Global Variations in Practices after Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery; the PARTNER Study

Area of Science:

• Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery
• Global Health
• Clinical Practice Guidelines

Background:

• Obesity affects over 1 billion people globally, making it a leading cause of death.
• Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is a key intervention for severe obesity and related diseases.
• Postoperative care following MBS shows significant international variability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate global clinical practices in postoperative management after MBS.
• To survey multidisciplinary healthcare professionals' approaches to MBS follow-up care.

Main Methods:

• An international online survey was conducted from October 2024 to January 2025.
• A questionnaire assessed follow-up care, postoperative treatment, dietary management, patient support, and outcome measurement.
• Responses from 262 healthcare professionals across 62 countries were analyzed descriptively.

Main Results:

• Most respondents (78.7%) provided 3-month follow-up, but only 23.7% offered indefinite care.
• Dietary advice (98.1%) and micronutrient supplementation were common; psychological referrals were less frequent (56.1%).
• Significant variation exists in defining surgical success and measuring outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The PARTNER study highlights substantial international disparities in postoperative MBS care.
• There is a critical need for standardized, evidence-based guidelines to enhance long-term outcomes and ensure equitable care globally.