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Prevalence of preoperative alcohol abuse among patients seeking weight-loss surgery

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An Erratum to this article was published on 18 December 2012

Abstract

Background

It has been hypothesized that alcohol metabolism is altered after weight-loss surgery (WLS), with a few studies suggesting a high prevalence of postoperative problem drinking. However, many of these studies were methodologically limited by lack of preoperative alcohol use data, high loss to follow-up, and/or nonsystematic ascertainment of alcohol (ETOH) intake. We sought to systematically characterize ETOH use among WLS patients before surgery.

Methods

We recruited patients seeking WLS from May 2008 through November 2010 from two bariatric centers in Boston (response rate 75 %). Alcohol intake and problem-drinking behavior was systematically assessed in detail via phone interview among 653 obese patients before WLS. We used multivariable models to characterize alcohol drinking patterns and to examine the relationship between problem drinking and the likelihood of proceeding with WLS.

Results

At baseline, 29 % were nondrinkers, 55 % were social drinkers, and 16 % were problem drinkers, including 4 % who displayed alcohol abuse behavior. After adjustment, men and younger adults were significantly more likely to be high-risk drinkers. Problem drinkers were as likely as social drinkers to proceed with WLS.

Conclusion

Results from this large representative study suggest a high prevalence of high-risk alcohol use behavior among patients seeking WLS. Detailed assessment of alcohol use may be warranted in clinical settings and in studies of alcohol use and WLS.

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Acknowledgments

The study was funded by a grant (to PIW) from the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases (R01 DK073302).

Disclosures

O. Y. Kudsi, K. Huskey, S. Grove, G. Blackburn, D. B. Jones, and C. C. Wee have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Omar Yusef Kudsi & Daniel B. Jones

  2. Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Karen Huskey, Shannon Grove & Christina C. Wee

  3. Center for the Study of Nutrition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    George Blackburn

  4. Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Christina C. Wee

Authors
  1. Omar Yusef Kudsi
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  2. Karen Huskey
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  3. Shannon Grove
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  4. George Blackburn
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  5. Daniel B. Jones
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  6. Christina C. Wee
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Omar Yusef Kudsi.

Appendix: Alcohol Questionnaire

Appendix: Alcohol Questionnaire

Now I am going to ask you some questions about your use of alcoholic beverages during the past year.

E1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol, 4 or more times a week, 2–3 times a week, 2–4 times a month, once a month or less, or never?

  • [ ] 4 OR MORE TIMES A WEEK

  • [ ] 2 TO 3 TIMES A WEEK

  • [ ] 2 TO 4 TIMES A MONTH

  • [ ] MONTHLY OR LESS

  • [ ] NEVER (SKIP TO E9)

E2. On an average day when you are drinking, about how many drinks containing alcohol do you have, 1 or 2, 3 or 4, 5 or 6, 7 to 9, or 10 or more?

  • [ ] 1–2

  • [ ] 3–4

  • [ ] 5–6

  • [ ] 7–9

  • [ ] 10 or more

E3. In the past month, how often did you have 5 or more drinks on one occasion?

  • [ ] Never

  • [ ] Once

  • [ ] 2–5 times

  • [ ] 6 or more times

INT CHECK: IF E2 = 1 OR 2 AND E3 = NEVER SKIP TO E9

E4. In the past month, how often have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?

  • [ ] Never

  • [ ] Once

  • [ ] 2–5 times

  • [ ] 6 or more times

E5. In the past month, how often have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of drinking?

  • [ ] Never

  • [ ] Once

  • [ ] 2–5 times

  • [ ] 6 or more times

E6. In the past month, how often have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?

  • [ ] Never

  • [ ] Once

  • [ ] 2–5 times

  • [ ] 6 or more times

E7. In the past month, how often have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?

  • [ ] Never

  • [ ] Once

  • [ ] 2–5 times

  • [ ] 6 or more times

E8. In the past month, how often have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?

  • [ ] Never

  • [ ] Once

  • [ ] 2–5 times

  • [ ] 6 or more times

E8a. Would you say that in the past month you drank

  • [ ] More than usual

  • [ ] About the same, or

  • [ ] Less than usual?

E9. Have you or someone else ever been injured as a result of your drinking?

  • [ ] YES

  • [ ] NO (SKIP TO E10)

E9a. Did that happen in the past year?

  • [ ] YES

  • [ ] NO

E10. Has a relative, friend, doctor, or another health worker been concerned about your drinking alcohol or suggested you cut down?

  • [ ] YES

  • [ ] NO (SKIP TO SECTION F)

E10a. Did that happen in the past year?

  • [ ] YES

  • [ ] NO

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Kudsi, O.Y., Huskey, K., Grove, S. et al. Prevalence of preoperative alcohol abuse among patients seeking weight-loss surgery. Surg Endosc 27, 1093–1097 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-012-2568-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-012-2568-x

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