Background

Age and vascular complications, including elevated body mass index (BMI), are known risk factors for cognitive impairment. Obtaining a cognitive baseline is commonplace in other pre-surgical protocols. Currently, routine evaluations for bariatric surgery candidates do not include neuropsychological assessment. The primary focus of this study was to examine potential differences in cognitive screening scores for pre-surgical, bariatric patients as it related to age.

Methods

Data was collected from a retrospective, archival dataset which consisted of 59 male and 265 female bariatric patients, with a mean age of 46 (SD=11.9). The average weight was 289 pounds (SD=58) and BMI of 47.9k/m2 (SD=8.6).

Results

A multilinear regression model was conducted F(3, 199= 3.8, p = .01) and age was found to be predictive of MoCA total scores, B =-.05, p < .01, suggesting that as age increased, MoCA scores decreased. For example, participants 47 and younger had MoCA scores of 24 (sensitivity= .93; specificity= .91) compared to a MoCA score of 22 (sensitivity= .93; specificity= .89) for those 48 and older. Results from independent samples t-tests found significant differences between MoCA total, abstraction, recall, and orientation scores. No significant differences detected between MoCA visuo-executive, naming, attention, and language scores or on self-report measures of depression, anxiety, or cognitive dysfunction.

Conclusions

These insights provide pre-surgical evaluators with additional information to tailor recommendations and treatment approaches that foster surgical success. These findings support the utility of cognitive screening to help identify pre-surgical eligibility and improve treatment recommendations.