Background
In addition to actual weight loss and the possible resolution of obesity-related co-morbidities following bariatric surgery,
another widely recognized important outcome measure is the improvement of quality of life (QOL).
Methods
Disease-specific quality of life (DSQOL) and general health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were measured preoperatively and
at 1 and 5 years postoperatively following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) for morbid obesity. The Moorehead–Ardelt
questionnaire was used for DSQOL assessments and a generic 15-dimensional questionnaire (15D) was used for HRQOL measurements.
In addition, HRQOL was compared with that of the age- and gender-standardized general population.
Results
DSQOL scores were significantly improved on all domains after 1 year from the operation and this improvement was maintained
at 5 years. This improvement was also seen in the total HRQOL scores. Despite this improvement, the HRQOL after LAGB remained
worse compared to the age- and gender-standardized general population.
Conclusions
DSQOL and HRQOL improve both significantly after LAGB. This QOL improvement is maintained at 5-year follow-up although QOL
does not reach the level of the general population.
Keywords Morbid obesity – Disease-specific quality of life – Health-related quality of life – Bariatric surgery – LAGB – Gastric banding – 15D