Muscle Mass and Strength, Physical Function, and Health-Related Quality of Life After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is well-established for its effectiveness in promoting weight loss and improving metabolic health, but its effects on muscle mass, strength, physical function, and quality of life (QoL) remain unclear. This study aimed to compare and explore the associations between muscle mass, muscle strength, physical function, and QoL indicators in patients who underwent RYGB and in matched non-surgical controls.

This cross-sectional study included 39 patients post-RYGB (92.3% females, aged 39 ± 5 years, and BMI of 42.2 ± 3.8 kg/m²) and 21 BMI-, age-, and gender-matched non-surgical controls. Between-group comparisons, using unpaired Student t-test or Mann-Whitney test, were performed for appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASM index), handgrip strength (HGS), timed Up and Go Test (TUG), biochemical parameters, and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).

Compared to controls, patients who underwent RYGB showed similar ASM index (7.13 [6.65-7.85] vs. 7.41 [6.84-8.18] kg/m²; p = 0.36), HGS (32 ± 9.3 vs. 29.9 ± 7.1 kg; p = 0.17), and TUG (5.80 ± 0.74 vs. 6.27 ± 0.92; p = 0.08), and lower scores in most of QoL indicators (physical functioning, physical/emotional role limitations, bodily pain, social functioning, and mental health; p ≤ 0.01). Weight loss showed moderate negative correlations with both the ASM index and HGS (r =  - 0.32 to - 0.55; p ≤ 0.04). In contrast, time since surgery demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with TUG (rho = 0.43, p < 0.001).

Muscle health appears to be preserved following RYGB. However, the observed impairments in QoL indicators highlight the need for post-surgical care to extend beyond weight loss and metabolic improvements, addressing both physical and psychological well-being.