Chronic pain following gastric bypass surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patients experience of chronic pain following RYGB. A single centre experience and a review of the literature. A qualitative study.
IRAS ID
306153
Contact name
Suhaib Ahmad
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NA, NA
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 1 months, 1 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
The study aims to provide an insight into subjective experiences of chronic pain, following gastric bypass surgery with the goal that this insight will improve clinical practice. The patients will be invited to take part in an interview with the lead researcher where patients will be invited to share their experiences, including describing a typical day and how their life has been affected by their chronic pain. The interview will take place remotely, via Microsoft Teams audio conferencing or phone call and is expected to take up to 1 hour. With the patient’s permission we will use direct quotes from the interview in the results of the research, but we will write it in such a way that that they will not be identified in any reports or publications.
We understand that this topic may cause patients some distress. Thus, they will be able to pause the interview at any time. They will also be encouraged to contact the chief investigator if they feel that they are at risk of harm, and they will also be encouraged to inform the relevant authority. Furthermore, if the chief investigator feels that they are at risk of harm or if they disclose any harm that has occurred as a result of this study, the chief investigator might inform the relevant authority with or without their prior consent. However, the chief investigator will inform the patients before doing so.Summary of Results
Background
Bariatric surgery is considered the most effective intervention for sustained weight loss in obese patients which can have significant improvements in health outcomes, both physically and psychologically. Of all the surgeries, the Roux en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) is one of the most frequently performed bariatric procedures, accounting for 17.8% of the total operations performed worldwide. It does however come with risks including malnutrition, osteoporosis, esophagogastric cancers and chronic pain. This chronic pain being remains a complication that is still not fully understood.Objectives:
To understand the subjective experience of chronic pain, following RYGB, to help advance theoretical understanding and improve clinical practice.Methods
This study received ethical and HRA approvals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, in which participants were asked open-ended questions about their lived experience of chronic abdominal pain. The inclusion criteria were as following: 1) Patients who suffered from obscure chronic pain, despite extensive investigations and treatments, following RYGB, 2) Pain lasting for more than 5 years, following RYGB, 3) Aged over 18 4) Access to an electronic device for the purpose of signing the consent form and participating in the interview.
Patients who lack the capacity to consent for themselves were excluded.Results
Five patients aged 51-70 (mean 64) participated in the study, with three females and one male. Key themes identified included physical, emotional, social, and environmental disruption. Chronic pain led to significant life impairments, described as unpredictable, distressing, and restrictive. Psychological distress, such as depression and anxiety, was common, and pain impacted social interactions, work, and independence. Coping mechanisms included spirituality and alternative therapies. Patients reported frustration with healthcare interactions and a sense of being misunderstood or dismissed.Conclusion
Chronic pain, following RYGB, is a multifaceted health condition that can have wide reaching implications on health, wellbeing and quality of life. There needs to be appropriate communication with patients about this risk at the pre-operative stages but also sufficient support if patients report experiencing this post-operatively after an RYGB addressed during the counselling and also at the follow up consultations.REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
22/NI/0125
Date of REC Opinion
26 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion