Self-Reported Depression and Duodenal Cortisol Biomarkers Are Related to Weight Loss in Young Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Patients
Sarah E. Messiah, Denise C. Vidot, Christina Spadola, Manuel Cuesta, Sylvia Dao, Sylvia Daunert, Nestor de la Cruz-Muñoz
- Depression and stress can affect weight loss after bariatric surgery. This study measured cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone, directly in tissue samples during surgery alongside self-reported mental health symptoms.
- Patients with higher depression and stress biomarkers may need additional mental health support to achieve optimal weight loss.
- This is one of the first studies using tissue-level biomarkers for this connection, bridging basic science and clinical care.
- The study included young, ethnically diverse patients from South Florida.
- This reinforces that mental health is part of the surgical journey, not a separate issue.
This study published in Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care examined the relationship between self-reported depression and anxiety, duodenal cortisol biomarkers, and weight loss outcomes in young, ethnically diverse metabolic and bariatric surgery patients. The study measured cortisol levels in duodenal tissue samples collected during surgery and correlated these with self-reported mental health symptoms and subsequent weight loss. This is one of the first studies to use objective tissue-level biomarkers rather than relying solely on patient questionnaires.
Messiah SE, Vidot DC, Spadola C, Cuesta M, Dao S, Daunert S, de la Cruz-Muñoz N. Self-Reported Depression and Duodenal Cortisol Biomarkers Are Related to Weight Loss in Young Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Patients. Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care. 2020;15(2):73-80. doi:10.1089/bari.2019.0047.
