Attrition Rates Among African American Patients with Obesity Seeking Bariatric Surgery: a High-Volume Single Center Analysis

Despite the greater prevalence of obesity, African American (AA) adults represent a minority of bariatric surgery patients. The aim of this study was to determine variables associated with attrition among AA patients seeking bariatric surgery. We performed a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of AA patients with obesity referred for surgery and who initiated the preoperative work-up as per insurance requirements. The sample was then divided between those undergoing surgery and those who did not receive surgery. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that male patients (OR 0.53 95% CI 0.28-0.98) and those with public insurance (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.37 – 0.83) were significantly less likely to undergo surgery. The use of telehealth was strongly associated with receiving surgery (OR 3.53, 95% CI 2.36 - 5.29). Our results might help developing targeted strategies to reduce attrition rates among AA patients with obesity seeking bariatric surgery.