Evaluation of the social demographic and clinical profile of patients candidate for bariatric surgery

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients who are candidates for bariatric surgery. Method: a descriptive and cross-sectional study, carried out with candidates to the bariatric surgery process in a hospital in Recife, Pernambuco, through individual interviews. The sample consisted of 120 individuals. Descriptive statistics was applied for data analysis. Results: the profile found was made up of female patients (78.3%), white (56.7%), single (50.0%), with a mean age of 35.8 years and a weight of 126, 6 kg. The use of weight loss medications before surgery occurred in 79.2% of the participants and the use of a diet for weight control in 98.3%. At least one comorbidity was observed in 89.1% of the patients, the main ones being hepatic steatosis, low back pain and arterial hypertension. Conclusion: most patients had risk factors for obesity and sought surgery for health reasons, after trying non-surgical methods.