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01-08-2021 | Bariatric Surgery | Original Contributions

Substance Use, Mental Health, and Weight-Related Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Patients

Authors: Sarah E. Messiah, Maduri Uppuluri, Luyu Xie, Jeffrey N. Schellinger, M. Sunil Mathew, Ashley Ofori, Sachin Kukreja, Benjamin Schneider, Samuel H. Dunn, Anna Tavakkoli, Jaime P. Almandoz

Published in: Obesity Surgery | Issue 8/2021

Abstract

Purpose

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on behavioral issues among those who have completed bariatric surgery (BS) is not well described in ethnically diverse populations. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of COVID-19 lockdown orders and after lockdown orders were lifted on substance use, mental health, and weight-related behaviors among a sample of post-BS adults.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective medical chart review identified BS patients from one university-based obesity medicine clinic and two BS practices. An online non-anonymous survey was implemented in two phases: during lockdown (April 1–May 31, 2020) and after lockdown orders were lifted (June 1, 2020–September 30, 2020) to obtain information about the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on BS patients.

Results

A total of 189 (during lockdown=39, post-lockdown=150) participants (90.4% female, mean age 52.4 years, SD 11.1, 49.8% non-Hispanic White, 30.6% non-Hispanic Black, 16.1% Hispanic) participated. Lockdown participants were more likely to have sleep problems (74.3% vs. 56.1%, P=.039) and feel anxious (82.0% vs. 63.0%, P=.024) versus post-lockdown participants. A majority (83.4%) reported depression in both lockdown/post-lockdown. Post-lockdown participants were more than 20 times more likely to report substance use compared those in lockdown (aOR 20.56, 95% CI 2.66–158.4).

Conclusions and Relevance

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a substantial negative impact on substance use, mental health, and weight-related health behaviors in diverse BS patients. These findings have important implications for post-BS patient care teams and may suggest the integration of screening tools to identify those at high risk for behavioral health issues.

Graphical abstract

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Title: Substance Use, Mental Health, and Weight-Related Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Patients
Authors: Sarah E. Messiah
Maduri Uppuluri
Luyu Xie
Jeffrey N. Schellinger
M. Sunil Mathew
Ashley Ofori
Sachin Kukreja
Benjamin Schneider
Samuel H. Dunn
Anna Tavakkoli
Jaime P. Almandoz
Publication date: 01-08-2021
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Bariatric Surgery
Affective Disorder
Bariatric Surgery
Affective Disorder
COVID-19
Published in: Obesity Surgery / Issue 8/2021
Print ISSN: 0960-8923
Electronic ISSN: 1708-0428
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-021-05488-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Substance Use, Mental Health, and Weight-Related Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Patients

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusions and Relevance

Graphical abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusions and Relevance

Graphical abstract

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