Improved quality of life after bariatric surgery in morbidly obese patients. Interdisciplinary group of bariatric surgery of Verona (G.I.C.O.V.)

Abstract

Background: Our aim was to evaluate the changes of health-related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) after bariatric surgery.

Patients and methods: 110 patients, who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery (N=34 gastric banding; N= 69 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, N=7 sleeve gastrectomy), were evaluated before surgery and after an average of 36±13 months with SF-36 Health Survey.

Results: Mean preoperative age and body mass index (BMI) were 43±12 years and 45±7 kg/m2 respectively. At follow-up, mean BMI was 33±6 kg/m2. A significant improvement was observed for all dimensions of SF-36, except for General and Mental Health dimension. Satisfaction was greater in patients with the higher reduction in weight. Only the PF (Physical Functioning) domain (F=6,349, p=0.01) resulted a significant predictor of the weight lost after surgery independently of age, sex and type of surgery.

Conclusions: We confirm a beneficial effect of bariatric surgery on HR-QoL. Moreover, we found that PF domain of SF-36 is a significant predictor of weight loss.

Figures

Fig. 1

Mean values of the items (SF36) before (gray) and after (black) bariatric surgery. Data are reported as mean and the bar refers to SE. PF: physical functioning; RL: role physical; BP: bone pain; GH: general health; VT: Vitality; SF: social functioning; RE: role emotional; MH: mental health.

Fig. 2

Difference of weight before and after surgery according to the level of satisfaction.