A new study reveals that while Black and Hispanic patients experience significant pain reduction after bariatric surgery, they still carry a higher pain burden compared to the general population. The research, published in the Journal of Pain, sheds light on the complex relationship between weight loss, pain management, and racial disparities in healthcare outcomes.
Lead author Ericka N. Merriwether, an assistant professor at New York University, emphasizes that “Medical providers and researchers tend to underestimate the burden of widespread pain in minoritized populations living with higher body weight, leading to widening disparities and poor management of the symptoms.”
The study analyzed data from 256 patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy between 2017 and 2020. Researchers found that the greatest pain reduction occurred within the first three months post-surgery, with Hispanic patients experiencing faster relief in the early stages. However, Black and Hispanic patients continued to report higher widespread pain burdens at various intervals following the procedure.
Notably, the lower back, legs, and feet were identified as the most frequent pain sites. Merriwether suggests that healthcare providers should utilize simple tools like body diagrams to assess widespread pain patterns as part of standard care for pain and weight management.
These findings highlight the need for tailored approaches to pain management in diverse populations undergoing bariatric surgery. By addressing these disparities, healthcare providers can work towards more equitable outcomes and improved quality of life for all patients seeking surgical weight loss solutions.
See “Bariatric surgery eases pain for people of color” (July 25, 2024)
