A study on correlation between bulimia and binge eating habits and weight loss outcomes in patients with one-anastomosis gastric bypass

Background: The Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh (BITE) self-report questionnaire is used to assess the risk of bulimic and binge eating habits in patients undergoing metabolic bariatric surgery preoperatively. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between preoperative BITE scores and postoperative weight loss in patients with One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB). Method: Consecutive patients between 2016 and 2018 completed the BITE questionnaire at the initial assessment and were included in this retrospective study. Baseline demographics were measured. Excess body weight loss (%EBWL) and total weight loss (%TWL) were calculated preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of follow-up. Results: A total of 120 patients (female = 87) were eligible, with an average age of 43 (±10.84) years. The mean preoperative body mass index was 46.82 ± 7.35 kg/m 2 . Around 21.67% ( n = 26) had high BITE scores (≥20), 44.17% ( n = 53) had medium BITE scores (10–19), and 34.17% ( n = 41) had low BITE scores (≤9). The low and medium BITE groups had comparable outcomes at each follow-up. The low BITE group had a greater %EBWL compared to the high BITE group across all the follow-ups (51.6%, 63.5%, 71.5%, 75.8%, and 80.6% vs. 41.6%, 60.1%, 67.5%, 71.6%, and 74.1%, respectively); however, this difference was not significant. %TWL showed a similar comparison. There were no reoperations or mortality. Conclusion: OAGB results in satisfactory weight loss at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively, independent of BITE scores. OAGB can be a safe and effective operation in patients with eating disorders and high BITE scores if appropriately counseled preoperatively. Further research into the effect of preoperative psychological input on weight outcomes and comparative studies with different bariatric operations is recommended.