Evaluation of the Trends, Characteristics, and Outcomes in North American Youth Undergoing Elective Bariatric Surgery

Characteristics of adolescents referred for bariatric surgery in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

About a third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese in the United Arab Emirates, and referrals for metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) are now common. Despite excellent evidence that MBS should be considered in adolescents with severe obesity, it remains a management approach of last resort in many cases. Baseline, real-world data on adolescent patients living with obesity referred for surgery, their characteristics, and how these relate to current and future referral policy are important to ensure best practice. Here we examined the demographic, anthropometric, and clinical characteristics of adolescents referred for MBS over a three-year period to Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), Abu Dhabi, UAE. Ninety-two adolescents living with obesity were recruited: 54.3% were female, the average age was 16.3 ± 2.4 years, and 88.0% of patients had a first-degree relative with a history of obesity and 62% a family history of bariatric surgery. The average BMI was 47.7 ± 10.5, and the average percentage of the 95th percentile BMI was 169.5 ± 38.8%. Complications of obesity (hypertension, type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, dyslipidemia, and liver function abnormalities) were common. Our analysis highlights that there exists a mismatch between the profiles of patients referred for MBS, local guidelines, and international best practice in decision-making for referral to MBS services. While many adolescents in the UAE seem to enjoy family support and experience in the surgical management of obesity, local guidelines need updating to reflect changes in the definitions of obesity, thresholds for referral, and to remove unnecessary developmental stage barriers to increase the window for personalized surgical management.

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Children: Current Practices and Outcomes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review will examine the most current evidence for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (MBS) in the pediatric population, specifically in terms of weight loss outcomes and improvement in comorbid conditions and complications. Additionally, we compare surgical and non-surgical interventions, review current guidelines, and propose a stepwise evidence-based approach to the management of obesity in children.

RECENT FINDINGS

MBS is a safe option for appropriately selected pediatric patients which leads to significant and sustained weight loss. This weight loss is associated with improvement of related comorbid conditions. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has emerged as the procedure of choice with a better safety profile. Despite the evidence, very few adolescents undergo MBS. New pharmacologic agents specifically the GLP-1/GIP agents have shown early promise especially in patients under body mass index 40, but the long-term effects are unknown. MBS is an effective tool in the management of pediatric obesity, and its use has been recommended by professional societies. Early referral to a multidisciplinary obesity team can help identify appropriate patients.

The Role of Endoscopy in the Management of Adolescent Bariatric Patients: A Primer For Pediatric Gastroenterologists

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity in the United States has reached alarming levels, necessitating effective interventions such as bariatric surgery. This article reviews the current state of bariatric surgery in the adolescent population, highlighting the common complications encountered in post-bariatric patients. Furthermore, it outlines the pivotal role of endoscopy in both the prevention and management of these bariatric complications.

RECENT FINDINGS

Though only a minority of eligible adolescent patients undergo bariatric surgery the number of cases continues to increase. Sleeve gastrectomy has emerged as the preferred type of surgery, with the best balance of safety and efficacy. However, only a small number of pediatric surgeons have additional bariatric training and a number of technical aspects of the surgery itself impact the risk for post-surgical complications. Gastric sleeve stenosis, anastomotic leaks and gastroesophageal reflux are the most common of these complications. Ability to perform dilation of sleeve stenosis, closure of anastomotic leaks and evaluation of reflux are critical tools in the endoscopic toolbox necessary for the management of these complicated patients. Bariatric surgery remains the most effective treatment available for management of morbid obesity in adolescents but has significant associated complications. Pediatric gastroenterologists must be familiar in the endoscopic management of these complications and are crucial in creating a high functioning adolescent bariatric program.

Towards precision medicine in bariatric surgery prescription

Obesity is a complex, multifactorial and chronic disease. Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective treatment intervention for obesity and obesity-related diseases. However, weight loss after surgery can be highly heterogeneous and is not entirely predictable, particularly in the long-term after intervention. In this review, we present and discuss the available data on patient-related and procedure-related factors that were previously appointed as putative predictors of bariatric surgery outcomes. In addition, we present a critical appraisal of the available evidence on which factors could be taken into account when recommending and deciding which bariatric procedure to perform. Several patient-related features were identified as having a potential impact on weight loss after bariatric surgery, including age, gender, anthropometrics, obesity co-morbidities, eating behavior, genetic background, circulating biomarkers (microRNAs, metabolites and hormones), psychological and socioeconomic factors. However, none of these factors are sufficiently robust to be used as predictive factors. Overall, there is no doubt that before we long for precision medicine, there is the unmet need for a better understanding of the socio-biological drivers of weight gain, weight loss failure and weight-regain after bariatric interventions. Machine learning models targeting preoperative factors and effectiveness measurements of specific bariatric surgery interventions, would enable a more precise identification of the causal links between determinants of weight gain and weight loss. Artificial intelligence algorithms to be used in clinical practice to predict the response to bariatric surgery interventions could then be created, which would ultimately allow to move forward into precision medicine in bariatric surgery prescription.

Safety and Efficacy of One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass in Children and Adolescents: a 5-Year Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Childhood obesity is an important worldwide issue of serious medical and social concern. One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is an approved, effective, and long-lasting procedure for weight loss and the remission of obesity-associated medical problems in the adult patients, but its efficacy and safety in children and adolescents are still on debate. This study aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of OAGB compare to SG and RYGB during a 5-year follow-up.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study on children and adolescents with severe obesity who underwent primary OAGB, sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and Roux-e-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) at an academic hospital, between March 2016 and December 2020.

RESULTS

Two hundred twenty-eight patients with 24 to 60 months of follow-up including 107 SG, 37 RYGB, and 84 OAGB were included in the final analysis. The mean age, preoperative weight, and BMI were 15.71 ± 2.09 years (range, 9-18 years), 126.3 ± 22.0 kg (74.5-215 kg), and 45.1 ± 6.9 kg/ m2 (36.4-79.3 kg/m2), respectively. The mean of follow-up was 30.05 ± 19.98 months. The mean of ∆BMI was 30.2 ± 5.1, 30.0 ± 5.4, and 31.1 ± 6.8 at 12th, 36th, and 60th months postoperative. At the 60-month follow-up, there were statistically significant differences in ΔBMI between SG and OAGB and SG and RYGB.

CONCLUSION

OAGB is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of obesity in children and adolescents in 24 to 60 months follow-ups.

A Population-Based Cohort Study on Efficacy and Safety of Bariatric Surgery in Young Adults Versus Adults

PURPOSE

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity in adults and has shown promising results in young adults. Lack of insight regarding efficacy and safety outcomes might result in delayed bariatric surgery utilization in young adults. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of bariatric surgery in young adults compared to adults.

METHODS

This is a nationwide population-based cohort study utilizing data from the Dutch Audit Treatment of Obesity (DATO). Young adults (aged 18-25 years) and adults (aged 35-55 years) who underwent primary Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) were included. Primary outcome was percentage total weight loss (%TWL) until five years postoperatively.

RESULTS

A total of 2,822 (10.3%) young adults and 24,497 (89.7%) adults were included. The follow-up rates of the young adults were lower up to five years postoperatively (46.2% versus 56.7% three years postoperatively; p < 0.001). Young adults who underwent RYGB showed superior %TWL compared to adults until four years postoperatively (33.0 ± 9.4 versus 31.2 ± 8.7 three years after surgery; p < 0.001). Young adults who underwent SG showed superior %TWL until five years postoperatively (29.9 ± 10.9 versus 26.2 ± 9.7 three years after surgery; p < 0.001). Postoperative complications ≤ 30 days were more prevalent among adults, 5.3% versus 3.5% (p < 0.001). No differences were found in the long term complications. Young adults revealed more improvement of hypertension (93.6% versus 78.9%), dyslipidemia (84.7% versus 69.2%) and musculoskeletal pain (84.6% versus 72.3%).

CONCLUSION

Bariatric surgery appears to be at least as safe and effective in young adults as in adults. Based on these findings the reluctance towards bariatric surgery in the younger age group seems unfounded.

Long-Term Results of Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents with at Least 5 Years of Follow-up: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery in adolescents with obesity by including studies with a follow-up of at least 5 years.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were systematically searched. Studies that met the criteria were included in the analysis.

RESULT

We identified 29 cohort studies with a total population of 4970. Preoperative age ranged from 12 to 21 years; body mass index (BMI) ranged from 38.9 to 58.5 kg/m². Females were the predominant gender (60.3%). After at least 5-year of follow-up, the pooled BMI decline was 13.09 kg/m² (95%CI 11.75-14.43), with sleeve gastrectomy (SG) was 15.27 kg/m², Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) was 12.86 kg/m², and adjustable gastric banding (AGB) was 7.64 kg/m². The combined remission rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dyslipidemia, hypertension (HTN), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and asthma were 90.0%, 76.6%, 80.7%, 80.8%, and 92.5%, (95%CI 83.2-95.6, 62.0-88.9, 71.5-88.8, 36.4-100, and 48.5-100), respectively. Postoperative complications were underreported. Combined with the current study, we found a low level of postoperative complications. Iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies were the main nutritional deficiency complications identified so far.

CONCLUSION

For adolescents with severe obesity, bariatric surgery (especially RYGB and SG) is the independent and effective treatment option. After at least 5 years of follow-up, bariatric surgery in adolescents showed a desirable reduction in BMI and significant remission of T2DM, dyslipidemia, and HTN. Surgical and nutrition-related complications still need to be further explored by more long-term studies.

Long-Term Outcomes after Adolescent Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is a safe and effective treatment option for adolescents with severe obesity, but no long-term studies are available with more than10 years of follow-up data to document sustained improved outcomes.

METHODS

A total of 96 patients who completed MBS at 21 years of age or younger in a tertiary academic center 2002 to 2010 were contacted for a telehealth visit. Body weight, comorbidity status, social/physical function status, and long-term complications were evaluated 10 to 18 years after surgery.

RESULTS

Mean participant (83% female, 75% Hispanic) age at MBS was 18.8 (±1.6) years (median age 19 years, range 15-21 years), and median pre-MBS BMI was 44.7 kg/m 2 (SD 6.5). At follow-up (mean 14.2 [±2.2] years) post-MBS (90.6% Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [RYGB] or 8.3% laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding [LAGB]) mean total body weight decreased by 31.3% (interquartile range [IQR] 20.0% to 38.9%); 32.0% (IQR, 21.3% to 40.1%) among RYGB participants and 22.5% (IQR, 0.64% to 28.3%) among LAGB participants. Patients with pre-MBS hyperlipidemia (14.6%), asthma (10.4%), and diabetes/hyperglycemia (5.2%) reported 100% remission at follow-up (p < 0.05 for all). Pre-post decrease in hypertension (13.5% vs 1%, p = 0.001), sleep apnea (16.7% vs 1.0%, p < 0.001), gastroesophageal reflux disease (13.5% vs 3.1%, p = 0.016), anxiety (7.3% vs 2.1%, p = 0.169), and depression (27.1% vs 4.2%, p < 0.001) were also found.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant sustained reductions in weight and comorbidities, and low rates of long-term complications, a decade or more after completing MBS as an adolescent were found. These findings have important implications for adolescents who may be considering MBS for weight reduction and overall health improvements that extend into adulthood.

National Trends and Outcomes in Adolescents Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND

In the US, obesity continues to be a severe health issue now affecting adolescents. Bariatric surgery remains the most effective treatment for obesity, but use among adolescents remains low. The objective of this study was to identify current national trends in bariatric surgery among adolescents.

STUDY DESIGN

Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, adolescents aged 9 to 19 with a diagnosis of morbid obesity who underwent a laparoscopic gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) between 2015 and 2018 were identified. Demographics, comorbidities, and in-hospital complications were collected. National estimates were calculated. The trend of annual number of operations was determined by Kruskal-Wallis rank test.

RESULTS

Between 2015 and 2018, 1,203 adolescents were identified, resulting in a nationwide estimate of 4,807 bariatric cases. The number of bariatric operations increased annually from 1,360 in 2015 to 1,740 operations in 2018 (p = 0.0771). The majority of patients were female (76%), 17 to 19 years old (84.1%), and White (47.9%). Most patients underwent SG (82.0%). Black and Hispanic patients comprised 40.2% of the cohort. Significant comorbidities included diabetes, dyslipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The average length of stay decreased from 2.12 days to 1.64 days. There were no in-hospital mortalities, and complications were less than 1%.

CONCLUSIONS

With the increasing prevalence of obesity among adolescents in the US, bariatric surgery increased over time but was performed less in patients younger than 16 years of age and racial minorities. Bariatric surgery among adolescents remains safe, with extremely low complication rates and zero in-hospital mortality.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Versus Sleeve Gastrectomy in Young Adults: a Dutch Registry Study

BACKGROUND

The most commonly performed bariatric procedures worldwide are Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG), yet outcomes following these procedures in young adults are limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare weight loss outcomes between RYGB and SG in young adults.

METHODS

This is a nationwide retrospective cohort study of young adults, aged 18-25 years, who underwent RYGB or SG between 2015 and 2019, with data from the Dutch Audit Treatment of Obesity (DATO). The primary outcome was weight loss expressed as percentage total weight loss (%TWL) in a period of 3 years after surgery. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of complications (< 30 days) and progression of obesity-related comorbidities.

RESULTS

In total, 2313 patients were included, 1246 in the RYGB group and 1067 in the SG group. Percentage TWL was significantly higher in the RYGB group compared to the SG group at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery (respectively 2.4%, 2.9%, and 3.3% higher, p < 0.001). RYGB was associated with an on-average 2.75 higher %TWL compared to SG in females (p < 0.001), although this was not seen in males (β = 0.63, p = 0.514). No differences were found in the incidence of complications, nor the progression of obesity-related comorbidities except for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). There was more improvement or resolution of GERD in the RYGB group (95.2% vs. 56.3%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Similar numbers of RYGB and SG were performed in young adults, whereas RYGB was associated with greater weight loss in the short- and midterm, particularly in females.

Multiple nutritional deficiencies among adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery: who is at risk?

BACKGROUND

Nutritional deficiencies among adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery (BS) have not been evaluated a in relation to patient's sex.

OBJECTIVES

We compared the preoperative nutritional profile of adolescents characterized by sex and single versus multiple deficiencies.

SETTING

University hospital.

METHODS

Cross-sectional retrospective chart review of 415 eligible adolescents who underwent primary BS between 2011 and 2020. Data included preoperative demographic, anthropometric information as well as three sets of nutritional variables: anemia-related, calcium-related, and other nutritional variables.

RESULTS

The sample comprised 247 males (59.5%) with a mean age of 15.89 ± 1.03 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 47.80 ± 6.57 kg/m². Most common deficiencies were vitamin D (92.3%), albumin (51.8%), anemia (15.9%), zinc (11.1%), and vitamin B₁₂ (8%); 21.7% had hyperparathyroidism. Females exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of low hemoglobin, low hematocrit, and iron deficiency. Multiple deficiencies were present among 97.6%, 73.2%, 23.6%, 15%, and 12.6% of adolescents, who had vitamin D, albumin, hemoglobin, zinc, and vitamin B₁₂ deficiencies, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that adolescents with a BMI of ≥50 kg/m² were 1.24 times more likely to have multiple deficiencies (P = .004). Using multivariate log-binomial regression, BMI of ≥50 kg/m² was a significant predictor of multiple nutritional deficiencies (P = .005, adjusted risk ratio = 1.23, 95% CI 1.06-1.42). Age and sex were not independent predictors of multiple nutritional deficiencies.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this study is the first to appraise single and multiple nutritional deficiencies in adolescents undergoing BS by sex. Multiple deficiencies were common. Females are at higher risk of anemia-related deficiencies. A BMI of ≥50 kg/m² independently and significantly predicted multiple nutritional deficiencies. Correction before and monitoring after surgery are important.