Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Sleep Disorder Symptoms and Sleep Quality

Obesity is related with several sleep disorders and affects the quality of life. In this research it was aimed to evaluate the effects of bariatric surgery on sleep disorders and sleep quality.

The study was conducted on 454 patients who underwent bariatric surgery at the Departments of General Surgery of Üsküdar University, Hitit University, Ondokuz Mayis University, and sleep disorders were evaluated at University of Health Sciences Erenköy Mental and Nervous Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurology. Sleep quality of the patients, reporting complaints about sleep. was assessed with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was questioned with the Berlin Sleep Questionnaire (BSQ), excessive daytime sleepiness was screened with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) was used in patients who identified insomnia and the restless legs syndrome severity scale (RLSS) index was also evaluated in patients with the complaints of RLS before and after the bariatric surgery.

Among 454 patients, 207 of them (45.6%) have informed complaints about sleep. After bariatric surgery, all scores indicating impaired sleep quality (BSQ category 1 and category 2, RLS index, ESS, PSQI, ISI) decreased significantly in patients (p = 0.000). BSQ- scale scores had the greatest decrease among other scales. Patients also reported fewer complaints of sweating, sexual dysfunction, gastroosephageal reflux, teeth clenching, dry mouth, morning headache, nocturia, and daytime sleepiness after the surgery (p < 0.05). The decrease in body mass index (BMI) was significantly correlated with BSQ-OSAS total (r=-0.143; p < 0.05), RLS (r=-0.410; p < 0.05) and PSQI sleep latency (r = 0.174; p < 0.05). However, the correlation between BMI reduction and ESS, PSQI and ISI scores was found statistically insignificant. (p > 0.05). Effect of BMI difference on BSQ-OSAS was statistically significant (OR=-0.041; p < 0.05). Effects of BMI difference (OR=-0.490; p < 0.05) and having thyroid comorbidity (OR=-24.752; p < 0.01) on RLS were also statistically significant.

Bariatric surgery has a positive and healing effect on sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome in favor of this group of patients.