Prevalence of All-Cause Mortality and Suicide among Bariatric Surgery Cohorts: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Prior meta-analysis has reported mortality rates among post-operative bariatric patients, but they have not considered psychiatric factors like suicide contributing to mortality. Objectives: The current meta-analysis aims to determine the pooled prevalence for mortality and suicide amongst cohorts using reported suicides post bariatric surgery. It is also the aim of the current meta-analytical study to determine moderators that could account for the heterogeneity found. Results: In our study, the pooled prevalence of mortality in the studies which reported suicidal mortality was 1.8% and the prevalence of suicide was 0.3%. Mean body mass index (BMI) and the duration of follow-up appear to be significant moderators. Conclusions: Given the prevalence of suicide post bariatric surgery, it is highly important for bariatric teams to consider both the medical and psychiatric well-being of individuals pre- and post-operatively.