De Novo Inflammatory Bowel Disease Following Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The incidence of both obesity and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising globally. The influence of bariatric metabolic surgery (BMS) upon IBD development is largely unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the relationship between BMS and the risk of de novo IBD development following surgery. A systematic literature search and meta-analysis were performed using PubMed and Scopus databases. Inclusion criteria were any study reporting risk of de novo IBD development following BMS relative to an appropriate control cohort. Pooled odds ratios (POR) were calculated. A total of 31 articles were identified by the literature search. Four studies including 149,385 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled estimation of a meta-analysis of risk ratios studies demonstrated a POR for the development of IBD following BMS of 1.17 (95% CI, 1.06-1.29). This indicates a 17% increase in relative risk of de novo IBD development for those patients receiving BMS compared to those treated by non-surgical methods. Based on the present data, there appears to be an association between BMS and risk of de novo IBD. Compared to the proven benefits of BMS on other aspects of patient health, this potential risk remains proportionally low but may be an important consideration for patients both pre- and post-operatively.

Automated summary

There is an association between bariatric metabolic surgery (BMS) and the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients who undergo BMS have a 17% higher relative risk of de novo IBD compared to those treated by non-surgical methods.