HEALTHCARE USAGE OF BARIATRIC/METABOLIC SURGERY
Research type
Research Study
Full title
LONG TERM HEALTHCARE USAGE OF BARIATRIC/METABOLIC SURGERY COMPARED TO COMMONLY PERFORMED ELECTIVE GENERAL SURGERY PROCEDURES
IRAS ID
266209
Contact name
Francesco Rubino
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
Despite substantial evidence of efficacy and cost-effectiveness, less than 0.2% of suitable candidates - according to both NICE and international criteria - currently undergo surgical treatment of obesity and/or type 2 diabetes (bariatric/metabolic surgery) in the UK. Widespread misperceptions about the relative risks of bariatric surgery may act as a major barrier to access of this type of treatment. Despite substantial evidence of low overall mortality and morbidity, both lay and scientific media often define bariatric surgery as “high-risk”, or “dangerous” or “last resort”. These misperceptions may deter appropriate surgical candidates from seeking surgery, reduce referral by primary care providers, and mislead health policies decisions and coverage of bariatric/metabolic surgery by NHS commissioners as well as private health insurance.
To date, no study has compared the perioperative safety and long-term healthcare utilization of bariatric/metabolic surgery with those of other commonly performed elective surgical procedures.
The aim of this study is to compare short- and long-term safety outcomes and overall healthcare utilization among patients who underwent bariatric surgery and other types of elective surgical interventions for benign diseases at KCH (Adrenal, Antireflux, Bariatric, Gallbladder (inpatients & day surgery), Colorectal, Hernia, Neck surgery). We will retrospectively review data from 100 consecutive patients who underwent bariatric surgery at KCH by one of us (FR) between February 2014 and March 2015 and compare outcomes with those of additional 700 consecutive patients who, before March 2015, had undergone other types of elective surgeries for benign diseases at the same Hospital. We specifically plan to look at long-term rate of re-admissions and related length of stay, emergency department attendances and GP encounters over a period of 5-year from the index surgery. In order to ensure we can accurately capture post-operative healthcare usage, data about nationwide healthcare utilization will be obtained from NHS Digital based on patient individual NHS number.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1944
Date of REC Opinion
17 Dec 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion