Medication use patterns after gastric bypass surgery for weight management

Abstract

Background: Bariatric surgery, commonly gastric bypass, is an effective intervention in achieving sustained weight loss in patients with a body mass index (BMI) >40 kg/m(2). Currently, there are few data in the literature describing medication use after bariatric surgery.

Objective: To document the change in medication use patterns over a 2-year period in patients who had gastric bypass surgery.

Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained for this ongoing, prospective longitudinal study. Adults (>18 y) scheduled for gastric bypass surgery were recruited. Clinical and demographic data, including age, gender, weight, height, BMI, number of obesity-related comorbidities, and number of medications and nutritional supplements, were obtained by medical chart review.

Results: One hundred fourteen patients (87 females) were recruited. The mean +/- SD age was 45 +/- 9 years. Patients had multiple obesity-related comorbid diseases for which they were receiving medication. Drug therapy for diabetes and hypertension was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). All patients were required to take additional nutritional supplements and medications associated with surgery postoperatively.

Conclusions: Bariatric surgery has a positive benefit in terms of reduction intake of medication associated with obesity-related comorbid disease. However, there is limited reduction in the overall number of drugs and supplements being consumed by the patient, especially during the first year postoperatively.