IBC Oxford University Poster Abstract 14 - The waist-to-hip ratio in bariatric surgery—does a higher ratio mean higher risk?

Abstract Background Obesity is rapidly emerging as a significant epidemic in developing countries. Although promising therapeutics are in development, bariatric surgery remains the most effective treatment. To better characterize this disease, waist and hip circumference measurements, and waist-to-hip ratio were developed. These measures provide valuable insights into body fat distribution and its associated health risks, enabling more accurate assessments and targeted interventions. Methods A retrospective review of 858 patients submitted to bariatric surgery between 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2023 and comprising waist-to-hip ratio data, was performed. The study’s primary objective was to analyze the correlation between a higher waist-to-hip ratio and perioperative and postoperative complications, as well as surgery duration and conversion rates. Other variables proven to be significantly related to a higher waist-to-hip ratio, namely patients’ comorbidities such as arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) were also included. Results There was no significant correlation between waist-to-hip ratio and post-operative complications (M = 0.95; SD = 0.10 versus M = 0.94; SD = 0.09; P = 0.07), neither surgery duration (r = 0.043, P = 0.223), nor conversion rates (due to sample size, n = 0). As a secondary outcome, there was a higher proportion of individuals with diabetes, dyslipidaemia, and OSA among those who had complications and, after adjustment, diabetes remained associated with higher complications (OR = 1.70, 95% c.i. [1.01, 2.87]). Conclusions Although there was no significant correlation between a higher waist-to-hip ratio and surgical complications, it was possible to establish a significant relationship between secondary variables, namely the presence of diabetes, and a greater risk of surgical complications. By understanding these relationships, healthcare providers can better identify at-risk patients and tailor surgical approaches to minimize complications and optimize outcomes aiming to enhance patient safety and surgical success.