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The Role of Cognitive Function in Postoperative Weight Loss Outcomes: 36-Month Follow-Up

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Abstract

Background

Cognitive dysfunction is associated with reduced postoperative weight loss up to 2 years following surgery, though the role of cognition at more extended follow-up is not yet understood. Thirty-six months following bariatric surgery, we retrospectively compared obese and non-obese patients on 12-week postoperative cognitive performance. We hypothesized that early postoperative cognitive dysfunction would predict higher body mass index (BMI) and lower percent weight loss (%WL) in the total sample at 36 month follow-up.

Materials and Methods

Fifty-five individuals undergoing bariatric surgery completed cognitive testing at preoperative baseline and serial postoperative timepoints, including 12 weeks and 36 months. Cognitive test scores were normed for demographic variables. Percent weight loss (%WL) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated at 36-month follow-up.

Results

Adjusting for gender, baseline cognitive function, and 12-week %WL, 12-week global cognitive test performance predicted 36 month postoperative %WL and BMI. Partial correlations revealed recognition memory, working memory, and generativity were most strongly related to weight loss.

Conclusion

Cognitive function shortly after bariatric surgery is closely linked to extended postoperative weight loss at 36 months. Further work is necessary to clarify mechanisms underlying the relationship between weight loss, durability, and cognitive function, including contribution of adherence, as this may ultimately help identify individuals in need of tailored interventions to optimize postoperative weight loss.

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Acknowledgments

Data collection supported by DK075119. Manuscript supported in part by HL089311. The authors acknowledge the use of LABS data as the sole contribution of the LABS consortium.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA

    Mary Beth Spitznagel, Michael Alosco, Rachel Galioto & John Gunstad

  2. Summa Health System, Akron, OH, USA

    Mary Beth Spitznagel & John Gunstad

  3. Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA

    Gladys Strain

  4. Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA

    Michael Devlin & Robyn Sysko

  5. Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, ND, USA

    Ross D. Crosby & James E. Mitchell

  6. University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, ND, USA

    Ross D. Crosby & James E. Mitchell

  7. Department of Psychology, Kent State University, 329 Kent Hall Addition, Kent, OH, 44242, USA

    Mary Beth Spitznagel

Authors
  1. Mary Beth Spitznagel
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  2. Michael Alosco
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  3. Rachel Galioto
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  4. Gladys Strain
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  5. Michael Devlin
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  6. Robyn Sysko
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  7. Ross D. Crosby
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  8. James E. Mitchell
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  9. John Gunstad
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mary Beth Spitznagel.

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Spitznagel, M.B., Alosco, M., Galioto, R. et al. The Role of Cognitive Function in Postoperative Weight Loss Outcomes: 36-Month Follow-Up. OBES SURG 24, 1078–1084 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-014-1205-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-014-1205-2

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