Abstract
BACKGROUND: Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on rates of early postoperative follow-up after bariatric surgery are poorly understood. Our study characterizes 30-day follow-up after bariatric surgery prior to COVID-19 (years 2015-2019) and during the pandemic of COVID-19 (year 2020) and evaluates general predictive factors of short-term follow-up. METHODS: Data was extracted from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) data registry from 2015 to 2020. Cohorts were divided into pre-pandemic and pandemic years and patients with and without 30-day follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify general factors independently predictive of 30-day follow-up. The primary aim was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on short-term 30-day follow-up adherence. A secondary outcome was to characterize general short-term postoperative 30-day follow-up associated with elective bariatric surgery and identify independent predictors of 30-day follow-up among bariatric surgery patients using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 834,646 patients were identified. Follow-up rates significantly increased in the COVID era in 2020 (p < 0.0001). Patients who achieved 30-day follow-up were older and had an increased burden of medical comorbidities, including non-insulin and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, as well as increased BMI compared to patients lacking follow-up. The cohort with successful 30-day follow-up was more likely to receive gastric bypass and had increased rates of metabolic comorbidities. After adjusting for comorbidities, the greatest independent predictors of follow-up were the 2020 COVID-19 era year, Asian race, black race, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for comorbidities, the 2020 COVID-19 era year was one of the greatest predictors of follow-up after bariatric surgery. Postoperative follow-up rates after elective bariatric surgery are excellent at > 95% and increased during the 2020 COVID-19 era year. Several independent predictors of follow-up were identified which may help in development of strategies aimed to mitigate lack of postoperative follow-up.