Nearly half of adolescents who undergo metabolic and bariatric surgery screen positively for alcohol use disorder, symptoms of alcohol-related harm, or alcohol-related problems eight years after surgery, according to a study published online 17 November in the Annals of Surgery.

Dr Gretchen White (PhD), from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the US, and colleagues examined alcohol use, alcohol-related harm and alcohol-related problems preoperatively and up to eight years following metabolic and bariatric surgery (2007 to 2011) in 217 adolescents.

The researchers found that alcohol use frequency and average quantity of drinks per drinking day increased postoperatively (2% consumed alcohol 2-4 times/month at six months versus 24% at eight years postoperatively; 2% consumed three or more drinks per drinking day at six months versus 35% at eight years postoperatively).

At eight years, the cumulative incidence of postoperative-onset elevated Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption score, alcohol-related harm and alcohol-related problems was 45%, 43% and 47%, respectively.