Prevalence and Factors Associated With Psychiatric Medication Use in Bariatric Surgery Candidates

Objective: We aimed to describe the rates of psychiatric medication use in bariatric surgery candidates and factors associated with psychiatric medication use.

Methods: Patients from the Toronto Western Hospital Bariatric Surgery Program were recruited from 2011 to 2014. Data extracted included demographics, clinical factors (e.g., mood disorder, anxiety disorder, eating disorder, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7), and psychiatric medication use. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between demographic variables, clinical factors, and psychiatric medication use. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to determine the predictors of clinical factors from demographic variables with psychiatric medication use.

Results: A total of 262 (35.1%) patients were taking at least 1 psychiatric medication and 105 patients (14.1%) were taking more than 1 psychiatric medication. Antidepressants were the most common psychiatric medication reported. The majority of patients taking a psychiatric medication had a psychiatric illness, with 16.0% not having a lifetime diagnosis of a mental illness. Being male and being employed significantly predicted lower odds of being on a psychiatric medication. Older age significantly predicted higher odds of being on a psychiatric medication. Psychiatric disorders were significantly associated with psychiatric medication use independent of demographic variables.

Conclusion: Our study provides insights into clinical and demographic factors related to psychiatric medication use in bariatric surgery patients. The findings support careful screening and clarification of psychiatric medications, especially in patients without a formal psychiatric diagnosis.