Regional Variations in the Public Delivery of Bariatric Surgery: An Evaluation of the Center of Excellence Model

The role of mesolevel characteristics of the health care system and socioeconomic factors on health care use - results of a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Besides macrolevel characteristics of a health care system, mesolevel access characteristics can exert influence on socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare use. These reflect access to healthcare, which is shaped on a smaller scale than the national level, by the institutions and establishments of a health system that individuals interact with on a regular basis. This scoping review maps the existing evidence about the influence of mesolevel access characteristics and socioeconomic position on healthcare use. Furthermore, it summarizes the evidence on the interaction between mesolevel access characteristics and socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare use.

METHODS

We used the databases MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO and followed the 'Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR)' recommendations. The included quantitative studies used a measure of socioeconomic position, a mesolevel access characteristic, and a measure of individual healthcare utilisation. Studies published between 2000 and 2020 in high income countries were considered.

RESULTS

Of the 9501 potentially eligible manuscripts, 158 studies were included after a two-stage screening process. The included studies contained a wide spectrum of outcomes and were thus summarised to the overarching categories: use of preventive services, use of curative services, and potentially avoidable service use. Exemplary outcomes were screening uptake, physician visits and avoidable hospitalisations. Access variables included healthcare system characteristics such as physician density or distance to physician. The effects of socioeconomic position on healthcare use as well as of mesolevel access characteristics were investigated by most studies. The results show that socioeconomic and access factors play a crucial role in healthcare use. However, the interaction between socioeconomic position and mesolevel access characteristics is addressed in only few studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Socioeconomic position and mesolevel access characteristics are important when examining variation in healthcare use. Additionally, studies provide initial evidence that moderation effects exist between the two factors, although research on this topic is sparse. Further research is needed to investigate whether adapting access characteristics at the mesolevel can reduce socioeconomic inequity in health care use.

Residual Risk of Breast Cancer After Bariatric Surgery

Importance

Excess adiposity confers higher risk of breast cancer for women. For women who have lost substantial weight, it is unclear whether previous obesity confers residual increased baseline risk of breast cancer compared with peers without obesity.

Objectives

To determine whether there is a residual risk of breast cancer due to prior obesity among patients who undergo bariatric surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Retrospective matched cohort study of 69 260 women with index date between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2016. Patients were followed up for 5 years after bariatric surgery or index date. Population-based clinical and administrative data from multiple databases in Ontario, Canada, were used to match a cohort of women who underwent bariatric surgery for obesity (baseline body mass index [BMI] ≥35 with comorbid conditions or BMI ≥40) to women without a history of bariatric surgery according to age and breast cancer screening history. Nonsurgical controls were divided into 4 BMI categories (<25, 25-29, 30-34, and ≥35). Data were analyzed on October 21, 2021.

Exposures

Weight loss via bariatric surgery.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Residual hazard of breast cancer after washout periods of 1, 2, and 5 years. Comparisons were made between the surgical and nonsurgical cohorts overall and within each of the BMI subgroups.

Results

In total, 69 260 women were included in the analysis, with 13 852 women in each of the 5 study cohorts. The mean (SD) age was 45.1 (10.9) years. In the postsurgical cohort vs the overall nonsurgical cohort (n = 55 408), there was an increased hazard for incident breast cancer in the nonsurgical group after washout periods of 1 year (hazard ratio [HR], 1.40 [95% CI, 1.18-1.67]), 2 years (HR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.12-1.53]), and 5 years (HR, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.21-1.58]). When the postsurgical cohort was compared with the nonsurgical cohort with BMI less than 25, the hazard of incident breast cancer was not significantly different regardless of the washout period, whereas there was a reduced hazard for incident breast cancer among postsurgical patients compared with nonsurgical patients in all high BMI categories (BMI ≥25).

Conclusions and Relevance

Findings suggest that bariatric surgery was associated with a reduced risk of developing breast cancer for women with prior obesity equivalent to that of a woman with a BMI less than 25 and a lower risk when compared with all groups with BMI greater than or equal to 25.

Bariatric Center Designation and Outcomes Following Repeat Abdominal Surgery in Bariatric Patients

INTRODUCTION

Repeat abdominal surgery in the bariatric surgery patient population may be challenging for non-bariatric-accredited institutions. The impact of regionalized bariatric care on clinical outcomes for bariatric surgery patients requiring repeat abdominal surgery is currently unknown. This study aims to investigate the association between bariatric center designation and clinical outcomes following hepatobiliary, hernia, and upper and lower gastrointestinal operations among patients with prior bariatric surgery.

METHODS

This is a cohort study of a large sample of Ontario residents who underwent primary bariatric surgery between 2010 and 2017. A comprehensive list of eligible abdominal operations was captured using administrative data. The primary outcome was 30-d complications. Secondary outcomes included 30-d mortality, readmission, and length of stay.

RESULTS

Among the 3301 study patients, 1305 (40%) received their first abdominal reoperation following bariatric surgery at a designated bariatric center. Nonbariatric center designation was not associated with significantly higher rates of 30-d complications (5.73% versus 5.72%), mortality (0.80% versus 0.77%), readmissions (1.11% versus 1.85%), or median postoperative length of stay (4 versus 4 d). After grouping the category of reoperations, upper gastrointestinal (odds ratio [OR] 0.66, confidence interval [CI] 0.39-1.11) and abdominal wall hernia surgery (OR 0.52, CI 0.27-0.99) showed a lower adjusted OR for complications among bariatric centers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that after adjustment for case-mix and patient characteristics, bariatric surgery patients undergoing repeat abdominal surgery at nonbariatric centers is not associated with higher proportion of complications or mortality. Complex hernia surgery may be considered the most appropriate for referral.

Bariatric Surgery and Breast Cancer Incidence: a Population-Based, Matched Cohort Study

PURPOSE

Obesity is associated with increased breast cancer risk in women. Bariatric surgery induces substantial weight loss. However, the effects of such weight loss on subsequent breast cancer risk in women with obesity are poorly understood. To examine breast cancer incidence and related outcomes in women with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a population-based matched cohort study of breast surgery outcomes utilizing linked clinical databases in Ontario, Canada. Women with obesity who underwent bariatric surgery were 1:1 matched using a propensity score to non-surgical controls for age and breast cancer screening history. The main outcomes were incidence of breast cancer after lag periods of 1, 2, and 5 years. Additional outcomes included tumor hormone receptor status, cancer stage, and treatments undertaken. Time-varying Cox proportional hazard models accounting for screening during follow-up were used to model cancer incidence.

RESULTS

A total of 12,724 women per group were included, average age 45.09. After a 1-year lag, breast cancer incidence occurred in 1.09% and 0.79% of the control and surgery groups, respectively (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.81 [95%CI 0.69-0.95]; p = 0.01). This association was maintained after lag periods of 2 and 5 years. Women in the surgical cohort diagnosed with breast cancer were more likely to have low-grade tumors and less likely to have high-grade tumors (overall p < 0.01). No association was found for tumor hormone receptor status, although the surgical group was more likely to have her2neu-negative tumors (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Bariatric surgery was associated with a lower incidence of breast cancer and lower tumor grade in women with obesity. Further evaluation of outcomes, including mortality, is required.

Association Between Bariatric Surgery and Major Adverse Diabetes Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes and Obesity

IMPORTANCE

There are high-quality randomized clinical trial data demonstrating the effect of bariatric surgery on type 2 diabetes remission, but these studies are not powered to study mortality in this patient group. Large observational studies are warranted to study the association of bariatric surgery with mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between bariatric surgery and all-cause mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes and severe obesity.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective, population-based matched cohort study included patients with type 2 diabetes and body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) 35 or greater who underwent bariatric surgery from January 2010 to December 2016 in Ontario, Canada. Multiple linked administrative databases were used to define confounders, including age, baseline BMI, sex, comorbidities, duration of diabetes diagnosis, health care utilization, socioeconomic status, smoking status, substance abuse, cancer screening, and psychiatric history. Potential controls were identified from a primary care electronic medical record database. Data were analyzed in 2020.

EXPOSURE

Bariatric surgery (gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy) and nonsurgical management of obesity provided by the primary care physician.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were cause-specific mortality and nonfatal morbidities. Groups were compared through a multivariable Cox proportional Hazards model.

RESULTS

A total of 6910 patients (mean [SD] age at baseline, 52.04 [9.45] years; 4950 [71.6%] women) were included, with 3455 patients who underwent bariatric surgery and 3455 match controls and a median (interquartile range) follow-up time of 4.6 (3.22-6.35) years. In the surgery group, 83 patients (2.4%) died, compared with 178 individuals (5.2%) in the control group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.53 [95% CI, 0.41-0.69]; P < .001). Bariatric surgery was associated with a 68% lower cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.32 [95% CI, 0.15-0.66]; P = .002) and a 34% lower rate of composite cardiac events (HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.55-0.85]; P < .001). Risk of nonfatal renal events was also 42% lower in the surgical group compared with the control group (HR, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.35-0.95], P = .03). Of the groups that had the highest absolute benefit associated with bariatric surgery, men had an absolute risk reduction (ARR) of 3.7% (95% CI, 1.7%-5.7%), individuals with more than 15 years of diabetes had an ARR of 4.3% (95% CI, 0.8%-7.8%), and individuals aged 55 years or older had an ARR of 4.7% (95% CI, 3.0%-6.4%).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

These findings suggest that bariatric surgery was associated with reduced all-cause mortality and diabetes-specific cardiac and renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and severe obesity.

Association Between Bariatric Surgery and All-Cause Mortality: A Population-Based Matched Cohort Study in a Universal Health Care System

BACKGROUND

Mortality after bariatric surgery has been previously studied, but cohort selection bias, completeness of follow-up, and collection of confounders have limited the inference of results.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between bariatric surgery and all-cause mortality.

DESIGN

Population-based matched cohort study.

SETTING

Ontario, Canada.

PARTICIPANTS

13 679 patients who underwent bariatric surgery from January 2010 to December 2016 and 13 679 matched nonsurgical patients.

INTERVENTION

Bariatric surgery.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, with cause-specific mortality as the secondary outcome. Patients were matched according to age, sex, body mass index, and diabetes duration.

RESULTS

13 679 patients who underwent bariatric surgery were matched to 13 679 nonsurgical patients. After a median follow-up of 4.9 years, the overall mortality rate was 1.4% (n = 197) in the surgery group and 2.5% (n = 340) in the nonsurgery group, with a lower adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of overall all-cause mortality (HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.57 to 0.81]). Patients aged 55 years or older had an absolute risk reduction of 3.3% (CI, 2.3% to 4.3%), with a lower HR of mortality in the surgery group (HR, 0.53 [CI, 0.41 to 0.69]). Observed relative effects were similar across sex; however, the observed association in absolute terms was greater in men. Surgery also was associated with lower cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.53 [CI, 0.34 to 0.84]) and lower cancer mortality (HR, 0.54 [CI, 0.36 to 0.80]).

LIMITATION

The observational design limits causal inference.

CONCLUSION

Bariatric surgery was associated with substantially lower all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. The lowered observed mortality of surgery was significant across most subgroups. The largest absolute effects were for men and patients aged 55 years or older.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

Ontario Bariatric Network.

The effect of distance on short-term outcomes in a regionalized, publicly funded bariatric surgery model

BACKGROUND

While high-volume Centers of Excellence (COE) for bariatric surgery may have improved clinical outcomes, their disparate distribution results in longer travel distances for patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of distance from COE on outcomes and readmission.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of all adults, aged 18 years or older, receiving bariatric surgery from April 2009 to March 2012 in the province of Ontario. Main outcomes included 30-day complication rates and readmission. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the impact of distance from patients' primary residence to their bariatric COE on patient outcomes and readmissions.

RESULTS

Five thousand and seven patients were identified, two-thirds residing within 100 km of a COE with a mean distance of 117.2 km. The majority of patients did not reside within a Local Integrated Health Network (LHIN) that contained a COE, while 18.3% of patients lived in rural areas. Using multivariable adjustment, for every 10 km increase from the COE where surgery was performed, the Odds Ratio (OR) for complications was 1.00 [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.99-1.01; P = 0.747]. Additionally, both residing in a LHIN without a COE, OR 1.10 (95% CI 0.87-1.40; P = 0.434), and rural status, OR 0.97 (95% CI 0.77-1.23; P = 0.821) showed no increase in risk of complication. Similarly, further distances did not influence rate of readmission, OR 0.99 (95% CI 0.98-1.00; P = 0.077) nor did rural status OR 1.31 (95% CI 0.97-1.76; P = 0.076).

CONCLUSION

The COE model, where a few centers in high population areas service a large geographic region, is adequate in ensuring patients that live further away receive appropriate short-term care.

A Landscape of Bariatric Surgery in Canada: For the Treatment of Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and Other Comorbidities in Adults

Obesity has escalated worldwide and in Canada. Many chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, are directly correlated with obesity, and although the benefits and effectiveness of bariatric surgery have been proven in terms of sustained weight loss and improving comorbidities, the procedure is underaccessed and underutilized in Canada. We explored the complex landscape of bariatric surgery in Canada, reviewing the current state and focusing on the volume of procedures nationwide and at the provincial level, the type of surgical procedures performed, their outcomes and their associated complications. Barriers and challenges curbing access to bariatric surgery are also explored. Approximately 8,583 publicly funded bariatric surgeries were performed in 9 of 10 provinces in 2015/2016; Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric banding and biliopancreatic diversion with or without duodenal switch are the most common procedures performed, and coverage varies among provinces and territories. Dedicated bariatric programs have been created and, in some instances, provincial networks have also emerged. Weight loss, resolution of comorbidities and rates of complications in Canada are similar to those found in the literature. The increase in the number of bariatric procedures performed over time has still not met the current demand. The rise in obesity rates, the speed and regional variations in the development and standardization of processes, adequate patient selection, funding and prioritization and gaps in knowledge and attitudes about the merits of bariatric surgery of patients, health providers and policy makers create considerable waiting times and are some of the barriers to better access to bariatric surgery.

Morbidity and health-related quality of life of patients accessing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a single-centre cross-sectional study in one province of Canada

Background

In Canada, severe obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m²) affects 5% or 1.2 million adults. Bariatric surgery is the only effective treatment for severe obesity, but the demand for publicly funded procedures is high and capacity limited. Little is known in Canada about the types of patients undergoing these procedures, especially laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The study objective is to examine the socio-demographic profile, morbidity and HRQoL of patients accessing LSG in one Canadian province.

Methods

Health status and HRQoL were examined in patients (n = 195) undergoing LSG. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-3L, SF-12v2 and the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-lite questionnaire.

Results

Mean age and BMI were 44 and 49 kg/m² and most were women (82%). Pre-surgery, comorbidities were sleep apnea (65%), dyslipidemia (48%), hypertension (47%) and osteoarthritis (44%). Patients reported impaired HRQoL with 44-67% reporting problems in mobility, usual activities, pain and anxiety/depression. Physical health was impaired more than mental health. There were few socio-demographic differences between women and men, but significant differences in comorbid conditions such as sleep apnea, dyslipidemia, hypertension and gout exist (p < .05). Women reported fewer problems with self-care (9.5% vs. 25.0%, p < .05), and better overall health (VAS 61.5 vs. 52.0, p < .05) and General Health (39.3 vs. 32.9, p < .05), but greater impairment in self-esteem (27.3 vs. 44.1, p < .01) and sexual life (49.2 vs. 63.6, p < .05).

Conclusions

Before LSG, patients reported significant morbidity and impaired HRQoL. Although baseline characteristics were similar between men and women, gender specific differences were observed in comorbid profile and HRQoL.

Potential impact of a volume pledge on spatial access: A population-level analysis of patients undergoing pancreatectomy

BACKGROUND

A minimum-volume policy restricting hospitals not meeting the threshold from performing complex operation may increase travel burden and decrease spatial access to operation. We aim to identify vulnerable populations that would be sensitive to an added travel burden.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of the database of the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development for patients undergoing pancreatectomy from 2005 to 2014. Number of hospitals bypassed was used as a metric for travel. Patients bypassing fewer hospitals were deemed to be more sensitive to an added travel burden.

RESULTS

There were 13,374 patients who underwent a pancreatectomy, of whom 2,368 (17.7%) were nonbypassers. On unadjusted analysis, patients >80 year old travelled less than their younger counterparts, bypassing a mean of 10.9 ± 9.5 hospitals compared with 14.2 ± 21.3 hospitals bypassed by the 35-49 year old age group (P < .001). Racial minorities travelled less when compared with non-Hispanic whites (P < .001). Patients identifying their payer status as self-pay (8.9 ± 15.6 hospitals bypassed) and Medicaid (10.1 ± 17.2 hospitals bypassed) also travelled less when compared with patients with private insurance (13.8 ± 20.4 hospitals bypassed, P < .001). On multivariate analysis, advanced age, racial minority, and patients with self-pay or Medicaid payer status were associated independently with increased sensitivity to an added travel burden.

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing pancreatectomy, the elderly, racial minorities, and patients with self-pay or Medicaid payer status were associated with an increased sensitivity to an added travel burden. This vulnerable cohort may be affected disproportionately by a minimum-volume policy.

Geographic and socioeconomic factors affecting delivery of bariatric surgery across high- and low-utilization healthcare systems

Background

In countries with universal health coverage, the delivery of care should be driven by need. However, other factors, such as proximity to local facilities or neighbourhood socioeconomic status, may be more important. The objective of this study was to evaluate which geographic and socioeconomic factors affect the delivery of bariatric care in Canada.

Methods

This was a national retrospective cohort study of all adult patients undergoing bariatric surgery between April 2008 and March 2015 in Canada (excluding Quebec). The main outcome was neighbourhood rate of bariatric surgery per 1000 obese individuals (BMI over 30 kg/m2). Geographic cluster analysis and multilevel ordinal logistic regression were used to identify high-use clusters, and to evaluate the effect of geographic and socioeconomic factors on care delivery.

Results

Having a bariatric facility within the same public health unit as the neighbourhood was associated with a 6·6 times higher odds of being in a bariatric high-use cluster (odds ratio (OR) 6·60, 95 per cent c.i. 1·90 to 22·88; P = 0·003). This finding was consistent across provinces after adjusting for utilization rates. Neighbourhoods with higher obesity rates were also more likely to be within high-use clusters (OR per 5 per cent increase: 2·95, 1·54 to 5·66; P = 0·001), whereas neighbourhoods closer to bariatric centres were less likely to be (OR per 50 km: 0·91, 0·82 to 1·00; P = 0·048).

Conclusion

In this study, across provincial healthcare systems with high and low utilization, the delivery of care was driven by the presence of local facilities and neighbourhood obesity rates. Increasing distance to bariatric centres substantially influenced care delivery.

Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Liraglutide 3.0 mg in Individuals with BMI above and below 35 kg/m²: A Post-hoc Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the efficacy and safety of liraglutide 3.0 mg differed between two subgroups, BMI 27 to <35 and BMI ≥ 35 kg/m², in individuals without and with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

A post-hoc analysis of two 56-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes; SCALE Diabetes). Subgroup differences in treatment effects of liraglutide 3.0 mg were evaluated by testing the interaction between treatment group and baseline BMI subgroup.

RESULTS

Significantly greater weight loss (0-56 weeks) was observed with liraglutide 3.0 mg versus placebo in all patient groups while on treatment. There was no evidence that the weight-lowering effect of liraglutide 3.0 mg differed between BMI subgroups (interaction p > 0.05). Similarly, for most secondary endpoints significantly greater improvements were observed with liraglutide 3.0 mg versus placebo, with no indication treatment effects differing between subgroups. The safety profile of liraglutide 3.0 mg was broadly similar across BMI subgroups.

CONCLUSION

This post-hoc analysis did not indicate any differences in the treatment effects, or safety profile, of liraglutide 3.0 mg for individuals with BMI 27 to <35 or ≥35 kg/m². Liraglutide 3.0 mg can therefore be considered for individuals with a BMI of ≥35 as well as for those with a BMI of 27 to <35 kg/m².

Outcomes the Ontario Bariatric Network: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery centres of excellence are relatively new in Canada and were first started in Ontario in 2009. This study presents short-term outcomes of Canada's largest bariatric collaborative, from Ontario, during its first 3 years.

METHODS

We performed a population-based cohort study that included all patients (age ≥ 18) who received a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy for the purpose of weight loss from March 2009 to April 2012 within Ontario. Data were derived from the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract and Hospital Morbidity Databases. Primary outcomes included short-term overall complication rate, reoperation rate, anastomotic leak rate and death. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for overall complications. A median odds ratio (OR) was used to compare risk-adjusted complication rates across centres of excellence.

RESULTS

A total of 5007 procedures (91.7% Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 8.3% sleeve gastrectomy) were performed during the 3-year study period, with an overall complication rate of 11.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.8%-12.6%). The leak rate was 0.84% (95% CI 0.61%-1.13%), the reoperation rate was 4.6% (95% CI 4.0%-5.2%) and mortality was 0.16% (95% CI 0.07%-0.31%). Male sex, chronic kidney disease and osteoarthritis were identified as risk factors for overall complications (p value < 0.05). The median ORs across centres of excellence, calculated for both overall complications and reoperation rate, were 1.76 and 1.49, respectively.

INTERPRETATION

Bariatric surgery within Ontario has similar short-term outcomes to those of other major world centres. The variability of outcomes within centres of excellence highlights areas for program quality improvement.

30-Day readmission after bariatric surgery in a publicly funded regionalized center of excellence system

BACKGROUND

Avoidable readmission after surgery is a major burden on healthcare resources and is common after major surgery. Bariatric surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in North America, and there is a paucity of strategies to prevent readmission. Strategies for prevention must first identify actual risk factors before interventions can be designed.

METHODS

Our objective was to evaluate the readmission rate, characteristics of readmitted patients, and factors associated with readmission. We performed a population-based cohort study that included all patients who received a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) procedure in Ontario from April 2009 until March 2012 for the purposes of weight loss. Data were derived from the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Database and Hospital Morbidity Database.

RESULTS

Over 3 years, 5007 procedures (91.7 % RYGB, 8.1 % SG) were performed with an overall 30-day readmission rate of 6.1 %. Readmission stays of 72 h or less accounted for 83 % of the cohort. The most common reasons for readmission were: infectious complications (24.6 %), pain (16.4 %) nausea/vomiting (11.5 %), bleeding complications (11.5 %), obstruction (5.6 %). A complication during initial admission OR 2.07 (95 % CI 1.44-2.97; P value < 0.001) and a length of stay greater than 2 days OR 1.40 (95 % CI 1.07-1.84; P value = 0.013) were independent predictors of readmission within 30 days.

CONCLUSION

The readmission rate after bariatric surgery in Ontario is similar to other major population-based bariatric surgery programs. Complications on initial admission and prolonged length of stay were independent predictors of readmission. Considering a large proportion of the readmissions were short term, future research into potential measures to prevent these readmissions is essential.