Bariatric Surgery Might Increase Risk for Suicide and Nonfatal Self-Harm

Bariatric surgery attenuates adverse cardiovascular events, complications of diabetes, and early mortality, but some studies have shown excess suicides and nonfatal self-harm among patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. A new analysis of data from two Swedish cohorts supports these concerns. In one study, in which candidates were recruited for bariatric surgery between 1987 and 2001, researchers compared risk for suicide or nonfatal self-harm in about 2000 patients who elected surgery (68% vertical-banded gastroplasty, 19% gastric banding, 13% gastric bypass) with risk in 2000 matched controls who declined surgery and received routine care. Researchers also used a registry, which includes data on nearly all bariatric procedures perf…