Use of Opioid Analgesics Before and After Gastric Bypass Surgery in Sweden: a Population-Based Study

Impact of socioeconomic status on new chronic opioid use after gastric bypass surgery

BACKGROUND

Socioeconomic status may influence weight loss, postoperative complications, and health-related quality of life after bariatric surgery. Chronic use of opioid analgesics is a known risk after bariatric surgery, but whether socioeconomic factors are associated with new chronic use of opioid analgesics has not been investigated in depth.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to identify socioeconomic factors associated with the development of new chronic use of opioid analgesics after gastric bypass surgery.

SETTING

All hospitals performing bariatric surgery in Sweden.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study with prospectively collected data including all primary gastric bypass procedures in Sweden between 2007 and 2015. Data were collected from the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry, the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register, and Statistics Sweden. The primary outcome was new chronic opioid use.

RESULTS

Of the 44,671 participants, 1438 patients became new chronic opioid users. Longer education (secondary education; odds ratio [OR] = .71; 95% CI, .62-.81) or higher education (OR = .45; 95% CI, .38-.53), higher disposable income (20th-50th percentile: OR = .75; 95% CI, .66-.85; 50th-80th percentile: OR = .50; 95% CI, .43-.58; and the highest 80th percentile: OR = .40; 95% CI, .32-.51) were significantly associated with lower risk for new chronic opioid use. Being a second-generation immigrant (OR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.24-1.90), being on a disability pension or early retirement (OR = 3.04; 95% CI, 2.67-3.45), receiving social benefits (OR = 1.88; 95% CI, 1.59-2.22), being unemployed for <100 days (OR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.08-1.45), being unemployed for >100 days (OR = 1.41; 95% CI, 1.16-1.71), and being divorced or a widow or widower (OR = 1.35; 95% CI, 1.17-1.55) were significantly associated with a higher risk for chronic opioid use.

CONCLUSION

Given that long-term opioid use has detrimental effects after bariatric surgery, it is important that information and follow-up are optimized for patients with shorter education, lower income, and disability pension or early retirement because they are at an increased risk of new chronic opioid analgesics use.

Prescription and consumption of opioids after bariatric surgery: a multicenter prospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

In the current opioid crisis, bariatric surgical patients are at increased risk of harms related to postoperative opioid overprescribing. This study aimed to assess the extent to which opioids prescribed at discharge after bariatric surgery are consumed by patients.

METHODS

This multicenter prospective cohort study included adult patients (≥ 18yo) undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Preoperative assessments included demographics and patient-reported measures. Information regarding surgical and perioperative care interventions (including discharge prescriptions) was obtained from medical records. Self-reported opioid consumption was assessed weekly up to 30 days post-discharge. Number of opioid pills prescribed and consumed was compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression was used to identify predictors of post-discharge opioid consumption.

RESULTS

We analyzed 351 patients (mean age 44 ± 11 years, BMI 45 ± 8.0 kg/m2, 77% female, 71% sleeve gastrectomy, length of stay 1.6 ± 0.6 days). The quantity of opioids prescribed at discharge (median 15 pills [IQR 15-16], 112.5 morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) [IQR 80-112.5]) was significantly higher than patient-reported consumption (median 1 pill [IQR 0-5], 7.5 MMEs [IQR 0-37.5]) (p < 0.001). Overall, 37% of patients did not take any opioids post-discharge and 78.5% of the opioid pills prescribed were unused. Increased post-discharge opioid consumption was associated with male sex (IRR 1.54 [95%CI 1.14 to 2.07]), higher BMI (1.03 [95%CI 1.01 to 1.05]), preoperative opioid use (1.48 [95%CI 1.04 to 2.10]), current smoking (2.32 [95%CI 1.44 to 3.72]), higher PROMIS-29 depression score (1.03 [95% CI 1.01 to 1.04]), anastomotic procedures (1.33 [95%CI 1.01 to 1.75]), and number of pills prescribed (1.04 [95%CI 1.01 to 1.06]).

CONCLUSION

This study supports that most opioid pills prescribed to bariatric surgery patients at discharge are not consumed. Patient and procedure-related factors may predict opioid consumption. Individualized post-discharge analgesia strategies with minimal or no opioids may be feasible and should be further investigated in future research.

Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Closure of Mesenteric Defects in Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Short-term and midterm data suggest that mesenteric defects closure during laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) surgery reduces the risk of internal herniation with small bowel obstruction (SBO) but may increase risk of kinking of the jejunojejunostomy in the early postoperative period. However, to our knowledge, there are no clinical trials reporting long-term results from this intervention in terms of risk for SBO or opioid use.

Objective

To evaluate long-term safety and efficacy outcomes of closure of mesenteric defects during LRYGB.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This randomized clinical trial with a 2-arm, parallel, open-label design included patients with severe obesity scheduled for LRYGB bariatric surgery at 12 centers in Sweden from May 1, 2010, through November 14, 2011, with 10 years of follow-up after the intervention.

Interventions

During the operation, patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to closure of mesenteric defects beneath the jejunojejunostomy and at the Petersen space using nonabsorbable running sutures during LRYGB or to nonclosure.

Main Outcome and Measures

The primary outcome was reoperation for SBO. New incident, chronic opioid use was a secondary end point as a measure of harm.

Results

A total of 2507 patients (mean [SD] age, 41.7 [10.7] years; 1863 female [74.3%]) were randomly assigned to closure of mesenteric defects (n = 1259) or nonclosure (n = 1248). After censoring for death and emigration, 1193 patients in the closure group (94.8%) and 1198 in the nonclosure group (96.0%) were followed up until the study closed. Over a median follow-up of 10 years (IQR, 10.0-10.0 years), a reoperation for SBO from day 31 to 10 years after surgery was performed in 185 patients with nonclosure (10-year cumulative incidence, 14.9%; 95% CI, 13.0%-16.9%) and in 98 patients with closure (10-year cumulative incidence, 7.8%; 95% CI, 6.4%-9.4%) (subhazard ratio [SHR], 0.42; 95% CI, 0.32-0.55). New incident chronic opioid use was seen among 175 of 863 opioid-naive patients with nonclosure (10-year cumulative incidence, 20.4%; 95% CI, 17.7%-23.0%) and 166 of 895 opioid-naive patients with closure (10-year cumulative incidence, 18.7%; 95% CI, 16.2%-21.3%) (SHR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.73-1.11).

Conclusions and Relevance

This randomized clinical trial found long-term reduced risk of SBO after mesenteric defects closure in LRYGB. The findings suggest that routine use of this procedure during LRYGB should be considered.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01137201.

Opioid Analgesics after Bariatric Surgery: A Scoping Review to Evaluate Physiological Risk Factors for Opioid-Related Harm

The persisting use of opioids following bariatric surgery has emerged as a prevalent complication, heightening the probability of opioid-related harm (ORM), such as opioid-related fatalities and prescription opioid use disorder (OUD). A comprehensive review of PubMed literature from 1990 to 2023 was conducted to pinpoint physiological influences on postoperative ORM. As a result, we found that patients undertaking bariatric operations often exhibit an inherently higher risk for substance use disorders, likely attributable to genetic predisposition and related neurobiological changes that engender obesity and addiction-like tendencies. Furthermore, chronic pain is a common post-bariatric surgery complaint, and the surgical type impacts opioid needs, with increased long-term opioid use after surgeries. Additionally, the subjective nature of pain perception in patients with obesity can distort pain reporting and the corresponding opioid prescription both before and after surgery. Furthermore, the postoperative alterations to the gastrointestinal structure can affect the microbiome and opioid absorption rates, resulting in fluctuating systemic exposure to orally ingested opioids. The prospect of ORM development post-bariatric surgery appears amplified due to a preexisting susceptibility to addictive habits, surgically induced pain, modified gut-brain interaction and pain management and the changed pharmacokinetics post-surgery. Further research is warranted to clarify these potential risk variables for ORM, specifically OUD, in the bariatric population.

Opioid Use After Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy or Intensive Lifestyle Intervention

OBJECTIVE

To compare opioid use in patients with obesity treated with bariatric surgery versus adults with obesity who underwent intensive lifestyle modification.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Previous studies of opioid use after bariatric surgery have been limited by small sample sizes, short follow-up, and lack of control groups.

METHODS

Nationwide matched cohort study including individuals from the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry and the Itrim health database with individuals undergoing structured intensive lifestyle modification, between August 1, 2007 and September 30, 2015. Participants were matched on Body Mass Index, age, sex, education, previous opioid use, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and psychiatric status (n = 30,359:21,356). Dispensed opioids were retrieved from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register from 2 years before to up to 8 years after intervention.

RESULTS

During the 2-year period before treatment, prevalence of individuals receiving ≥1 opioid prescription was identical in the surgery and lifestyle group. At 3 years, the prevalence of opioid prescriptions was 14.7% versus 8.9% in the surgery and lifestyle groups (mean difference 5.9%, 95% confidence interval 5.3-6.4) and at 8 years 16.9% versus 9.0% (7.9%, 6.8-9.0). The difference in mean daily dose also increased over time and was 3.55 mg in the surgery group versus 1.17 mg in the lifestyle group at 8 years (mean difference [adjusted for baseline dose] 2.30 mg, 95% confidence interval 1.61-2.98).

CONCLUSIONS

Bariatric surgery was associated with a higher proportion of opioid users and larger total opioid dose, compared to actively treated obese individuals. These trends were especially evident in patients who received additional surgery during follow-up.

Opioid prescribing practices following bariatric surgery: a systematic review and pooled proportion meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

A paucity of literature exists regarding current opioid prescribing and use following bariatric surgery. We aimed to characterize opioid prescribing practices and use following bariatric surgery to inform future studies and optimized prescribing practices.

METHODS AND PROCEDURE

We performed a systematic review of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Library (via WILEY) on August 20, 2021. Two reviewers reviewed and extracted data independently. Studies evaluating adult patients undergoing bariatric surgery that reported opioid prescriptions at discharge were included. Abstracts, non-English studies, and those with n < 5 were excluded. Primary outcomes assessed the amount of morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) prescribed at discharge. Secondary outcomes evaluated opioids used following discharge, proportion of patients with unused opioid, and if unused opioids were properly discarded.

RESULTS

We evaluated 2113 studies, with 18 undergoing full-text review, and 5 meeting inclusion criteria. Overall, 847 patients were included, with 450 (53%) undergoing sleeve gastrectomy and 393 (46%) receiving Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Most patients were female (n = 484/589, 82.2%), and the average age and BMI were 44.6 (± 11.8) years and 48.1 kg/m² (± 8.4 kg/m²), respectively. On average, 348.4 MMEs were prescribed to patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Patients used only 84.7 MMEs, with 87.0% (95% CI 66.0-99.0%) having unused opioid, and 41/120 (34.2%) retaining these excess opioids.

CONCLUSION

Nearly 90% of all bariatric patients evaluated in our systematic review are prescribed excessive opioids at discharge. Further work characterizing current opioid prescribing practices and use may help guide development of standardized post-bariatric surgery prescription guidelines.

New persistent opioid use after bariatric surgery: a systematic review and pooled proportion meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Increasing evidence suggests surgical patients are at risk for developing new, persistent opioid use (NPOU) following surgery. This risk may be heightened for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Few studies have evaluated this important long-term outcome and little is known about the rate of NPOU, or factors associated with NPOU for bariatric surgery patients.

METHODS AND PROCEDURE

We conducted a systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases in August 2021. Studies were reviewed and data extracted independently by two reviewers following MOOSE guidelines. Studies evaluating bariatric surgery patients reporting NPOU, defined as new opioid use > 90 days after surgery, were included. Abstracts, non-English, animal, n < 5, and pediatric studies were excluded. Primary outcome was NPOU prevalence, and secondary outcomes were patient and surgical factors associated with NPOU. Factors associated with NPOU are reported from findings of individual studies; meta-analysis could not be completed due to heterogeneity of reporting.

RESULTS

We retrieved a total of 2113 studies with 8 meeting inclusion criteria. In studies reporting NPOU rates (n = 4 studies), pooled prevalence was 6.0% (95% CI 4.0-7.0%). Patient characteristics reported by studies to be associated with NPOU included prior substance use (tobacco, alcohol, other prescription analgesics), preoperative mental health disorder (anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders), and public health insurance. Surgical factors associated with NPOU included severe post-operative complications and in-hospital opioid use (peri- or post operatively).

CONCLUSIONS

NPOU is an uncommon but important complication following bariatric surgery, with patient factors including prior substance abuse, mental health disorders, and use of public health insurance placing patients at increased risk, and surgical factors being complications and peri-operative opioid use. Studies evaluating techniques to reduce NPOU in these high-risk populations are needed.

Care of the Patient After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Weight loss surgery, also known as metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), is an effective weight loss treatment and is associated with reduced mortality and improvements in obesity-related health conditions and quality of life. Postsurgical anatomical and physiologic changes include decreased absorption of micronutrients and alterations in gut-brain hormonal regulation that affect many aspects of health. Patients require ongoing monitoring of their physical and mental health for lasting success. Internists, particularly primary care clinicians, are in an ideal position to monitor for nonserious complications in the short and long term, adjust management of chronic diseases accordingly, and monitor for mental health changes. This article reviews key issues that internists should be aware of for supporting patients' health in the short and long term after MBS.

Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery in Patients on Chronic Opioids: Can Bariatric Surgery Assist with Decreasing Long-term Opioid Utilization?

PURPOSE

The aim of our study was to assess long-term opioid use following bariatric surgery in patients on preoperative narcotics.

METHODS

We evaluated patients utilizing preoperative opioids (OP) who underwent primary laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) from 2013 to 2020. Patients were propensity-matched to those without preoperative opioid use (NOP) by demographics and comorbidities. Our objectives were to compare opioid use at 1 and 3 years after surgery and evaluate perioperative outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 806 patients, matched 1:1 were evaluated, with 82.7% being females. Mean age was 46.5 years in the OP and 45.6 years in the NOP (p = 0.0018), preoperative BMI was 45.8 in the OP and 46.1 in the NOP (p = 0.695). All patients were followed up for 1 year. In the OP, 156 (38.7%) patients were taking opioids 1 year after surgery as opposed to 27 (6.7%) in the NOP (p < 0.0001). Three years after surgery, 74 (37.5%) patients in the OP and 27 (14.4%) in the NOP were taking outpatient opioids (p < 0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference between OP and NOP groups in terms of readmissions (9.4% vs. 5.7% p = 0.06), reinterventions (3.7 vs. 1.7% p = 0.13), reoperations (3.5% vs. 1.5% p = 0.11), or emergency room visits (8.9% vs. 7.2% p = 0.44). There were no mortalities.

CONCLUSION

Most patients requiring preoperative opioids can be weaned off after bariatric surgery. Enhanced recovery pathways are key to obtaining these results. Preoperative opioid use is not associated with increased complications compared to opioid-naïve patients.

Perioperative Pain Management in Bariatric Anesthesia

Weight loss (bariatric) surgery is the most commonly performed elective surgical procedure in patients with morbid obesity. In this review, we provide an evidence-based update on perioperative pain management in bariatric anesthesia. We mention some newer preoperative aspects—medical optimization, physical preparation, patient education, and psychosocial factors—that can all improve pain management. In the intraoperative period, with bariatric surgery being almost universally performed laparoscopically, we emphasize the use of non-opioid adjuvant infusions (ketamine, lidocaine, and dexmedetomidine) and suggest some novel regional anesthesia techniques to reduce pain, opioid requirements, and side effects. We discuss some postoperative strategies that additionally focus on patient safety and identify patients at risk of persistent pain and opioid use after bariatric surgery. This review suggests that the use of a structured, step-wise, severity-based, opioid-sparing multimodal analgesic protocol within an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) framework can improve postoperative pain management. Overall, by incorporating all these aspects throughout the perioperative journey ensures improved patient safety and outcomes from pain management in bariatric anesthesia.

Prescriptions for pain medication before and after bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Significant and sustained weight loss resulting from bariatric surgery have demonstrated clinical reduction in severe obesity-related pain. Subsequentially, post-surgical pain reduction may reduce pain medication use. However, clear evidence regarding use of prescribed pain medications before and after bariatric surgery is absent.

METHODS

Linking two state-wide databases, patients who underwent bariatric surgery between July 1, 2013 and December 31, 2015 were identified. Proportion tests were used to compare percent of patients with pain medication prescriptions 1 year before and 1 year after bariatric surgery. Logistic regression was used to identify baseline factors that were associated with pain medication use 1-year following surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 3535 bariatric surgical patients aged 18-64 years at surgery were identified. Of these patients, 1339 patients met the following study criteria: covered by private insurance; known pre-surgical BMI; and continuous enrollment with health plan(s) from 12-month pre-surgery to 13-month post-surgery. While comparison of average number of overall pain medication prescriptions before and after surgery did not change, from 3.46 to 3.32 prescriptions (p value = 0.26), opioid prescription use increased from 1.62 vs. 2.05 (p value < 0.01). Patients prescribed more types of pain medications before surgery were more likely to have prescribed pain medications after surgery. Patients prescribed benzodiazepines at baseline had higher odds being prescribed post-surgery corticosteroids (OR = 1.89, p value < 0.01), muscle relaxants (OR = 2.18, p value < 0.01), and opioids (OR = 3.06, p value =  < 0.01) compared to patients without pre-surgery--prescribed benzodiazepine.

CONCLUSION

While comparison of average number of overall pain medication prescriptions before and after bariatric surgery did not decrease, opioid prescription increased post-surgery. Further studies are needed to examine whether post-surgery opioids are prescribed in lieu of or in tandem with other pain medication prescriptions.

Opioid consumption in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y bariatric surgery compared with population controls with and without obesity

BACKGROUND

Patients with obesity are prescribed more opioids than the general population.

OBJECTIVES

To compare opioid consumption in patients with obesity who underwent Roux-en-Y bariatric surgery (RYGB) with population controls with and without obesity, not undergoing bariatric surgery, and to identify characteristics associated with opioid use.

SETTING

This study included all patients with a principal diagnosis of obesity, aged 18-72 years, with a RYGB surgical code in the Swedish Patient Register between 2007 and 2013.

METHODS

RYGB patients (n = 23,898) were age- and sex-matched with 1 control patient with obesity (n = 23,898) and 2 population controls without obesity (n = 46,064). Participants were classified as nonconsumers and consumers based on their opioid dispensations during the 12 months before baseline. Opioid consumption was assessed for 24 months.

RESULTS

Nonconsumers. Within 24 months, a significantly higher proportion of RYGB patients (16.6%) started using opioids compared with the controls with obesity (14.3%, P < .0001) and population controls (5.4%, P < .0001). RYGB patients and controls with obesity had higher median daily intake of opioid morphine equivalent (MEQ) (2.8 mg/d) than population controls (2.5 mg/d, P < .0001). Consumers. Within 24 months, the proportion of RYGB patients and controls with obesity that was using opioids were similar (53.1% and 53.4%), but higher compared to population controls (38.0%, P < .0001). The median daily opioid MEQ was higher among RYGB patients than in population controls (10.5 versus 7.8 mg/d, P < .0001). RYGB patients, overall, had higher incidence of bowel surgery and cholecystectomy compared with controls with obesity and population controls, leading to prolonged opioid use in this group. Opioid consumption in general was associated with chronic pain and psychiatric disorder, which were more common in patients with obesity than in the population controls.

CONCLUSION

RYGB surgery increased the risk of prolonged opioid use in patients with obesity who were nonconsumers before surgery but had no effect on overall opioid use among prior consumers. RYGB-associated complications requiring surgery influenced opioid use for both nonconsumers and consumers. Regular reassessments of pain mechanisms and specific treatment owing to type of pain could prevent unnecessary opioid use in this patient group.

Impact of a severe complication two years after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a cohort study from the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry

BACKGROUND

Although severe complications (SCs) after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) are rare, they can be devastating for the affected patient.

OBJECTIVE

To access the impact of SCs (Clavien-Dindo ≥3b) 2 years after LRYGB by using a nationwide Swedish cohort of 48,201 primary cases between 2007 and June 2016.

SETTING

University hospital, Sweden.

METHODS

Patients with SC were matched 1:1 on age, sex, diabetic status, body mass index (BMI), and year of operation to patients without an SC. Weight loss, patient-scored quality of life (QoL), antidepressant use, proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and opioids, and in-hospital care were gathered from 3 national registers.

RESULTS

A total of 1411 (2.9%) patients suffered an SC and 16 (.03%) died. In total, 1403 patients with SC (mean age, 42 yr; female, 75%; with diabetes, 15.7%; mean BMI, 41.9 kg/m²) could be matched. Both groups had a total body weight loss of 32% at 2 years. A lower physical QoL was observed in SCs throughout the study period. Antidepressant, PPI and opioid use was higher among patients with SC, even 2 years after surgery. At this time point, a doubling of oral morphine equivalents (7.3 to 17.0 mg/d) was found in patients with SC compared with prior to surgery. The SC group required more in-hospital care after the initial 30 days (3.8 versus .9 d in the remaining part of the first year).

CONCLUSION

An SC resulted in higher antidepressant, PPI and opioid use as well as higher need for in-hospital care during the first 2 postoperative years. Affected patients should therefore receive special attention during follow up.

Preoperative chronic opioid use and its impact on early complications in bariatric surgery: a Swedish nationwide cohort study of 56,183 patients

BACKGROUND

The association between severe obesity and chronic pain makes opioid use common among bariatric patients. Preoperative opioid use has been identified as a risk factor in other surgical procedures.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the impact of preoperative opioid use on complications after primary bariatric surgery.

SETTING

Sweden.

METHODS

All primary laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) patients from 2007-2017 were identified in the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Register. Prescriptions for opioids within 90 days prior to surgery were retrieved from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register and converted into oral morphine equivalents (OMEs). Patients with ≥2 prescription of opioids within 90 days prior to surgery were defined as chronic opioid users. Generalized linear regression was used to adjust for age, sex, body mass index, procedure type, year of operation, and co-morbidities.

RESULTS

Of the 56,183 patients who had undergone primary LRYGB (n = 49,615) or LSG (n = 6568), 17.5% (n = 9825) had at least 1 prescription of opioids prior to surgery, of which 4.3% (n = 2390) were defined as chronic opioid users. Chronic opioid use was associated with a higher risk of severe complications (Clavien Dindo grade ≥ 3b; odds ratio [OR], 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37-2.04), increased lengths of stay (relative risk, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.08-1.14), and higher rates of readmission (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.49-1.94) and reoperation (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.53-2.27; all P values < .001). Furthermore, higher OME exposure was associated with stepwise higher risks.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative opioid use was an independent risk factor for severe complications, as well as prolonged lengths of stay, readmission, and reoperation after primary bariatric surgery.

Addiction Transfer and Other Behavioral Changes Following Bariatric Surgery

Despite its important treatment implications for obesity and related comorbidities, bariatric surgery requires several behavioral changes that warrant comprehensive evaluation and support before and after surgery. This article outlines emerging scientific and anecdotal evidence for addiction transfer after bariatric surgery. Other common behavioral changes that impact adherence, weight loss, and psychiatric risk after surgery are also reviewed. Last, recommendations for presurgical psychological evaluation and postoperative support are provided.

Chronic abdominal pain and persistent opioid use after bariatric surgery

Background and aims

Bariatric surgery remains a mainstay for treatment of morbid obesity. However, long-term adverse outcomes include chronic abdominal pain and persistent opioid use. The aim of this review was to assess the existing data on prevalence, possible mechanisms, risk factors, and outcomes regarding chronic abdominal pain and persistent opioid use after bariatric surgery.

Methods

PubMed was screened for relevant literature focusing on chronic abdominal pain, persistent opioid use and pharmacokinetic alterations of opioids after bariatric surgery. Relevant papers were cross-referenced to identify publications possibly not located during the ordinary screening.

Results

Evidence regarding general chronic pain status after bariatric surgery is sparse. However, our literature review revealed that abdominal pain was the most prevalent complication to bariatric surgery, presented in 3–61% of subjects with health care contacts or readmissions 1–5 years after surgery. This could be explained by behavioral, anatomical, and/or functional disorders. Persistent opioid use and doses increased after bariatric surgery, and 4–14% initiated a persistent opioid use 1–7 years after the surgery. Persistent opioid use was associated with severe pain symptoms and was most prevalent among subjects with a lower socioeconomic status. Alteration of absorption and distribution after bariatric surgery may impact opioid effects and increase the risk of adverse events and development of addiction. Changes in absorption have been briefly investigated, but the identified alterations could not be separated from alterations caused solely by excessive weight loss, and medication formulation could influence the findings. Subjects with persistent opioid use after bariatric surgery achieved lower weight loss and less metabolic benefits from the surgery. Thus, remission from comorbidities and cost effectiveness following bariatric surgery may be limited in these subjects.

Conclusions

Pain, especially chronic abdominal, and persistent opioid use were found to be prevalent after bariatric surgery. Physiological, anatomical, and pharmacokinetic changes are likely to play a role. However, the risk factors for occurrence of chronic abdominal pain and persistent opioid use have only been scarcely examined as have the possible impact of pain and persistent opioid use on clinical outcomes, and health-care costs. This makes it difficult to design targeted preventive interventions, which can identify subjects at risk and prevent persistent opioid use after bariatric surgery. Future studies could imply pharmacokinetic-, pharmacodynamics-, and physiological-based modelling of pain treatment. More attention to social, physiologic, and psychological factors may be warranted in order to identify specific risk profiles of subjects considered for bariatric surgery in order to tailor and optimize current treatment recommendations for this population.

Remifentanil inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of gastric cancer cells by regulating miR-519d-3p/STAT3 expression

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that opioids can not only be used for tumor anesthesia and postoperative analgesia, but also have an inhibitory effect on the malignant biological behavior of tumor cells. As a highly efficient opioid receptor agonist, remifentanil has been reported to inhibit the proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis of tumor cells such as colon cancer, liver cancer, and lung adenocarcinoma cells. However, the effect of remifentanil on the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer (GC) cells and the underlying mechanism are still unclear.

AIM

To study the effect of remifentanil on proliferation and apoptosis of GC cells and the potential mechanism involved.

METHODS

Human GC SGC7901 and BGC823 cells were cultured, and the effects of different concentrations of remifentanil on cell proliferation were detected by MTT assay. GC cells overexpressing miR-519d-3p, those with low expression of miR-519d-3p, and those overexpressing STAT3 were constructed and treated with remifentanil. Cell proliferation activity was measured by MTT assay at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after remifentanil treatment. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry at 48 h. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of miR-519d-3p and STAT3 in cells, respectively. The dual luciferase reporter assay was used to test whether miR-519d-3p targets STAT3.

RESULTS

Remifentanil could effectively inhibit the proliferation of GC cells, induce their apoptosis, and promote the expression of miR-519d-3p. Overexpression of miR-519d-3p inhibited the proliferation of GC cells and induced their apoptosis, while inhibition of miR-519d-3p expression reversed the effect of remifentanil on the proliferation and apoptosis of GC cells. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that miR-519d-3p negatively regulated STAT3 activity in GC cells. Overexpression of STAT3 reversed the effect of remifentanil on the proliferation and apoptosis of GC cells.

CONCLUSION

Remifentanil can inhibit the proliferation of GC cells and induce their apoptosis, which may be related to the regulation of mir-519d-3p/STAT3 expression.