Abstract
Background
Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective treatment for clinically severe obesity, but inequity in male and female utilization is well recognized. Approximately 20% of patients undergoing bariatric surgery are male. This paper aims to describe differences in outcomes by gender and to understand the physiologic and psychological differences that may explain this gender gap.
Methods
We examined 61,708 patients from the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative (MBSC) undergoing primary bariatric surgery between 2006 and 2016. Clinical data regarding demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes were compared by gender. Preoperative and 1-year postoperative surveys gathered psychological outcomes.
Results
This cohort was consistent with the national population with approximately 22% male patients. There were several significant differences between males and females at the time of surgery. Males tended to be older, have a higher BMI, be married, have lower self-reported depression scores, and have more comorbidities (all p < 0.05). Postoperatively, males suffered more serious complications than women (2.67 vs. 2.12, respectively, p < 0.05). At 1 year postoperatively, males were significantly more satisfied with their operation despite increased complications, decreased weight loss, and decreased rates of comorbidity resolution as compared to females (all p < 0.05).
Conclusions
Despite significantly lower weight loss and increased complication rates, males tend to have markedly higher satisfaction and psychological well-being scores than females. To improve outcomes in males, earlier referral to surgery may help to significantly reduce their risk. Conversely, increased attention to psychological support in the perioperative period for females may lead to improved psychological outcomes (i.e., body image, depression, psychological well-being).
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Acknowledgements
Dr. Ghaferi is supported through Grants from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (Grants #: 5K08HS02362 and P30HS024403) and a Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute Award (CE-1304-6596). Dr. Ghaferi receives salary support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as the Director of the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative.
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Dr. Telem serves as a consultant to Medtronic. Jeanne Kochkodan and Amir A. Ghaferi have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.
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Kochkodan, J., Telem, D.A. & Ghaferi, A.A. Physiologic and psychological gender differences in bariatric surgery. Surg Endosc 32, 1382–1388 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-017-5819-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-017-5819-z