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Chronic Abdominal Pain and Symptoms 5 Years After Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity

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Abstract

Introduction

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is widely performed as treatment of morbid obesity. Long-term weight loss, effects on co-morbidities, and quality of life after RYGB have been well addressed. Other long-term outcomes are less elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, symptom characteristics, and possible predictors of chronic abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms during consultations 5 years after RYGB.

Methods

A 5-year follow-up study of patients operated with RYGB 2008–2009 was performed. The patients completed questionnaires regarding chronic abdominal pain, the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), the ROME III questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Pain Catastrophing Scale (PCS), the Brief Pain Inventory, and SF-36. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses of characteristics associated with chronic abdominal pain were performed.

Results

A total of 165/234 (71%) patients met to the follow-up, 160 of these accepted study inclusion. The mean follow-up was 64 (SD 4.2) months. The mean age was 42.5 (SD 8.7) years and 59% were females. The mean total weight loss was 23.9% (SD 11.2). Chronic abdominal pain was reported by 33.8%. Female gender, average strength of bodily pain, and the PCS sum score were associated with chronic abdominal pain. Symptoms of indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome were reported by 48.8% and 29.1%, respectively. Chronic abdominal pain was associated with reduced health related quality of life.

Conclusion

A substantial proportion of patients experienced chronic abdominal pain and symptoms 5 years after RYGB. Abdominal pain should be addressed at follow-up consultations after RYGB.

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Acknowledgements

We deeply appreciate the support from Marianne Sæter and Irene Ruud Johannessen at the Department of Morbid Obesity and Bariatric Surgery, Oslo University Hospital for their assistance in patient recruitment and questionnaire retrieval. We also appreciate the financial support by the Norwegian Gastroenterology Association.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology, Morbid Obesity and Preventive Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    Ingvild K. Høgestøl, Monica Chahal-Kummen, Inger Eribe, Stephen Hewitt, Jon Kristinsson & Tom Mala

  2. Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Ingvild K. Høgestøl, Audun Stubhaug & Stephen Hewitt

  3. Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Research Support Services, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    Cathrine Brunborg

  4. Department of Pain Management and Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    Audun Stubhaug

  5. Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery and Paediatric Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    Tom Mala

Authors
  1. Ingvild K. Høgestøl
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  2. Monica Chahal-Kummen
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  3. Inger Eribe
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  4. Cathrine Brunborg
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  5. Audun Stubhaug
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  6. Stephen Hewitt
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  7. Jon Kristinsson
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Correspondence to Ingvild K. Høgestøl.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Høgestøl, I.K., Chahal-Kummen, M., Eribe, I. et al. Chronic Abdominal Pain and Symptoms 5 Years After Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity. OBES SURG 27, 1438–1445 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-016-2499-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-016-2499-z

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