In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, weight management programs and metabolic surgery have been deferred to contain the virus. Quarantine and social distancing negatively impact dietary, exercise and psychological health of obese individuals. The study aims to evaluate the impact of social distancing measures on post-metabolic surgery patients compare to non-surgical obese patients and discuss potential strategies for management post COVID-19.
In Singapore, a nationwide partial lockdown, termed the "circuit breaker" was imposed from 7th April until 1st June 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Appendix A). Our study aims to evaluate the impact of social distancing and lockdowns during this circuit breaker period on our patients with obesity, either post-metabolic surgery (MS) or undergoing active medical management (MM), during the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore. Results will help inform and address the challenges in patient care that this pandemic has brought to light, its long-term implications on the management of the bariatric patient and discuss potential strategies for the management of a bariatric patient in a post COVID-19 society. To the knowledge of this paper, this is the first study to compare the impact of COVID on MS and MM patients which will allow understanding of unique stressors faced by MS patients This study adopted a cross-sectional survey design to evaluate the impact of lockdown social distancing measures on obese patients in Singapore. The study conducted either face-to-face questionnaires in the clinic after lockdown for those who were not suitable for video consultation or questionnaires administered via telecommunication channels such as WhatsApp
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
272
Standard Care
Singapore General Hospital
Singapore, Singapore
Weight
1 question asked about participants weight in kg before the lockdown; 1 question asked participants about weight in kg during lockdown
Time frame: June2020-July2020
Blood Sugar Control
Participants were asked 1 question on how well blood sugar was controlled before the lock down. An ordinal scale was used: Very Poor, Poor, Reasonable, Good, Very Good. Participants were asked 1 question on how well blood sugar was controlled during the lock down. An ordinal scale was used: Very Poor, Poor, Reasonable, Good, Very Good.
Time frame: June2020-July 2020
Medical Adherence
Participants were asked how often medication was missed before the lockdown with1 question using an ordinal scale: Never, Once in a while, Sometime, Usually, All the Time. Participants were asked how often medication was missed during the lockdown with1 question using an ordinal scale: Never, Once in a while, Sometime, Usually, All the Time.
Time frame: June 2020-July2020
Stress level
Participants were asked on the level of stress before the lockdown using a Likert scale of 1-10; with 1=not stressful at all; 10= extremely stressful. Participants were asked level of stress were during the lockdown using a Likert scale of 1-10; with 1=not stressful at all; 10= extremely stressful.
Time frame: June 2020-July2020
Physical Activity Level
Participants were asked frequency of exercise before the lockdown on a ordinal scale ranging from less than 1 time a week; Once a week; 2-3 times a week;4-5 times a week; More than 5 times a week. Participants were asked frequency of exercise during the lockdown on a ordinal scale ranging from less than 1 time a week; Once a week; 2-3 times a week;4-5 times a week; More than 5 times a week
Time frame: June2020-July 2020
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