Patient-reported quality of life after bariatric surgery: a single institution analysis

Bariatric surgery is an effective weight loss and comorbidity treatment among severely obese patients. However, there are limited data describing its impact on patient-reported quality of life (QoL). We examined patient-reported QoL after bariatric surgery and analyzed variables associated with higher postoperative QoL.

Patient demographics, comorbidities, and weight loss data were obtained from our institutional database for patients who underwent bariatric surgery from January 2010 to December 2012. QoL scores were obtained during preoperative and postoperative visits (2, 6, 12, 24, 52, and 104 wk) from the Moorehead-Ardelt Quality of Life Questionnaire II. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to generate odds ratios for variables hypothesized a priori to be associated with higher postoperative QoL.

A total of 209 patients were included in the study. Patients lost an average of 59.1% (±19.0) of excess body weight 1 y after surgery. One-year postoperative QoL scores were available for 42% of patients. Mean QoL scores improved from 0.82 preoperatively to 1.66 1 y postoperatively (P = 0.004). Patients scored higher in all individual areas of Moorehead-Ardelt Quality of Life Questionnaire II: self-esteem (0.22 versus 0.36), physical activity (0.11 versus 0.31), social life (0.28 versus 0.36), work ability (0.07 versus 0.22), sexual functioning (0.04 versus 0.16), and approach to food (0.11 versus 0.26; all P values <0.05). On multivariable analysis, higher QoL was associated with private insurance/self-pay versus Medicare (odds ratio 4.20 [95% confidence interval 1.39-12.68]).

Bariatric surgery patients experienced significant improvement in QoL 1 y after surgery. Identifying modifiable predictors of high QoL after bariatric surgery requires additional investigation.