery disease and coronary revascularization.

Haemoglobin and Hematinic Status Before and After Bariatric Surgery over 4 years of Follow-Up

PurposeBariatric surgery is associated with deficiencies of vitamins and minerals, and patients are routinely advised supplements postoperatively. We studied prevalence of vitamin B12, folate and iron deficiencies and anaemia before and after bariatric surgery over 4 years of follow-up.Materials and MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort analysis of 353 people with obesity, including 257 (72.8%) women, who underwent gastric bypass (252, 71.4%) or sleeve gastrectomy (101, 28.6%) at our National Health Service bariatric centre in Northwest England.ResultsAt baseline, mean (standard error) age was 46.0 (0.6) years, body mass index 53.1 (0.4) kg/m2, serum vitamin B12 400.2 (16.4) pg/L, folate 7.7 (0.2) μg/L, iron 12.0 (0.3) μmol/L, ferritin 118.3 (8.4) μg/L and haemoglobin 137.9 (0.8) g/L. Frequency of low vitamin B12 levels reduced from 7.5% preoperatively to 2.3% at 48 months (P < 0.038). Mean folate levels increased from baseline to 48 months by 5.3 μg/L (P < 0.001) but frequency of low folate levels increased from 4.7% preoperatively to 10.3% (P < 0.048). Ferritin levels increased from baseline to 48 months by 51.3 μg/L (P < 0.009). Frequency of low ferritin levels was greater in women (39.1%) than in men (8.9%) at baseline (P < 0.001) and throughout the study period. Haemoglobin was low in 4.6% of all patients at baseline with no significant change over the study period.ConclusionThere were notable rates of haematinic insufficiencies in bariatric surgical candidates preoperatively. Our study lends further support to regular supplementation with vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron in people undergoing bariatric surgery.

The Evaluation of Screening Questionnaires for Obstructive Sleep Apnea to Identify High-Risk Obese Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is extremely common among bariatric surgical candidates. Identifying those at risk for moderate to severe OSA is challenging. Testing all bariatric surgical candidates with a level 1 polysomnographic study is expensive and resource intensive. The aim of this study is to evaluate three standardized screening questionnaires that are utilized to identify high-risk patients for OSA undergoing bariatric surgery. A retrospective review of data collected prospectively was undertaken on bariatric surgical patients who have not had a preexisting diagnosis of OSA. Each patient was subjected to the STOP BANG and Berlin Questionnaires as well as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), after which a level 1 polysomnogram was undertaken. Nonparametric receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between questionnaire scores and OSA as determined by a formal sleep lab study. There were 266 patients subjected to a standard overnight polysomnogram and screening questionnaires. Area under the curve (AUC) values for analyses including the entire sample were significantly (p < .05) greater than chance (i.e., AUC = .50) for all questionnaire scores except the ESS for both severe OSA (AUC range = .584-.631) and moderate/severe OSA (AUC range = .589-.660), although the magnitude of the AUC values was quite modest. Sensitivity and specificity values from the current study are substantially lower than those previously reported in the literature. Neither the STOP BANG nor Berlin questionnaires appear to be effective tools for detecting moderate- or high-risk patients for OSA undergoing bariatric surgery.

ABSI (A Body Shape Index) and ARI (Anthropometric Risk Indicator) in Bariatric Surgery. First Application on a Bariatric Cohort and Possible Clinical Use.

BMI (body mass index) is used to identify candidates for bariatric surgery, with a criterion of BMI ≥ 40. For lesser degrees of obesity, BMI 35-39.9, comorbidities are also considered. A Body Shape Index (ABSI) was derived to correct WC (waist circumference) for BMI and height. ABSI has been shown to be a linear predictor of long-term mortality across the range of BMI. Anthropometric risk indicator (ARI) combines the complementary contributions of BMI and ABSI and further improves mortality hazard prediction. We report for the first time ABSI and ARI for a bariatric surgical cohort at baseline and with 3-year follow-up. ABSI and BMI were calculated for 101 subjects from our bariatric surgery center database at baseline and after 3years of follow-up. Raw values for BMI and ABSI were converted to Z scores and ARI values based on sex- and age-specific normals and risk associations from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III sample of the US general population. Baseline scores for the anthropometric variables BMI and ABSI and the corresponding ARI were all higher than for the NHANES population sample. At 3-year post surgery, all three measures decreased significantly. While baseline BMI did not predict the change in mortality risk by ARI, baseline ABSI did (r = - 0.73), as did baseline ARI (r = - 0.94). Sleeve gastrectomy lowers ABSI and the associated mortality risk estimated from population studies after 3years of follow-up. Considering our results, bariatric surgical candidates with BMI in the range of 35 to 39.9 with an increased ABSI-related mortality risk may have considerable survival benefit from bariatric surgery, even in the absence of qualifying comorbidities. 2814.

Bariatric surgery--an update for the endocrinologist.

Obesity is a major public health problem, is associated with increased rates of mortality risk and of developing several comorbidities, and lessens life expectancy. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for morbidly obese patients, reducing risk of developing new comorbidities, health care utilization and mortality. The establishment of centers of excellence with interdisciplinary staff in bariatric surgery has been reducing operative mortality in the course of time, improving surgical safety and quality. The endocrinologist is part of the interdisciplinary team. The aim of this review is to provide endocrinologists, physicians and health care providers crucial elements of good clinical practice in the management of morbidly obese bariatric surgical candidates. This information includes formal indications and contraindications for bariatric operations, description of usual bariatric and metabolic operations as well as endoscopic treatments, preoperative assessments including psychological, metabolic and cardiorespiratory evaluation and postoperative dietary staged meal progression and nutritional supplementation follow-up with micronutrient deficiencies monitoring, surgical complications, suspension of medications in type 2 diabetic patients, dumping syndrome and hypoglycemia.

Problematic eating behaviors among bariatric surgical candidates: A psychometric investigation and factor analytic approach

Psychological factors (e.g., anxiety, depression) are routinely assessed in bariatric pre-surgical programs, as high levels of psychopathology are consistently related to poor program outcomes (e.g., failure to lose significant weight pre-surgery, weight regain post-surgery). Behavioral factors related to poor program outcomes and ways in which behavioral and psychological factors interact, have received little attention in bariatric research and practice. Potentially problematic behavioral factors are queried by Section H of the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory (WALI-H), in which respondents indicate the relevance of certain eating behaviors to obesity. A factor analytic investigation of the WALI-H serves to improve the way in which this assessment tool is interpreted and used among bariatric surgical candidates, and subsequent moderation analyses serve to demonstrate potential compounding influences of psychopathology on eating behavior factors. Bariatric surgical candidates (n =362) completed several measures of psychopathology and the WALI-H. Item responses from the WALI-H were subjected to principal axis factoring with oblique rotation. Results revealed a three-factor model including: (1) eating in response to negative affect, (2) overeating/desirability of food, and (3) eating in response to positive affect/social cues. All three behavioral factors of the WALI-H were significantly associated with measures of depression and anxiety. Moderation analyses revealed that depression did not moderate the relationship between anxiety and any eating behavior factor. Although single forms of psychopathology are related to eating behaviors, the combination of psychopathology does not appear to influence these problematic behaviors. Recommendations for pre-surgical assessment and treatment of bariatric surgical candidates are discussed.

Operative Management of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts during Bariatric Operations

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a condition associated with morbid obesity. Although bariatric surgery offers an effective treatment, some bariatric surgical candidates will present with indwelling ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts. The maintenance of shunt sterility is paramount. Objective: To review our experience with a regimen of VP shunt externalization, in patients undergoing primary bariatric procedures. Setting: Academic university hospital Methods: Records of all patients who underwent bariatric procedures between 4/1/2004 and 11/1/2007 were reviewed. Our protocol was to externalize all shunts at the beginning, for patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypasses (RYGB), and to leave all shunts externalized for one week; shunts were re-internalized at a subsequent procedure if no signs of infection were present. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) patients would have the shunt evaluated simultaneously and left in place if functional. Results: Of the 1,759 patients who underwent bariatric procedures from 2004 to 2007, six had indwelling VP shunt. Four patients underwent laparoscopic RYGB, 1an open RYGB, and one patient underwent LAGB with the same VP shunt management protocol. All patients had their shunts re-internalized without sequelae, with the exception of one patient who was no longer shunt dependent. One patient did have migration outside of the abdominal wall by the shunt; to prevent migration, the shunt was fixed to a section of prolene mesh. No patients developed evidence of contamination. Conclusions: The technique of VP shunt externalization may be a safe and effective technique of managing VP shunt during bariatric surgical procedures.

Effects of surgical weight loss for treating obstructive sleep apnea.

Weight loss has been reported to reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), particularly in the obese population. However, prospective studies with polysomnography (PSG) for the precise evaluation of OSA are lacking especially in Asian countries. We evaluated the effects of surgical weight loss for treating OSA using PSG data obtained before and after surgery. We performed a prospective study analyzing the clinical and PSG data obtained from our cohort of bariatric surgical candidates with moderate to severe OSA, as confirmed by preoperative PSG. The patients underwent follow-up PSG at least 12 months after bariatric surgery (laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass). Of the 47 patients (70.1%) with moderate to severe OSA among 67 patients who underwent preoperative PSG, 10 patients underwent postoperative PSG. The mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of these 10 patients significantly reduced from 51.0±34.2 to 9.3±12.9 events/h, while their mean body mass index (BMI) loss was from 39.9±8.3 to 26.9±4.4 kg/m2. Although the severity of OSA improved considerably, OSA resolution was achieved in only five patients (50%). When compared to the patients who achieved OSA resolution, the patients with residual OSA showed a tendency to have lower minimum arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) levels and higher supine AHI values in preoperative PSG. Surgical weight loss resulted in the significant improvement of OSA associated with obesity. However, OSA remained in a considerable proportion of patients even after substantial weight loss. We recommend that postoperative PSG be considered for the evaluation of residual OSA, especially in patients with low minimum SaO2 levels and high supine AHI in preoperative PSG.

Associations between physical activity and mental health among bariatric surgical candidates

ObjectiveTo examine associations between physical activity (PA) and mental health among adults undergoing bariatric surgery. MethodsCross sectional analysis was conducted on pre-operative data of 850 adults with ≥class 2 obesity. PA was measured with a step activity monitor; mean daily steps, active minutes, and high-cadence minutes (proxy for moderate–vigorous intensity PA) were determined. Mental health functioning, depressive symptoms and treatment for depression or anxiety were measured with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form, Beck Depression Inventory, and a study-specific questionnaire, respectively. Logistic regression analyses tested associations between PA and mental health indicators, controlling for potential confounders. Receiver operative characteristic analysis determined PA thresholds that best differentiated odds of each mental health indicator. ResultsEach PA parameter was significantly (p<.05) associated with a decreased odds of depressive symptoms and/or treatment for depression or anxiety, but not with impaired mental health functioning. After controlling for sociodemographics and physical health, only associations with treatment for depression and anxiety remained statistically significant. PA thresholds that best differentiated those who had vs. had not recently received treatment for depression or anxiety were <191activeminutes/day, <4750steps/day, and <8 high-cadence minutes/day. Utilizing high-cadence minutes, compared to active minutes or steps, yielded the highest classification accuracy. ConclusionAdults undergoing bariatric surgery who meet relatively low thresholds of PA (e.g., ≥8 high-cadenceminutes/day, representative of approximately 1h/week of moderate–vigorous intensity PA) are less likely to have recently received treatment for depression or anxiety compared to less active counterparts.

Distribution of 10-Year and Lifetime Predicted Risk for Cardiovascular Disease Prior to Surgery in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2 Study

Primary prevention guidelines recommend calculation of lifetime cardiovascular disease (CVD) predicted risk in patients who may not meet criteria for high short-term (10-year) Adult Treatment Panel III risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Extreme obesity and bariatric surgery are more common in women who often have low short-term predicted CHD risk. The distribution and correlates of lifetime CVD predicted risk, however, have not yet been evaluated in bariatric surgical candidates. Using established 10-year (Adult Treatment Panel III) CHD and lifetime CVD risk prediction algorithms and presurgery risk factors, participants from the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2 study without prevalent CVD (n = 2,070) were stratified into 3 groups: low 10-year (<10%)/low lifetime (<39%) predicted risk, low 10-year (<10%)/high lifetime (≥39%) predicted risk, and high 10-year (≥10%) predicted risk or diagnosed diabetes. Participants were predominantly white (86%) and women (80%) with a median age of 45 years and median body mass index of 45.6 kg/m(2). High 10-year CHD predicted risk was common (36.5%) and associated with diabetes, male gender, and older age, but not with higher body mass index or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Most participants (76%) with low 10-year predicted risk had high lifetime CVD predicted risk, which was associated with dyslipidemia and hypertension but not with body mass index, waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. In conclusion, bariatric surgical candidates without diabetes or existing CVD are likely to have low short-term, but high lifetime CVD predicted risk. Current data support the need for long-term monitoring and treatment of increased CVD risk factors in bariatric surgical patients to maximize lifetime CVD risk decrease (clinical trial registration, Long-term Effects of Bariatric Surgery, indentifier NCT00465829, available at: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=NCT00465829).

Determining Activity Monitor Wear Time: An Influential Decision Rule

Accurately measuring physical activity (PA) with activity monitors requires sufficient monitor wear time which can be difficult to assess. Monitor sensitivity to movement and population characteristics (eg, children vs. adults) may dictate the duration of monitor inactivity indicative of nonwear. A standardized method for determining appropriate decision rules to identify wear time is needed. Several decision rules based on minimum durations of monitor inactivity (ie, 60, 90, 120, 150 minutes) to identify nonwear were applied to Stepwatch Activity Monitor data from 1064 adult bariatric surgical candidates. The frequency, pattern, and duration of resulting nonwear and wear periods were examined. Generalized Estimating Equations tested the effect of these decision rules on PA measures. A 60-minute duration resulted in unreasonably large percentages of subjects with unlikely wear patterns [eg, ≥3 nonwear periods in a day (29.9%); ≥2 wear periods of less than an hour in a day (28.7%)]; 120 minutes appeared most reasonable. Wear time decision rules impacted PA measures. The methods described in this paper can be used to determine appropriate instrument and population specific wear time decision rules. Recognizing monitor wear time is estimated, PA measures least affected by wear time are preferable.

Cognitive impairment in common, noncentral nervous system medical conditions of adults and the elderly

Common, noncentral nervous system medical conditions linked with cognitive impairment in adults and the elderly include: acute respiratory distress syndrome; cancer; chronic kidney disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; coronary heart disease; hypertension; obesity (bariatric surgical candidates); obstructive sleep apnea; and type 2 diabetes. Cross-condition comparison of the nature and frequency of cognitive impairment is difficult as these conditions often coexist, and there exists no consensus as to the definition of cognitive impairment, nor the optimal number and type of neuropsychological tests required for evaluation. There is as yet no clear evidence for condition-specific profiles of cognitive impairment. Rather, a generalized profile consisting of subclinical levels of impairment in attention, processing speed, executive, and memory functions from bilateral frontal–subcortical ischemia fits across all conditions. This profile: occurs only in subgroups of patients; is inconsistently related to measures of illness severity; is unrelated to patient self-report or level of functional independence; is exacerbated by very high levels of emotional distress; and is reversible in some cases but can also progress to frank neurological disease (dementia) in others, especially the elderly, when multiple conditions coexist, and/or when medical condition severity progresses.

IH-06: Increased atherosclerosis progression and cardiovascular-stroke risk in bariatric surgical candidates

IH-06: Increased atherosclerosis progression and cardiovascular-stroke risk in bariatric surgical candidates

Congruence between clinical and research-based psychiatric assessment in bariatric surgical candidates

Background Mental health professionals have become increasingly involved in working with bariatric surgical candidates, particularly in performing preoperative psychological evaluations to clear candidates for surgery. The objective of the present study was to examine the concordance of the psychiatric diagnoses obtained during routine clinical evaluation before bariatric surgery and the diagnoses obtained separately at a research facility using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)-IV axis I disorders. Methods The study included 68 consecutively enrolled bariatric surgical candidates who had participated in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-3 study. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM disorders data obtained from the research assessments were compared with the diagnostic data from the routine preoperative psychiatric evaluations. The congruence of the current and lifetime diagnoses was assessed using Cohen's coefficient kappa. Results Considerable variability was found among the major diagnostic categories, with generally poor agreement found for the current diagnoses. The kappa coefficients tended to be larger for the lifetime diagnoses. The agreement was moderate for any lifetime mood disorder, with a kappa value of 0.45. Regarding any lifetime anxiety, substance use, and eating disorder, the clinical diagnoses rarely concurred with the results from the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM disorders, with a kappa statistic of 0.30, 0.36, and 0.32, respectively. Conclusion The congruence between the diagnoses assigned during the routine clinical psychiatric evaluations and research assessment using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM disorders was surprisingly low. These conclusions should be considered tentative, given the interval and the possibility of treatment having occurred between the 2 evaluations. Overall, these data raise interesting questions concerning the use of unstructured psychiatric evaluations before bariatric surgery.

Depression is associated with increased severity of co-morbidities in bariatric surgical candidates

Background Depression is prevalent among bariatric surgical patients, and previous studies have suggested a link between depression and quality of life. Our objective was to examine the relationship between depression and other co-morbidities of obesity at a university hospital in the United States. Methods Data were collected from 1368 consecutive patients evaluated for bariatric surgery. The demographic and co-morbidity profiles of these patients were compared between the depressed and nondepressed individuals. Depression was defined as an Assessment of Obesity-Related Co-morbidities score of ≥3, signifying that the patient required medical treatment for (score of 3) or had complications of (score of 4–5) depression. Results The prevalence of depression among these patients was 36%. The mean age of the patients with depression was older (44.3 ± 9.4 versus 42.2 ± 9.6, P <.05), but the mean body mass index was similar. Depression was more prevalent among the female patients (37.4% versus 29.6%, P <.05). Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, polycystic ovarian syndrome, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and obesity hypoventilation syndrome occurred with similar frequency and severity in persons with and without depression. The analysis revealed a significantly greater prevalence and severity of dyslipidemia ( P <.05), gastroesophageal reflux disease ( P <.05), back pain ( P <.0001), joint pain ( P <.05), sleep apnea ( P <.01), stress incontinence ( P <.01), and hernia ( P <.05) among patients with depression. Overall, patients with depression had more co-morbidities per patient (5.46 versus 4.55) and a greater likelihood of severe or complicated co-morbidities (2.67 versus 1.89 per patient). Conclusion This report has characterized a link between depression and other co-morbidities in bariatric surgical patients. This association was independent of the body mass index. Although a causal relationship could not yet be identified, our findings indicate that depression, in this patient population, is associated with a greater prevalence and increased severity of medical co-morbidities that express distinct physical symptoms.

Surgical Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Obesity

Bariatric surgery is ubiquitous today. In the obese patient with comorbid gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it is increasingly being used as an alternative to fundoplication because it not only has an effect on GERD but also on other comorbid illnesses. Traditional GERD surgery is designed to augment the mechanical barriers against reflux, decrease acid production in the stomach, improve gastric emptying, or divert bile from the stomach. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass addresses these issues in addition to resulting in profound weight loss in patients. Banding may have a positive influence in patients' GERD, though to a lesser extent. The duodenal switch provides excellent control for patients with alkaline reflux. A revision of the 1991 National Institutes of Health guidelines for determining bariatric surgical candidates is overdue, and it may be feasible to consider expanding the body mass index and comorbidity requirements to reflect the benefits offered by these techniques for GERD patients.

Limitations of the Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic (MBMD) with Bariatric Surgical Candidates

In this paper, we critique the Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic's (MBMD) psychometric characteristics for use with bariatric surgery patients. The reliability data presented by the test authors in their manual were examined. The results found 16 of 32 scales of have internal consistency reliability coefficients that do not meet minimal standards for use with bariatric populations. Of the remaining 16 scales, 13 do not have any compelling evidence that they are reliable. We suggest that if a test is not psychometrically reliable then its validity is called into question. Based on these data, 16 of the MBMD's 32 scales have inadequate reliability and 13 are lacking evidence of reliability. We urge clinicians to carefully consider these findings and the implications for their work with bariatric surgery patients.