Increased Admission for Alcohol Dependence After Gastric Bypass Surgery Compared With Restrictive Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

Patients who had undergone GBS had more than double the risk of inpatient care for alcohol abuse postoperatively compared with patients undergoing a restrictive procedure, highlighting a need for healthcare professionals to be aware of this for early detection and treatment.

Change in consumption patterns for treatment-seeking patients with alcohol use disorder post-bariatric surgery

“…RYGB surgery is considered a safe procedure [6] that offers significant sustained weight loss with subsequent reduction in comorbid medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus [7], hyperlipidemia, hypertension [8], obstructive sleep apnea [9], cancer in obese women [10]; and improvement in quality of life [11]. However, recent controversial reports of an increased risk of alcoholism following successful RYGB have emerged [12,13].…”

“…Baseline AUD in year 1 did not show statistically significant differences in frequency (7.6% vs. 7.3%; p = 0.98); however, a significant increase in the prevalence of AUD was observed between the first and second years after surgery (7.3% vs. 9.6%, p = 0.01); with greater likelihood AUD increase post-surgery independently related to RYGB, but not to restrictive procedures. A large-scale study from Sweden [13] documented that patients who have undergone RYGB surgery have a twofold-increased risk of inpatient care for alcohol abuse than those who have undergone restrictive bariatric surgery. Kalarchian et al used a structured clinical interview (n = 207) to diagnose AUD.…”

Alcohol Consumption in Obese Patients Before and After Gastric Bypass as Assessed with the Alcohol Marker Phosphatidylethanol (PEth)

“…RYGB has been reported to cause more rapid and enhanced absorption of alcohol resulting in a faster rise and higher peak blood alcohol concentrations [6][7][8]. In a retrospective population-based cohort study, Östlund et al found that gastric bypass patients postoperatively used more inpatient care for alcohol-related disease compared with patients operated with gastric band or vertical banded gastroplasty [9]. In another prospective cohort study of RYGB patients, the presence of alcohol use disorders increased in the second postoperative year compared to the year prior to surgery [10].…”

Changes in Reward after Gastric Bypass: the Advantages and Disadvantages

“…There is strong evidence to suggest that alcohol addiction may be a significant potential complication after gastric bypass surgery in some patients [ 51 ]. King's and other studies have shown increased alcohol and other drug misuse and dependency in obese bariatric surgery patients [ 51 , 52 ], particularly after gastric bypass surgery [ 53 ].…”