There is a growing number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery requiring lifelong follow-up. BagEL (Bariatric Patients in Primary Care: Post-operative Nutrition and Lifestyle Management) is a survey to evaluate a newly developed structured disease management program including nutrition and lifestyle management in primary care.
During last decades the prevalence of obesity is growing. Therefore, the number of bariatric procedures are also increasing. Frequent complications after surgery are nutritional deficiencies (e.g. vitamins, minerals, protein) which require mandatory long-term follow-up. So far adequate follow-up programs are only provided in specialized bariatric centers like in the outpatient clinic for obesity at the General Hospital of Vienna. These programs are focusing on prevention and premature identification of deficiencies. Rising numbers of bariatric-surgical procedures pose a challenge for bariatric centres because of the accumulating numbers of bariatric patients requesting follow-up at least once a year. To provide full coverage an appropriate possibility would be to transfer follow up to non-specialised facilities including general practitioners and family doctors using a so called "pass" providing practical treatment recommendations (necessary follow-up appointments, laboratory blood tests, questions regarding nutrition and lifestyle behavior). To our best knowledge such a structured post-bariatric care management program in primary care does not exist by now. The aim of this study is therefore the evaluation of such a pass.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
220
Patients receive the usability questionnaire and a structured nutrition and lifestyle program for post-bariatric follow-up visits. Twice in six months the patients visit their family doctor and hand over the usability questionnaire to evaluate the structured follow-up program for postbariatric patients. Family doctors fill out the questionnaire and returns it to the investigator.
Medical University of Vienna
Vienna, Please Select, Austria
RECRUITINGUsability questionnaire
Usability of the follow-up passes (intervention and control) will be evaluated in primary care. In a pilot study the usability questionnaire was evaluated. The patient hands over the follow-up pass together with the questionnaire at each appointment (twice) at the family doctor. A stamped envelope to return the questionnaire is included. Family doctors will be asked to complete a series of actions regarding the content of the follow-up passes. Each action will be rated in a 5 point likert scale. An average score will be calculated for each question.
Time frame: 6 months
change in fat free mass
A Bioelectric impedance analysis will be used to calculate change in fat free mass. Measurements will be conducted by a device sending weak electric signals through the patients body. The method is non-invasive.
Time frame: 6 months
change in body weight
Patients will be asked to remove shoes, socks, heavy clothing and jewelry for measurement of body weight to the nearest 100 g using a digital scale.
Time frame: 6 months
Measures of adherence after 6 months
Number of patients returning to the outpatient clinic after the intervention.
Time frame: 6 months
Calcium Blood Value
Change in Calcium levels (mg/dL) after 6 months
Time frame: 6 months
Iron Blood Value
Change in Ferritin levels (ng/mL) after 6 months
Time frame: 6 months
Vitamin B12 Blood Value
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Change in B12 levels (pmol/L) after 6 months
Time frame: 6 months
Vitamin D Blood Value
Change in Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy levels (nmol/L) after 6 months
Time frame: 6 months
Folic Acid Blood Value
Change in Folic Acid levels (nmol/L) after 6 months
Time frame: 6 months
HbA1c Blood Value
Change in Hemoglobin A1c (%) after 6 months
Time frame: 6 months