Age and body mass index: significant predictive factors for successful laparoscopic antireflux surgery

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) is a feasible treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients, but it is unclear who will benefit from the surgery. This study investigated patients' GERDspecific quality of life (GsQOL) and analyzed the factors leading to the performance of successful LARS.

Twenty-six (57.8%) of 45 consecutive patients who underwent LARS for GERD during the last decade were enrolled. All patients were evaluated by 24-h pH monitoring, esophageal manometry, esophagogastro-duodenoscopy and physical examinations. GsQOL was assessed by a visual analog scale, and the difference between the pre- and postoperative scores was defined as the visual analog scale improvement score (VASIS). The patients were classified into three groups based on the VASIS, and their clinical factors and surgical outcomes were compared.

The high VASIS group patients (>70 VASIS; Excellent group) patients were significantly younger and obese in comparison to low the VASIS group (<30 VASIS; Poor group) consisting of older nonobese patients (P < 0.05). A multiple regression analysis revealed that age <60 years and body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m(2) were significant factors that affected postoperative GsQOL. No other clinical or surgical factors had any influence on the postoperative GsQOL.

These results suggest that age and BMI can be predictive factors for the performance of successful LARS.