Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Among Post-bariatric Surgery Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction Depression and anxiety are common mental health disorders that can significantly affect quality of life, particularly in patients following bariatric surgery. These psychological conditions are frequently observed after surgery and can have adverse consequences on recovery and health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression in post-bariatric surgery patients and to explore the relationship between bariatric surgery and the development of depressive and/or anxiety symptoms. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients who underwent bariatric surgery between June 1, 2019, and December 30, 2021, at King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Buraidah, Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Data collection occurred in two phases. Initially, medical records were reviewed to identify eligible patients, whose contact information was then entered into a digital database. Data collectors contacted patients via phone to obtain demographic details, chronic medical conditions, mental health history, BMI, surgical method, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed using the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scales, respectively. Results The study included 182 post-bariatric surgery patients. The prevalence of depression was 3.8%. While 67.6% of participants reported no anxiety, a significant portion experienced anxiety at varying levels (20.9% mild, 6.6% moderate, and 4.9% severe). Depression was associated with younger age, single marital status, lower income, and smoking. Anxiety was linked to smoking, snoring, surgical complications, mental health history, recent stressors, and coexisting depression. Depression was more prevalent six months to two years post-surgery. Conclusion Psychological distress, particularly anxiety, is common among post-bariatric surgery patients. Routine psychiatric evaluation, both pre- and post-surgery, is recommended to prevent potential complications and improve patient outcomes.