Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on bariatric patients in Podlaskie Voivodeship in Poland

Introduction: The first case of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) in Poland was reported on March 4, 2020 and resulted in cancellation of bariatric procedures during the lockdown in Poland. The lockdown caused difficult access to all means of medical care. Aim: The study was conducted to show the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on bariatric patients' status in one of the Polish regions. Methods: The survey was designed and distributed to bariatric patients. The questionnaire was divided into two parts: demographic characteristics of participants and the impact of the pandemic on bariatric patients. Results: 116 bariatric patients participated in the survey. As many as 109 of them (94%) reported at least one accompanying disease. The mean value of the willingness to undergo the bariatric procedure among women was 8.8 (+/- 2.2 SD) and among men 8.5 (+/- 2.3 SD). The mean value of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the willingness to undergo the bariatric procedure in the group of women was 3.0 (+/- 3.0 SD) and in the group of men -3.2 (+/- 3.0 SD). Statistical analysis shows that there is no statistically significant difference between those dates. Conclusions: Despite the pandemic and higher risk of mortality and complications after COVID-19 infection, bariatric patients declare a high level of willingness to undergo the bariatric procedure and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic does not play an important role in their decision-making process concerning the bariatric procedure. Delay of surgery can significantly increase the disease load in these patients, so cancelling or postponing treatment is not advised.