Clinical and nutritional characteristics of bariatric patients: a study in a hospital in the backlands of Pernambuco

Abstract

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity, as it not only leads to significant and sustainable long-term weight loss but also improves metabolism and helps control various associated conditions. So, the study aimed to assess the profile of obese patients in the immediate preoperative and postoperative period of bariatric surgery at a private hospital in the backlands of Pernambuco. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2020, analyzing anthropometric, clinical, sociodemographic, and lifestyle variables. The significance level considered was p<0,05. The sample consisted of 35 adults, with a predominance of females (57,1%), white ethnicity (68,6%), and an income of more than three minimum wages (62,9%). The bypass technique was performed in 83,3% of patients, who had a mean age of 41,00 ± 9,5 years, while those undergoing the sleeve technique were younger (37,82 ± 7,88 years). In the bypass technique, grade III obesity, hypertension, and diabetes were more prevalent as well. In terms of lifestyle, sedentarism (68,6%), absenteeism, and non-smoking were predominant. In the immediate postoperative period of up to 30 days, both groups followed the hospital's dietary protocol and no differences were observed regarding gastrointestinal changes or other studied variables. Therefore, the predominant profile of patients undergoing bariatric surgery was young adult women with a family history of dyslipidemia. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity, and the bypass technique was the most frequently performed procedure. No gastrointestinal changes were observed between the two surgical techniques in the immediate postoperative period.