Alcohol sensitivity in women after undergoing bariatric surgery: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG), the most common bariatric surgeries performed worldwide, increase the risk to develop an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This might be due, in part, to surgery-related changes in alcohol pharmacokinetics. Another risk factor, unexplored within this population, is having a reduced subjective response to alcohol’s sedative effects. Objectives To assess whether the Alcohol Sensitivity Questionnaire (ASQ), a simple self-report measure, could pinpoint reduced alcohol sensitivity in the bariatric population. Setting University medical centers in Missouri and Illinois. Methods Women who had RYGB (n=16), SG (n=28), or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgery (LAGB; n=11) within the last five years completed the ASQ for both pre-and post-surgical timeframes, and 45 of them participated in oral alcohol challenge testing post-surgery. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and subjective stimulation and sedation were measured before and for 3.5 hours after drinking. Results In line with faster and higher peak BACs following RYGB and SG than LAGB (P Conclusions Although RYGB/SG dramatically increased sensitivity to alcohol in all participants, meaningful inter-individual differences remained. The ASQ might help identify patients at increased risk to develop an AUD following surgery.