Psychosocial Predictors of Cognition in Bariatric Surgery

Mario Moscovici; Susan Wnuk; Allan Okrainec; Raed Hawa; Sanjeev Sockalingam

doi:10.1016/j.psym.2018.06.010

Psychosocial Predictors of Cognition in Bariatric Surgery

Psychosomatics. 2019 Mar-Apr;60(2):164-171. doi: 10.1016/j.psym.2018.06.010. Epub 2018 Jun 30.

Authors

Mario Moscovici¹, Susan Wnuk², Allan Okrainec³, Raed Hawa², Sanjeev Sockalingam⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, 8th floor, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 1R8. Electronic address: mario.moscovici@mail.utoronto.ca.
² Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, 8th floor, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 1R8; Bariatric Surgery Program, Toronto Western Hospital (University Health Network), 399 Bathurst Street, 4th Floor, East Wing - Room 460, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 2S8.
³ Bariatric Surgery Program, Toronto Western Hospital (University Health Network), 399 Bathurst Street, 4th Floor, East Wing - Room 460, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 2S8; Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital (University Health Network), 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 2S8.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, 8th floor, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 1R8; Bariatric Surgery Program, Toronto Western Hospital (University Health Network), 399 Bathurst Street, 4th Floor, East Wing - Room 460, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 2S8. Electronic address: sanjeev.sockalingam@camh.ca.

PMID: 30143325
DOI: 10.1016/j.psym.2018.06.010

Abstract

Background: Obesity affects individuals worldwide and is currently the 5^th leading cause of death according to the WHO. Bariatric surgery is an effective strategy that produces durable long-term weight loss. There is a bidirectional interplay between mental health and obesity; with higher depression and anxiety in the obese population as well as significant effects on weight loss for people with mental health disorders.

Objective: Our cross-sectional study aimed to examine psychosocial predictors of cognition for the pre-operative bariatric surgery population and its effect on work productivity.

Methods: Demographic data, perceived cognitive deficits (PDQ-5), depression scale (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), Quality of life (SF36) and work impairment (LEAPS) was collected from 302 pre-operative bariatric surgery candidates at their initial assessment. Multiple regression was conducted with perceived cognitive deficits as the dependent variable. A secondary analysis was done controlling for anxiety and depression.

Results: Variables that were significantly associated with perceived cognition were anxiety, depression, work productivity and overall mental health quality of life. Perceived cognition was also significantly associated with work impairment independent of mood symptoms.

Discussion: Anxiety and depression are prevalent in the pre-operative bariatric surgery population, significantly affecting cognition, and should be routinely screened. Work performance was also affected by cognition in our population but the link between obesity and cognition needs to be further explored.

Conclusions: We identified a significant association between perceived cognition and psychosocial factors in pre-operative bariatric surgery candidates. Further studies will be needed to better explore obesity and its impact on cognition.

Keywords: cognition; consultation-liaison psychiatry; employment; mental health; obesity.

MeSH terms

Adult
Anxiety / psychology*
Bariatric Surgery*
Cognition*
Cognitive Dysfunction / psychology*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression / psychology*
Educational Status
Efficiency*
Employment
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Obesity / psychology*
Obesity / surgery
Patient Health Questionnaire
Preoperative Period
Psychology
Quality of Life / psychology*