Reporting of weight loss outcomes in bariatric surgery following introduction of 2015 ASMBS guidelines

Shahwan, S., Oochit, K., Campbell, E. and Kourounis, G. (2022) Reporting of weight loss outcomes in bariatric surgery following introduction of 2015 ASMBS guidelines. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 18(10), pp. 1195-1198. (doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2022.06.296) (PMID:35927167)

Abstract

Background: Heterogeneity in reporting weight loss (WL) outcomes within the bariatric surgery literature significantly limits synthesis and meta-analysis. In 2015, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) published reporting guidelines to achieve consistency in the literature. Objective: We aimed to assess the effect of the ASMBS guidelines in the bariatric surgery literature. Methods: Nine PubMed indexed bariatric surgery journals were screened for articles published in the first six months of 2015 and 2021. Of 1807 articles, 105 and 158 articles in 2015 and 2021 respectively reported primarily on WL outcomes following bariatric surgery. Results: Overall ASMBS compliance increased from 5% to 20%, p<0.05. Initial weight and BMI were reported in all studies but specification of this as the immediate preoperative weight reduced from 15% to 6%, p<0.05. Percent Total WL (%TWL) increased from 17% to 61%, p<0.05. Change in BMI (ΔBMI) stayed 41%. Percent BMI or Excess WL (%EBMIL or %EWL) did not significantly change from 76% to 69%, p=0.203. In 2021. Two of the nine included journals gave guidance on reporting WL in their instructions to authors. 30% (n=42/142) of articles did not comply with the journals’ WL reporting guidance. The number of total unique WL outcomes used increased from 45 to 54. Conclusions: Significant heterogeneity in reporting WL outcomes remains, hindering robust meta-analysis of published articles. Use of referral weight instead of preoperative weight can inflate WL in those with mandated preoperative WL, clarifying initial weight is needed. Use of non-standard measures of WL remains high.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kourounis, Dr Georgios
• Authors: Shahwan, S., Oochit, K., Campbell, E., and Kourounis, G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1550-7289
• ISSN (Online): 1550-7289
• Published Online: 01 July 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc.
• First Published: First published in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases 18(10): 1195-1198
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License