Background

Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) was created to identify at-risk census areas that would benefit from increased emergency services; however, it has since been adopted as a method to understand each patient's potential struggles within the literature. We sought to investigate bariatrics patients' postoperative outcomes in regards to their SVI to identify those who might benefit from increased support.

Methods

An institutional database was created by retrospectively reviewing patients undergoing elective minimally invasive bariatric procedures from 2020-2021. Demographics reviewed included age, gender, diabetic status, and pre-op body mass index (BMI, kg/m2). SVI was derived from the patient's address at time of surgery; out-of-state addresses excluded. Follow-up at six months and one year, utilization of emergency department (ED) visits, infusion therapy and complication rates were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed with t-test; a p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

A total of 305 patients met inclusion criteria; 261 (85.6%) were female with an average age of 40.8 (95% CI=39.4-42.2). There was no significant difference in SVI for compliance with follow-up at six months (p=0.5) or one year (p=0.33). Patients who visited the ED did not have a significantly higher SVI (p=0.59) however, patients who required infusion therapy had a statistically higher SVI (0.71 vs 0.88, p=0.03).

Conclusions

Patients with a higher SVI more often require additional services postoperatively and may benefit from increased social support to improve outcomes following bariatric surgery.