Background

Obesity has been associated to an increased incidence of kidney cancer. This study aims to determine the impact of bariatric surgery (BaS) as a potential form of prevention of kidney cancer in patients with obesity.

Methods

The National inpatient sample (NIS) data collected between 2010 and 2015 was examined to identify any difference in the number of the first-time cancer-related hospitalization as a proxy for cancer incidence between patients with obesity, with a history of BaS (study group) and without (controls). Patients with previous diagnosis of cancer were excluded from the analysis. ICD-9 codes were employed to identify admissions for kidney cancer. Univariate analysis and Multivariate logistic regression model were performed to assess differences between surgical and control groups.

Results

A total of 2,300,845 were included in the analysis, 2,004,804 controls-subjects, and 296,041 treatment-subjects. The mean age was 54.4 +- 0.05 in the control group, and 51.9 +- 0.05, in the study group. Demographics and comorbidities were also measured. Patients with a history of BaS were significantly less likely to experience renal cancer related hospital admission than patients without a history of BaS, with 5,935 cases in the control group and 684 in the case group (p<0.0001). After a multivariate logistic regression was performed, the OR= 1.10 (95% IC (1.02-1.22), p<0.0224).

Conclusions

Our finding suggests that BaS could significantly prevent the first-time kidney cancer-related hospitalizations in patients with obesity, possibly decreasing the incidence of kidney cancer. Prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings