Long-term chronic joint pain after sleeve gastrectomy and its influence on clinical and psychological outcomes

Bariatric surgery (BS) is effective in improving chronic joint pain (CJP). However, the long-term effects on this comorbidity are poorly understood. To determine the prevalence of CJP in a sample of patients who had undergone BS with a minimum follow-up of 18 months. To determine whether or not there was any relationship between CJP and clinical or psychological outcomes after BS. Cross-sectional study. The Lattinen index (LI) was used to evaluate CJP, using the cut-off point of 10 to define significant CJP (SCJP). Of the 110 subjects assessed, 31.2% (35/110) had SCJP. The patients with SCJP were older (57.4 ± 13 vs 47.8 ± 11.6 years; p < 0.0001) and more time had elapsed since their BS (105.6 ± 54.3 vs 78.5 ± 39 months; p = 0.023). The last BMI was higher in subjects with SCJP (35 ± 5 vs 33.3 ± 6.9 kg/m 2 ; p = 0.05) and the percentage of patients who took significant regular exercise was lower (2.9% vs 68%; p < 0.0001). Trauma problems after BS were more common in subjects with SCJP (61.8% vs 22.7%; p < 0.0001). More patients with SCJP met depression criteria (47.1% vs 5.3%; p < 0.0001) and/or were treated with antidepressants (38.2% vs 17.3%; p = 0.003). Patients with SCJP reported fewer hours of sleep (6 ± 1.4 vs 6.8 ± 1.2 h; p = 0.003). SCJP is highly prevalent in patients who have had BS once they reach the weight plateau phase. There is an association between having SCJP and worse psychological and functional status, with potential detrimental metabolic effects. La cirugía bariátrica (CB) resulta eficaz en la mejoría del dolor crónico articular (DC); sin embargo, sus efectos a largo plazo sobre esta comorbilidad son poco conocidos. Determinar la prevalencia de DC en una muestra de pacientes intervenidos de CB con un seguimiento mínimo de 18 meses. Analizar si existe relación alguna entre el DC y los resultados clínicos o psicológicos tras la CB. Estudio transversal. Se utilizó el índice de Lattinen (IL) para evaluar el DC, utilizando el punto de corte de 10 para definir DC significativo (DCS). De los 110 sujetos evaluados un 31,2% (35/110) presentaban DCS. Los pacientes con DCS eran mayores (57,4 ± 13 vs. 47,8 ± 11,6 años; p < 0,0001) y con un mayor tiempo desde la CB (105,6 ± 54,3 vs. 78,5 ± 39 meses; p = 0,023). El IMC último era superior si existía DCS (35 ± 5 vs. 33,3 ± 6,9 kg/m 2 ; p = 0,05) y el porcentaje de pacientes con ejercicio habitual significativo era inferior (2,9% vs. 68%; p < 0,0001). La presencia de problemas traumatológicos tras CB era mayor en los casos de DCS (61,8% vs. 22,7%; p < 0,0001). Existía un mayor porcentaje de pacientes con DCS con criterios de depresión (47,1% vs. 5,3%; p < 0,0001) y/o tratados con antidepresivos (38,2% vs. 17,3%; p = 0,003). Las horas de sueño referidas eran inferiores con DCS (6±1,4 vs. 6,8 ± 1,2 horas; p = 0,003). La prevalencia de DCS en pacientes sometidos a CB una vez alcanzada la fase meseta del peso es altamente prevalente. Existe una asociación entre la presencia de DCS y un peor estado psicológico y funcional, con un potencial detrimento metabólico.