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Influence of complications and extent of weight loss on quality of life after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

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Abstract

Introduction

Obesity decreases health-related quality of life, but bariatric surgery improves it. This study evaluates the effect of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, postoperative complications, and percentage of excess body weight loss on quality of life.

Methods

SF-36v.1 questionnaires were administered preoperative (n = 505), 1 year (n = 237) and 2 years (n = 106) following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Analysis was performed using Student’s t-test and multiple logistic regression analysis. Complications were defined as requiring additional intervention or hospitalization. SF-36 responses were normalized to 1998 US norms.

Results

Bariatric patients scored significantly lower on all scales compared to the normal population. Health-related quality of life notably improves after surgery. At 1 year, scores not only improved from baseline, but were higher than those of the non-obese reference population regardless of complications. Compared to patients at 2 years without complications, patients experiencing complications reported decreased scores, but scores remained higher than preoperative scores in five scales. At 1 and 2 years, ≤50% excess body weight loss decreased scores; however, scores were significantly improved from baseline.

Conclusions

Health-related quality of life in bariatric patients is worse than in controls, but it improves 1 and 2 years after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Complications or ≤50% excess body weight loss slightly decreases this improvement.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Yarbrough is funded in part by a fellowship grant from Tyco Healthcare.

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Correspondence to R. H. Clements.

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Presented as a Poster at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons Annual Meeting, April 2006, Dallas, Texas

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Rea, J.D., Yarbrough, D.E., Leeth, R.R. et al. Influence of complications and extent of weight loss on quality of life after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surg Endosc 21, 1095–1100 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-007-9257-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-007-9257-1

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