The effect of comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on weight in patients after bariatric surgery

Aim: It is known that the prevalence of ADHD is high among individuals with obesity. Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery must maintain healthy eating behaviors and regular follow-up. Comorbid ADHD may affect healthy eating behavior and regular follow-up. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ADHD symptoms and unsuccessful postoperative weight loss and weight regain in patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Another aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between ADHD symptoms and alcohol use in these cases. Materials and Methods: The study included 134 participants who had bariatric surgery and 6-60 months had passed after the surgery. Diagnostic Interview for Adult ADHD, Wender-Reimherr Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (SR-WRAADDS), Mental Symptom Screening List (SCL90), Eating Disorder Assessment Scale (EDE-Q), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDİT) were applied to the participants. Results: The frequency of ADHD was found to be 14.9%. It was found that patients with ADHD symptoms came to check-ups less frequently after surgical treatment than those without. Although AKBTT scores were not significant, they were found to be higher in the ADHD probable and attention deficit dominant subtype groups. Conclusions: It was observed that patients with ADHD symptoms had difficulty in adapting to follow-ups after surgical treatment, but no significant effect of the symptoms on weight loss success and weight regain was found. There was no significant effect of ADHD symptoms on the risk of alcohol use. Keywords: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bariatric surgery, obesity surgery, postoperative outcome, weight regain.