Eating pathology before and after bariatric surgery: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of the study were (1) to determine the prevalence of eating pathology in patients before bariatric surgery and at follow-up; (2) to assess the relationship of presurgical eating pathology to various measures of psychopathology; and (3) to assess the relationship between presurgical eating pathology and outcome.


METHODS
One hundred sixteen patients were evaluated prior to surgery and at follow-up an average of 5.5 years after surgery.


RESULTS
Preoperative binge eating occurred in 52% of patients, 16% met criteria for binge eating disorder, and 10% had the night eating syndrome. All three forms of presurgical eating pathology were statistically associated with cognitive distortions. At follow-up, 33% of patients were vomiting at least weekly. There was no relationship between presurgical eating pathology and weight outcome or presence of vomiting at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Although postoperative vomiting usually does not represent purge behavior, it may represent failed attempts to binge.
Powers
P S
PS
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa 33613, USA.
Perez
A
A
Boyd
F
F
Rosemurgy
A
A
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology