Outcomes of adolescents compared with young adults after bariatric surgery: an analysis of 227,671 patients using the MBSAQIP data registry

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.

Predictors of Complications Following Bariatric Surgery for Adolescent Patients

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery for adolescent patients has been shown to be safe but potentially underutilized. A better understanding of operative risk in adolescents may temper apprehension to its adoption. This study intends to examine the association between preoperative risk factors and complications following bariatric surgery for adolescent patients.

METHODS

The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program databank (2015-2020) was queried for all adolescent patients (10 to 19 years). Only patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass were included. Multivariable regression examined the association between patient characteristics and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 7785 adolescent patients satisfied inclusion criteria. The median age was 18 years, 1737 (22%) were male, and the median body mass index was 46. Of all patients, 6675 (86%) and 1310 (14%) underwent sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, respectively. Preoperative chronic steroid use was significantly associated with higher rates of leak (odds ratio [OR] 7.327, P = .009), bleeding (OR 10.791, P = .003), and reoperation (OR 7.685, P < .001). While Pacific Islander race was also significantly associated with higher rates of reoperation (OR 11.773, P = .039), Asian race was significantly associated with higher rates of bleeding (OR 14.527, P = .042). A history of gastroesophageal reflux disease was associated with higher rates of postoperative reintervention (OR 2.306, P = .004).

DISCUSSION

Readily identifiable preoperative patient characteristics are significantly associated with higher rates of postoperative complications following adolescent bariatric surgery. Additional research is required to determine whether tailoring treatment based on these characteristics can improve outcomes.

Age-related Outcomes of Chest Masculinization Surgery: A Single-surgeon Retrospective Cohort Study

Many transmasculine individuals face chest dysphoria, an emotional distress associated with breast development. The definitive management for reduction of existing breast tissue and alleviation of chest dysphoria comes in the form of chest masculinization surgery. Over the years, a substantial increase in the number of youth seeking gender-affirming chest masculinization surgery was observed globally. The study was hypothesized to answer the question as to whether the age limit of chest masculinization surgery should be lowered to include adolescents.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted, based on the experience of a single surgeon over a period of 20 years.

Results

Two-hundred eight patients were included in this cohort. Patients were divided into two equal groups based on their age. No statistically significant differences between the groups were observed in terms of resected breast tissue (P = 0.62 and 0.30, for the right and left breast, accordingly), auxiliary liposuction (P = 0.30), liposuction volume (P = 0.20), procedure (P = 0.15), postoperative drains (P = 0.79), and surgery duration (P = 0.72). Statistically significant differences were found in the 18 years or younger group, with lower rates of complication (P < 0.001), lower rates of revision surgery (P = 0.025), and higher satisfaction rankings (P < 0.001). Apart from age, no other factors were found to potentially explain the different rates of complications between the age groups.

Conclusion

Patients aged 18 or younger opting for chest masculinization surgery experience fewer complications and revision procedures while having higher satisfaction rates with the surgical outcome.

Ethics of Bariatric Surgery in Adolescence and Its Implications for Clinical Practice

Obesity is increasingly prevalent among adolescents. Clinical and research data support the use of bariatric surgery (BS) as a treatment option for severely obese adolescents, with good results in terms of weight loss, improvement or resolution of comorbidities, and compliance to follow up. Nevertheless, concerns still remain, with significant disparities among countries and ethical concerns mainly raised by performing an irreversible and invasive procedure in adolescence, with potential life-long alterations. In this context, the purpose of this narrative review was to discuss the main current ethical challenges in performing BS in adolescence and to inform appropriate clinical management in the field. The core ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice were revised in terms of patient-centered healthcare through the lens of psychosocial implications. The review concludes with a discussion regarding the potential directives for future research for effective, patient-centered, and ethical management of obesity in the adolescent population.

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.

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.

Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents: To Do or Not to Do?

Pediatric obesity is a multifaceted disease that can impact physical and mental health. It is a complex condition that interweaves biological, developmental, environmental, behavioral, and genetic factors. In most cases lifestyle and behavioral modification as well as medical treatment led to poor short-term weight reduction and long-term failure. Thus, bariatric surgery should be considered in adolescents with moderate to severe obesity who have previously participated in lifestyle interventions with unsuccessful outcomes. In particular, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is considered the most commonly performed bariatric surgery worldwide. The procedure is safe and feasible. The efficacy of this weight loss surgical procedure has been demonstrated in pediatric age. Nevertheless, there are barriers at the patient, provider, and health system levels, to be removed. First and foremost, more efforts must be made to prevent decline in nutritional status that is frequent after bariatric surgery, and to avoid inadequate weight loss and weight regain, ensuring successful long-term treatment and allowing healthy growth. In this narrative review, we considered the rationale behind surgical treatment options, outcomes, and clinical indications in adolescents with severe obesity, focusing on LSG, nutritional management, and resolution of metabolic comorbidities.

Trends in metabolic bariatric surgery in adolescents in France: a nationwide analysis on an 11- year period

BACKGROUND

As the prevalence of obesity in adolescents has reached an alarming level of 16%, the rate of metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) in this population is also rising in several countries.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare the trends in types of MBS, short-term safety, and revisional rates, in younger adolescents aged < 18 years, compared with older adolescents (aged 18-19 yr) and adults aged >20 years.

SETTING

Clinical research center, general hospital in France.

METHODS

Using a national administrative database (Programme de Médicalisation des Systèmes d'Information [PMSI]), data regarding all patients undergoing MBS between 2008 and 2018 in France were examined. Demographic parameters, body mass index (BMI), co-morbidities, types of surgery, early complications, and long-term revisional rates were analyzed, comparing younger adolescents (<18 yr), older adolescents (18-19 yr), and adults (≥20 yr).

RESULTS

The number of bariatric procedures in adolescents initially increased from 59 in 2008 to 135 in 2014, and then progressively declined to 56 procedures in 2018. Adjustable gastric banding (AGB) decreased from 83.1% (n = 49) of procedures to 32.1% (n = 18) of procedures during the study period, while sleeve gastrectomy (SG) increased from 6.8% (n = 4) to 46.4% (n = 26). In the early postoperative period, younger adolescents undergoing MBS experienced fewer episodes of reoperation (1.0% versus 1.3% in older adolescents and 2.6% in adults, P < .001) and intensive care unit (ICU) stays (.2% versus .2% in older adolescents and .6% in adults, P < .001), and no deaths were observed in younger adolescents (.02% in older adolescents and .1% in adults, P = .18). At 10 years, the AGB removal rate was lower in younger adolescents (24.8%) compared with that in older adolescents (29.6%) and adults (50.3%, P < .001). Similarly, rates of revisional surgery after SG were different in the 3 groups: 2.9%, 4.6% and 12.2% in younger adolescents, older adolescents, and adults, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Despite significantly lower early complication rates and long-term revisional rates in young adolescents (<18 yr), we observed a progressive decrease in the utilization of MBS in this population in France, compared with adults (≥20 yr) and older adolescents (18-19 yr).

Comparison of the one-year outcomes of bariatric surgery in adolescents and young adults: a matched case-control study, Tehran Obesity Treatment Study (TOTS)

PURPOSES

The increasing use of bariatric surgery in adolescents has raised some concerns regarding the postoperative outcomes and the optimal time of surgery at young ages. However, no study has yet compared the weight loss and comorbidity resolution following bariatric surgery between adolescents and young adults.

METHODS

This study was conducted on a case group of adolescents (aged 11-18) and a control group of young adults (aged 19-29) undergoing bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass). The two groups were matched in terms of gender, body mass index (BMI), and surgery type and were assessed regarding the surgical outcomes at 1 year after surgery.

RESULTS

The baseline characteristics of the adolescents (n = 118, mean age: 17.0 ± 1.6 years) and young adults (n = 236, mean age: 25.2 ± 3.2 years) were similar, as well as surgery-associated complications. The mean loss of BMI (- 15.4 ± 3.6 vs. -15.8 ± 4.6 kg/m²) and 12-month percentage of excess weight loss (80.4 ± 20.1 vs. 80.2 ± 20.1%) were similar in the two groups. Both groups showed parallel reductions in the cardiovascular risk factors. The remission of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia was similar between the groups. The increase in the hemoglobin level and copper deficiency was greater in young adults, whereas the increase in ferritin deficiency was greater in adolescents.

CONCLUSION

Similar to young adults, bariatric surgery is an effective and safe method to achieve weight loss, resolve obesity-related comorbidities, and improve cardiovascular risk factors in the adolescents.

Metabolic and bariatric surgery is likely safe, but underutilized in adolescents aged 13-17 years

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery is now accepted for adolescents; however, we may need to improve access to surgery for this vulnerable age group.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the demographic characteristics and short-term safety outcomes of adolescents, college-aged individuals, and young adults who have had metabolic and bariatric surgery.

SETTING

Bariatric surgery centers.

METHODS

Patients aged 13-25 years in the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) database from 2015-2018 with a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code for sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or gastric bypass (GB) were included. Patients were stratified by operation and analyzed by age: adolescents (13-17 yr), college-aged (18-21 yr), and young adults (22-25 yr).

RESULTS

Of the 760,076 patients in the database, 1047 adolescents (.1%), 10,429 college-aged individuals (1.4%), and 24,841 young adults (3.8%) underwent SG or GB. The majority of patients in each group were female and white. Diabetes was most common among adolescents, hypertension among college-aged individuals. The most prevalent co-morbidity among young adults was diabetes. Preoperative BMI was 47 across all age strata. SG was performed in 27,292 patients: 879 (3.2%) adolescents, 7955 (29.2%) college-aged, and 18,447 (67.6%) young adults. Postoperative complications occurred in approximately 1% of individuals and were similar between age groups (P = .23). A total of 8292 patients underwent GB: 146 (1.8%) adolescents, 2207 (26.6%) college-aged, and 5939 (71.6%) young adults. There was no difference in 30-day complication rates between age groups (P = .32).

CONCLUSIONS

There may be a disparity in access to metabolic and bariatric surgery among adolescents, particularly for racial and ethnic minorities; however, these procedures are likely safe in adolescents as young as 13.

Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery in Older Versus Younger Adolescents

OBJECTIVES

In this report, we compare weight loss, comorbidity resolution, nutritional abnormalities, and quality of life between younger and older adolescents after metabolic and bariatric surgery.

METHODS

From March 2007 to December 2011, 242 adolescents (≤19 years of age) who underwent bariatric surgery at 5 clinical centers in the United States were enrolled in the prospective, multicenter, long-term outcome study Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery. Outcome data from younger (13-15 years; n = 66) and older (16-19 years; n = 162) study participants were compared. Outcomes included percent BMI change, comorbidity outcomes (hypertension, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus), nutritional abnormalities, and quality of life over 5 years post surgery.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics, except for age, between the 2 cohorts were similar. No significant differences in frequency of remission of hypertension (P = .84) or dyslipidemia (P = .74) were observed between age groups. Remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus was high in both groups, although statistically higher in older adolescents (relative risk 0.86; P = .046). Weight loss and quality of life were similar in the 2 age groups. Younger adolescents were less likely to develop elevated transferrin (prevalence ratio 0.52; P = .048) and low vitamin D levels (prevalence ratio 0.8; P = .034).

CONCLUSIONS

The differences in outcome of metabolic and bariatric surgery between younger and older adolescents were few. These data suggest that younger adolescents with severe obesity should not be denied consideration for surgical therapy on the basis of age alone and that providers should consider adolescents of all ages for surgical therapy for obesity when clinically indicated.

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

BACKGROUND

Severe obesity is increasingly common in youth and young adults, but outcomes following bariatric surgery remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the trends, clinical characteristics, and postoperative outcomes of youth who underwent bariatric surgery.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) data registry from 2015 to 2018 inclusive. All youth and young adults aged 15-24 who underwent elective sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) were included. Bivariate analysis of trends, clinical characteristics, and postoperative outcomes was performed using Chi-squared tests for categorical variables and independent two sample t test for continuous variables. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to determine patient and operative factors predictive of serious complications.

RESULTS

A total of 21,592 youth and young adults underwent bariatric surgery during the study time frame, representing 3.7% of total cases (n = 583,567) within the MBSAQIP. The cohort had a mean age of 21.5 ± 2.0 years and a mean BMI of 47.2 ± 8.0 kg/m² and were predominantly female (84%). A relatively constant number of youth and young adult cases per hospital were observed over time (7.4 cases/center in 2015 vs. 6.7 cases/center in 2018). Overall, < 5% of cases required reoperation, reintervention, and readmission, or led to serious complications within 30 days of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified RYGB as the single greatest independent predictor of serious complications (OR 3.1; 95% CI 2.58-3.64; p < 0.0001). Additional factors predictive of serious complications included female sex (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.01-1.70; p = 0.04), sleep apnea (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.02-1.58), and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.04-1.75; p = 0.025).

CONCLUSION

Bariatric surgery in youth is safe but comprised only 3.7% of total MBSAQIP cases from 2015 to 2018. These data should serve as a call to government and healthcare agencies to develop policies and strategies that prioritize bariatric surgery for young people living with severe obesity.