TY - JOUR PY - 2010// TI - Prevalence and psychosocial correlates of self-reported past suicide attempts among bariatric surgery candidates JO - Surgery for obesity and related diseases A1 - Windover, Amy K. A1 - Merrell, Julie A1 - Ashton, Kathleen A1 - Heinberg, Leslie J. SP - 702 EP - 706 VL - 6 IS - 6 N2 - BACKGROUND: Although research has been limited, suicidal behavior has commonly been identified as a contraindication for bariatric surgery. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of past suicide attempts in a bariatric surgery population at an academic medical center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review, including the demographic and psychosocial variables, was conducted of 1020 consecutive bariatric surgery candidates presenting during a 32-month period. RESULTS: Of the 1020 patients, 115 (11.2%) self-reported ≥1 previous suicide attempt. The patients with a positive suicide history were significantly younger (mean 42.9 ± 11.0 years), less educated (mean 13.4 ± 2.4 years), had a greater body mass index (mean 52.3 ± 11.6 kg/m(2)), and were more predominantly single (32.2% versus 20.9%), female (90.4% versus 74.8%), and receiving disability (45.2% versus 21.8%) compared with patients without a suicide history. A positive suicide history was also significantly associated with a history of psychiatric hospitalization, outpatient psychotherapy and/or psychotropic medication, sexual abuse, and substance abuse. CONCLUSION: Assessing suicide history is an important aspect of the bariatric preoperative assessment. Additional research is needed to evaluate the effects of suicide history on the postoperative outcomes and adherence.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1550-7289 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2010.08.014 ID - ref1 ER -