Incidence and presentation of COVID-19 in the vaccinated and unvaccinated patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to describe the incidence and clinical presentation of fully vaccinated and unvaccinated patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in the first year after Madina Women's Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt, resumed bariatric surgery procedures. (The clinic was closed between March 2020 and reopened in mid-October 2020).

METHODS

This prospective cohort study was conducted between November 2020 till the end of December 2021. We identified patients undergoing bariatric surgery infected with COVID-19 with and without vaccination. COVID-19 severity was assessed based on the Egypt Ministry of Health guidelines. Some patients were isolated at home, whereas others were hospitalised.

RESULTS

During the one year after the restart of bariatric surgery procedures, 606 patients underwent bariatric procedures (n = 280 fully vaccinated, n = 320 unvaccinated). During follow-up, that period, the incidence of COVID-19 in the vaccinated group was 1.07% (n = 3) versus 14.1% (n = 46) in the unvaccinated group.Three patients had mild symptoms in the vaccinated group, and no hospital admission was necessary. In the unvaccinated group, 27 patients (60%) were classified as mild, eight (17.8%) as moderate, eight (17.8%) as moderate with risk, and two (4.4%) as severe; the mortality rate was 0%. Of these, 16 (88.9%) were hospitalised, of which six (33.3%) were admitted to the intensive care unit in the moderate to severe groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients with obesity are at increased risk for COVID-19 infection and adverse consequences. Our findings showed a higher incidence of COVID-19 among those unvaccinated versus vaccinated. Therefore, at least during times and locations of a COVID-19 pandemic, vaccinations may be beneficial for patients against COVID-19 prior to bariatric surgery.