Key result
Gastric bypass procedures surge from 1998 to 2003 alongside a ~56% shorter average hospital stay.
Why the study?
National trends, patient characteristics, and short-term outcomes of gastric bypass procedures from 1998 to 2003 were not well described.
What are the national trends, patient characteristics, and short-term outcomes of gastric bypass procedures for obesity in the US from 1998 to 2003?
Observational (n=288,000)
Yes
What are the national trends, patient characteristics, and short-term outcomes of gastric bypass procedures for obesity in the US from 1998 to 2003?
Gastric bypass procedures rapidly increased in the US from 1998 to 2003, accompanied by a significant decrease in hospital length of stay but a notable 10% in-hospital complication rate.
Complication rates during rapid gastric bypass uptake warrant ongoing surveillance; leaves open need for updated prospective data on long-term outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: This paper describes national trends in gastric bypass procedures from 1998 through 2003 and explores the demographic and health profile of those who receive this procedure. Short-term outcomes such as length of stay and in-hospital complication rates are also examined. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Data on obese hospital inpatients who had gastric bypass were obtained from the 1998 to 2003 National Hospital Discharge Survey. Gastric bypass was reported for an estimated 288,000 discharges during the 6-year study period. Trends within the 6-year period were tested using weighted regression. Characteristics of gastric bypass patients were compared with those of other inpatients using a chi(2) test of independence and the two-sided t test. RESULTS: The estimated number of hospital discharges with gastric bypass increased significantly, from 14,000 in 1998 to 108,000 in 2003. During this period, the average length of stay declined by 56% from 7.2 to 3.2 days. Gastric bypass patients were primarily women (84%), 25 to 54 years of age (82%), and privately insured (76%). A 1 in 10 complication rate was found for discharges with gastric bypass. DISCUSSION: Gastric bypass procedures in the United States have increased rapidly since 1998, whereas the average hospital stay has decreased. The decreasing length of stay needs to be evaluated in conjunction with potential complication rates and the permanent change in anatomy and lifestyle that must accompany this procedure. Monitoring trends in use of this procedure is important, especially if reimbursement policies change and the epidemic of obesity continues.
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Shinogle et al. (2005) conducted an observational in Obesity (n=288,000). Gastric bypass vs. Other inpatients was evaluated on Trends in gastric bypass procedures, length of stay, and in-hospital complication rates. Gastric bypass procedures in the US increased from 14,000 in 1998 to 108,000 in 2003, accompanied by a 56% decrease in average length of stay and a 10% in-hospital complication rate.
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