Obesity status and use of general surgery resources AMERICAN SURGEON Finan, K. R., Leeth, R. R., Ritchie, G., Vickers, S. M., Hawn, M. T. 2005; 71 (11): 963-969

Abstract

Obesity is a rapidly growing epidemic. This study assesses the impact of obesity on surgeon workload for general surgical services. A retrospective study of patients undergoing cholecystectomy, unilateral mastectomy, and colectomy between January 2000 and December 2003 was undertaken. Obesity was defined as body mass index > or = 30. The proportion of obese patients was compared to the 2002 BRFSS obesity prevalence data for Alabama. Data were adjusted to control for potential confounders. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. A total of 1,385 patients were included in analysis. The prevalence of obesity in the study population was 35.5 per cent compared to the statewide prevalence of 25.2 per cent (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.51, 1.98). These data were stratified by procedure, age, and gender. The cholecystectomy group had a significantly higher proportion of obese for all age groups and female gender. The mastectomy group had a higher proportion of obese in the 45-64 age group. The stratified colectomy group did not reach statistical significance. There was no evidence of referral bias to explain these findings. This study demonstrates there is a greater use of general surgery services, particularly cholecystectomy and mastectomy, in obese patients than predicted by the prevalence of obesity in the population.

View details for Web of Science ID 000233398200021

View details for PubMedID 16372616