Binge-eating disorder and the outcome of bariatric surgery in a prospective, observational study: Two-year results.

Ariana M Chao, Thomas A Wadden, Lucy F Faulconbridge, David B Sarwer, Victoria L Webb, Jena A Shaw, J Graham Thomas, Christina M Hopkins, Zayna M Bakizada, Naji Alamuddin, Noel N Williams

Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) 2017;24(11):2327-2333

PMID: 27616677

Plain Language Summary

plain language summary logo

Binge eating disorder is characterised by the consumption of an objectively large amount of food in a discrete period of time (i.e. 2hrs) with an accompanying loss of control over eating. This study is a follow-up study that examined weight loss over an average of 24 months post bariatric surgery (as most studies are based on a shorter duration i.e. less than 12 months) in 59 patients. Another aim of the study was whether bariatric surgery had any effects on the remission or precipitation of binge eating. Results indicate that patients with a preoperative diagnosis of binge-eating disorder lost significantly less weight 2 years after surgery than those individuals who were free from binge-eating prior surgery. However, those with a diagnosis of binge-eating disorder who received lifestyle modifications lost significantly less than those who had bariatric surgery. Authors conclude that bariatric-surgery may be a useful long-term weight loss strategy for patients with eating disorders. However, they also recommend that these patients may benefit from additional counselling and behavioural support, such as cognitive behaviour therapy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

A previous study reported that preoperative binge-eating disorder (BED) did not attenuate weight loss at 12 months after bariatric surgery. This report extends the authors' prior study by examining weight loss at 24 months.

METHODS

A modified intention-to-treat population was used to compare 24-month changes in weight among 59 participants treated with bariatric surgery, determined preoperatively to be free of a current eating disorder, with changes in 33 surgically treated participants with BED. Changes were also compared with 49 individuals with obesity and BED who sought lifestyle modification for weight loss. Analyses included all available data points and were adjusted for covariates.

RESULTS

At month 24, surgically treated patients with BED preoperatively lost 18.6% of initial weight, compared with 23.9% for those without BED (P = 0.049). (Mean losses at month 12 had been 21.5% and 24.2%, respectively; P = 0.23.) Participants with BED who received lifestyle modification lost 5.6% at 24 months, significantly less than both groups of surgically treated patients (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that preoperative BED attenuates long-term weight loss after bariatric surgery. We recommend that patients with this condition, as well as other eating disturbances, receive adjunctive behavioral support, the timing of which remains to be determined.

© 2016 The Obesity Society.

Address: University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.; Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.; Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. [email protected].; Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.; Temple College of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.; Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.; Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.; Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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