Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVE:This study examined racial and ethnic differences in percent total weight loss (%TWL) and glycemic improvement following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and explored the role of socioeconomic and psychosocial factors in postsurgical outcomes. METHODS:This longitudinal study included patients who underwent SG between 2017 and 2020, with follow-up visits over 24 months. RESULTS:Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) participants had lower %TWL at 3, 12, and 24 months compared with Hispanic (H) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) participants. Fat mass index was initially lower in NHB, with smaller reductions over time and significant group differences persisting at 24 months. NHB participants had higher baseline fat-free mass index values; by 24 months, fat-free mass index values were lower in H participants. Hemoglobin A1c decreased across all groups but remained consistently higher in NHB and H compared with NHW at 24 months. NHB participants reported higher perceived discrimination, sleep disturbance, and perceived stress than H and NHW participants at all time points. Employment status predicted %TWL at 12 months. There was a significant interaction between race and ethnicity and employment status observed at 12 and 24 months, suggesting that employment-related disparities could impact surgical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS:NHB participants experienced less favorable outcomes following SG, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions addressing socioeconomic and psychosocial disparities.

BACKGROUND/UNASSIGNED:Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is inversely associated with incident cardiovascular events, independent of HDL cholesterol. Obesity is characterized by low HDL cholesterol and impaired HDL function, such as CEC. Bariatric surgery, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG), broadly leads to improved cardiovascular outcomes, but impacts on risk factors differ by procedure, with greater improvements in weight loss, blood pressure, and glycemic control after RYGB, but greater improvements in HDL cholesterol and CEC levels after SG. This study sought to determine effects of RYGB and SG on HDL protein and lipid cargo and investigate associations with CEC changes. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:We prospectively studied nondiabetic, premenopausal Hispanic women with severe obesity not using lipid medications undergoing RYGB (n=31) or SG (n=36). Anthropometric measurements and blood sampling were obtained before and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. HDL was isolated from plasma, and quantitative proteomic and lipidomic assessments were performed with LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry). CEC was assessed ex vivo using apoB-depleted serum. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:Participants experienced similar, significant weight loss over 12 months following bariatric surgery (38.0±10.4 kg) regardless of the procedure. Relative quantities of 47 proteins (34 increased, 13 decreased) and 150 lipids (71 increased, 79 decreased) carried on HDL were significantly altered following either surgical procedure. Proteins with similar aggregate response patterns were clustered into 15 groups (5 increased, 5 decreased, 5 minimal change) and lipids with similar aggregate responses into 25 groups (7 increased, 11 decreased, 7 minimal change). Network mediation analyses suggested that changes in 4 protein and 2 lipid clusters mediated changes in ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1) CEC and that 1 lipid cluster mediated changes in non-ABCA1 CEC. The protein and lipid clusters that mediated changes in CEC were distinct between SG and RYGB. CONCLUSIONS/UNASSIGNED:Bariatric surgery produces substantial changes in HDL lipid and protein cargo, and specific changes may mediate changes in HDL function in CEC. Further study of these mechanisms may lead to improved interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with obesity.

BACKGROUND:Conversion from sleeve gastrectomy (SG) to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) may be indicated for patients due to insufficient weight loss or weight regain. OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To assess weight loss outcomes and factors predictive of improved weight loss in patients undergoing RYGB after SG and create an algorithm to estimate postoperative weight loss in these patients. SETTING/METHODS:University Hospital. METHODS:Retrospective review of patients who underwent conversion from SG to RYGB from 2015 to 2022 was performed, assessing pre-and post-operative weights for each procedure. RESULTS:increase yielded 0.8% greater %TBWL [95% CI 0.5-1%, p < 0.0001]) and peak %EWL ≥ 40% after SG (yielding 5.5% more %TBWL, 95%CI 3.9-7.1%, p < 0.0001). Conversely, those who had ≥ 20% weight regain after SG had 4.1% less %TBWL (95%CI 2.5-5.7%, p < 0.0001) after conversion. These factors were used to create BE-CALM, an algorithm to predict %TBWL one year after conversion to RYGB. CONCLUSIONS:Conversion from SG to RYGB is effective for further weight loss. Patients who have higher starting BMI, ≥ 40% %EWL or ≤ 20% weight regain after SG demonstrate the most effective weight loss post-conversion.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:We developed a comprehensive sleeve gastrectomy (SG) weight loss study cohort and biorepository to uncover mechanisms, biomarkers and predictive factors of weight loss, weight maintenance and amelioration of obesity-related comorbidities. For this purpose, we collected psychosocial, anthropometric, clinical data and a variety of samples pre-surgery, intraoperatively and 1.5, 3, 12 and 24 months post-surgery. For longer-term assessment, the collection of psychosocial and anthropometric data was extended to 10 years. Here, we present in-depth characterisation of the cohort and detailed overview of study procedures as a foundation for future analyses. PARTICIPANTS/METHODS:We consented 647 participants between June 2017 and March 2020 from two bariatric surgery clinics in New York City-one major urban hospital and one private hospital. Of 355 participants who provided baseline data, 300 underwent SG. Of these, 79% are females with an average age of 38 years, 68% are Hispanic, 20% are non-Hispanic Black and 11% are non-Hispanic White. FINDINGS TO DATE/RESULTS:We collected intraoperative adipose and stomach tissues from 282 patients and biosamples (blood, urine, saliva, stool) from 245 patients at 1.5 months, 238 at 3 month, 218 at 12 months and 180 at 24 months post-surgery. We are currently collecting anthropometric and psychosocial data annually until 10 years post-surgery. Data analysis is currently underway. FUTURE PLANS/UNASSIGNED:Our future research will explore the variability in weight loss outcomes observed in our cohort, particularly among Black and Hispanic patients in comparison to their White counterparts. We will identify social determinants of health, metabolic factors and other variables that may predict weight loss success, weight maintenance and remission of obesity-related comorbidities. Additionally, we plan to leverage our biorepository for collaborative research studies. We will complete long-term follow-up data by December 2031. We plan to apply for funding to expand biosample collection through year 10 to provide insights into the mechanisms of long-term weight maintenance.

Widespread pain (WP) is associated with reduced function and disability. Importantly, three-fourths of the approximately 42% of U.S. adults with obesity have WP. Moreover, rates of adult obesity are higher, and WP outcomes are worse in racialized non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latino/a/X groups, potentially exacerbating existing pain disparities. Bariatric surgery significantly reduces weight and improves pain. However, recurrent or unresolved pain after bariatric surgery can hinder weight loss or facilitate weight regain. The current study conducted a secondary analysis of a longitudinal study of predictors and mechanisms of weight loss after bariatric surgery to examine the point prevalence of WP and pain trajectories 24 months post surgery. Our secondary aim was to examine the association between weight loss and pain characteristics. Our exploratory aim was to longitudinally examine racial differences in pain trajectories after bariatric surgery. Our results showed that point prevalence decreased after bariatric surgery. Additionally, significant improvements in pain trajectories occurred within the first 3 months post surgery with a pattern of pain reemergence beginning at 12 months post surgery. Hispanic/Latino/a/X participants reported a higher number of painful anatomical sites before bariatric surgery, and the rate of change in this domain for this group was faster compared with the racialized non-Hispanic Black participants. These findings suggest that pain improvements are most evident during the early stages of surgical weight loss in racialized populations of adults with WP. Thus, clinicians should routinely monitor patients' weight changes after bariatric surgery as they are likely to correspond to changes in their pain experiences. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents the prevalence and pain trajectories of racialized adults with WP after surgical weight loss. Clinicians should evaluate changes in the magnitude and spatial distribution of pain after significant weight change in these populations so that pain interventions can be prescribed with greater precision.

BACKGROUND:Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including Portomesenteric vein thrombosis (PMVT), is a major complication of sleeve gastrectomy (SG). We changed our practice in July 2021 to routinely discharge all SG patients postoperatively with extended chemoprophylaxis for 30 days. OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:Evaluate the efficacy and safety of routine extended chemoprophylaxis compared to 2 prior timeframes using selective extended chemoprophylaxis. SETTING/METHODS:University Hospital. METHODS:Between 2012-2018, SG patients were discharged on extended chemoprophylaxis for patients deemed "high-risk" for VTE, including patients with body mass index (BMI) >50, and previous VTE. Between 2018-2021, extended chemoprophylaxis was broadened to include patients with positive preoperative thrombophilia panels (including Factor VIII). After 2021, all SG were routinely discharged on extended chemoprophylaxis. The typical regimen was 30 days Lovenox BID (40-mg twice daily for BMI> 40, 60-mg twice daily for BMI >60). Outcomes evaluated were rate of VTE/PMVT and postoperative bleed, including delayed bleed. RESULTS:, respectively. The overall incidence of PMVT was 33/8864 (.37%). Converting from selective extended chemoprophylaxis (Group 1) to routine extended chemoprophylaxis (Group 3) decreased the rate of PMVT from .55% to .21% (P = .13). There was a significantly higher overall bleeding rate (.85%), including delayed bleeds (.34%) in the routine extended chemoprophylaxis patients (P < .05). These bleeds were mainly managed nonoperatively. CONCLUSIONS:Routine extended (30 day) chemoprophylaxis for all SG may reduce PMVT rate but lead to a higher bleeding rate post-operatively. The vast majority of the increased bleeds are delayed and can be managed non-operatively.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Ultrasound (US) is considered a first-line study for painless jaundice. However, in our hospital system, patients with new-onset painless jaundice often have a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) regardless of the sonographic findings. Thus, we investigated the accuracy of US for detection of biliary dilatation in patients with new-onset painless jaundice. METHODS:Our electronic medical record was searched from January 1, 2012, to January 1, 2020, for adult patients with new-onset painless jaundice. Presenting complaint/setting, laboratory values, imaging studies/findings, and final diagnoses were recorded. Patients with pain or known liver disease were excluded. A gastrointestinal physician reviewed the laboratory values/chart to classify the type of suspected obstruction. Two radiologists blindly re-reviewed the US scans, and κ between the radiologists was calculated. Fisher exact test and the 2-sample t test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS:Three hundred sixty patients presented with jaundice (>3 mg/dL), of whom 68 met the inclusion criteria (no pain and no known liver disease). Laboratory values had an overall accuracy of 54%, but were accurate in 87.5% and 85% for obstructing stones/pancreaticobiliary cancer. Ultrasound demonstrated overall accuracy of 78%, but only 69% for pancreaticobiliary cancer and 12.5% for common bile duct stone. Seventy-five percent of the patients underwent follow-up CECT or MRCP regardless of presenting setting. In the emergency department or inpatient setting, 92% of the patients underwent CECT or MRCP regardless of US, and 81% had follow-up CECT or MRCP within 24 hours. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:A US-first strategy in the setting of new-onset painless jaundice is accurate only 78% of the time. In practice, US was almost never a stand-alone imaging examination in patients presenting to the emergency department or inpatient setting with new-onset painless jaundice, no matter the suspected diagnosis based on clinical and laboratory grounds or on the US findings themselves. However, for milder elevations of unconjugated bilirubin (suspicious for Gilbert disease) in the outpatient setting, a US demonstrating lack of biliary dilatation was often a definitive study for exclusion of pathology.

BACKGROUND:Assessment of eating disorder psychopathology during preoperative psychological evaluations could be facilitated with psychometrically valid measures. One of the most commonly used measures, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), is lengthy and has been found to have psychometric limitations. Research has identified a shorter version that has received reliable support across diverse samples but requires further validation for use with patients being evaluated for bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To cross-validate the factor structure of the EDE-Q: Brief Form (EDE-Q-BF, standalone, nonnested version) with patients being evaluated for bariatric surgery across English- and Spanish-language versions and establish measurement invariance for gender and language. SETTING/METHODS:Northeastern hospital in the United States. METHODS:Participants (n = 618) undergoing evaluations prior to bariatric surgery who identified as Hispanic/Latino/a/x and consented to participate in this research study (which did not influence eligibility for bariatric surgery) completed self-reports. Of the 618 participants, 92 were male and 526 were female, 318 preferred English and were administered English versions of the measures, and 300 preferred Spanish and were administered Spanish versions of the measures. RESULTS:[11] = 18.47; P = .071; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = .033; comparative fit index [CFI] > .99; standardized root mean squared residual [SRMR] = .02). Scaler invariance was met for both gender and language. Correlations with external criteria further supported its validity. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The EDE-Q-BF can easily be administered as part of a preoperative psychological assessment battery to screen for eating disorder psychopathology and is valid for Hispanic/Latino/a/x men and women who speak either English or Spanish.