Preoperative functional health status is a predictor of short-term postoperative morbidity and mortality after bariatric surgery

Background: Functional health status (FHS) is the ability to perform activities of daily living without caregiver assistance.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to determine the impact of impaired preoperative FHS on morbidity and mortality within 30 days of bariatric surgery.

Setting: Academic medical center in the United States.

Methods: The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program 2015 data set was queried for primary minimally invasive bariatric procedures. The demographic characteristics and perioperative details of patients who were functionally independent were compared with patients with impaired FHS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the odds of developing a perioperative complication or death for patients with impaired functional health.

Results: Of patients, 1515 (1.0%) were reported as having impaired FHS and 147,195 patients (99.0%) were independent before surgery. Patients with impaired FHS experienced significantly longer length of hospital stays (2.4 versus 1.8 d; P < .0001), a higher morbidity (adjusted odds ratio 1.5; P <0.0001), and higher mortality (adjusted odds ratio 2.1; P < .0001). Impaired FHS resulted in significantly increased rate of unplanned admissions to the intensive care unit, interventions, reoperations, and readmissions within 30 days of surgery.

Conclusions: Patients with impaired FHS preoperatively have a significantly increased risk of short-term morbidity and mortality after bariatric surgery. The results of this study highlight the importance of establishing quality initiatives focused on improving short-term outcomes for patients with impaired functional health status.