Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Adolescents Who Underwent Bariatric Surgery: Suicidal Behaviors in Adolescent Patients

Abstract Background Extant literature warns of elevated suicide risks in adults post-bariatric surgery, making understanding risks for adolescent patients imperative. Objectives To examine prevalence and predictors/correlates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) in adolescents with severe obesity who did/did not undergo bariatric surgery from presurgery/baseline to 4 years postsurgery. Setting Five academic medical centers Method Utilizing a prospective observational design, surgical adolescents (n=153; 79% female, 65% White, Mage=17, MBMI=52) and nonsurgical comparators (n=70; 80% female, 54% White, Mage=16, MBMI=47) completed psychometrically sound assessments at presurgery/baseline and postsurgery Years 2 and 4 (Year 4: n=117 surgical [MBMI=38], n=56 nonsurgical [MBMI=48]). Results For the surgical group, rates of STBs were low (Year 2 [1.3-4.6%]; Year 4 [2.6-7.9%], similar to national base rates. Groups did not differ on a Year 4 postsurgical STBs composite (PostSTBs: ideation/plan/attempt; n=18 surgical [16%], n=10 nonsurgical [18%]; OR=0.95,p=0.90). For the surgical group, predictors/correlates identified within the broader suicide literature (e.g., psychopathology [ps Conclusions The current study indicates that undergoing bariatric surgery in adolescence does not heighten (or lower) risk of STB engagement across the initial 4 years postsurgery. Suicide risks present prior to surgery persisted, and also newly emerged in a subgroup with poorer psychosocial health.