A Prospective Cohort of Alcohol use and Alcohol-related Problems Before and After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents

To describe alcohol use, alcohol-related harm, and alcohol-related problems preoperatively and up to 8 years following metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) in adolescents. Risk for alcohol use and alcohol use disorders (AUD) increases post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and vertical sleeve gastrectomy in adults. However, data are lacking in adolescents who undergo MBS. This study includes 217 adolescents (aged 13-19 y) enrolled in a 5-center prospective cohort study who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or vertical sleeve gastrectomy (2007-2011) and reported alcohol use preoperatively and annually postoperatively for up to 8 years. Time to elevated Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) score, alcohol-related harm, and alcohol-related problems were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier estimates of cumulative incidence. Preoperatively, the median age was 17 years; the median body mass index was 51 kg/m 2 . Alcohol use frequency and average quantity of drinks per drinking day increased postoperatively (2% consumed alcohol 2-4 times/month 6 months versus 24% 8 years postoperatively, P