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.