Sociodemographic trends in bariatric surgery utilization in the USA

Although bariatric surgery has become more accessible in recent years, it is unclear whether populations disproportionately affected by obesity are utilizing this treatment. A cross-sectional analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample was performed. The sociodemographic characteristics (race, sex, age, insurance, median income), co-morbidities, and weight loss surgery type were analyzed. Bariatric surgeries increased six-fold from 17,678 in 1998 to 112,882 in 2004 (p < 0.001). Thereafter, bariatric surgeries declined to 93,733 in 2007 (p = 0.24). The proportion of individuals of Other race undergoing bariatric surgery significantly increased, while the proportion of Whites significantly decreased over time. The proportion of individuals in the lowest income quartile (< $25,000) increased, while those in the highest income percentile (> $45,000) decreased. From 1998 to 2007, the sociodemographic characteristics of the bariatric surgery population have changed, although those that are disproportionately affected by morbid obesity continue to be underrepresented.