More-obese bariatric-surgery candidates have higher rates of psychiatric illness.
Complications after bariatric surgery are not uncommon. About 20% of patients either fail to lose weight or completely regain their lost weight, and binge-eating disorder and other psychiatric problems have been implicated as potential risk factors for poor outcomes. These researchers assessed psychopathology in 288 patients seeking bariatric surgery; assessments were independent of the preoperative evaluations required by many bariatric-surgery programs.
Lifetime histories of at least one axis I disorder were identified in 66% of assessed patients, most commonly mood (46%), anxiety (38%), and substance-use (33%) disorders. Current axis I disorders were found in 38%, predominantly anxiety (24%) and mood (16%) disorders. Only 2% had a current…