Psychological characteristics of Iranian patients undergoing bariatric surgery during the COVID‑19 pandemic and lockdown

Pandemics are the most well-known to cause mental distress. This study examines the psychological characteristics of Iranian patients undergoing bariatric surgery during the COVID‑19 pandemic and lockdown.

Patients were consecutively recruited during the quarantine among those waiting for bariatric surgery or attending a post-bariatric follow-up phase and were asked to complete the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scales-21 and a self-assessment questionnaire of 22 items assessing the resilience, change in eating behavior, and emotional responses referring to the current epidemic.

59% of the 434 recruited participants reported of being worried about the epidemic, and 63% particularly reported of being worried about their or their relatives’ health. 37% and 56% felt lonelier and more bored, respectively. 66% was hungrier with an increased frequency of snacking (55%) and 39% reported more impulse to eat. Remarkably, 49% felt unable to follow a recommended diet. Logistic regression analysis on post-bariatric patients revealed an association between snacking, hunger, eating impulsivity, and anxiety, stress, and/or depression symptoms.

Epidemics led to incremented psychological distress in patients with a history of current or past obesity, decreased quality of life, and impacting dietary compliance. Targeted psychological support is warranted in times of increased stress for susceptible participants such as pre-and post-bariatric patients.