Changes in quality of life 5 years after sleeve gastrectomy: a prospective cohort study

• Published in: BMJ open 2019-09, Vol.9 (9), p.e031170-e031170
• Main Authors: Flølo, Tone Nygaard, Tell, Grethe S, Kolotkin, Ronette L, Aasprang, Anny, Norekvål, Tone Merete, Våge, Villy, Hufthammer, Karl Ove, Andersen, John Roger
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body mass index; Cohort analysis; Gastrointestinal surgery; Obesity; Patients; Population; Quality of life; Questionnaires; Substance abuse treatment; Support groups; Surgery; Weight control
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031170

ObjectivesSleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most frequently performed bariatric surgery procedure worldwide, but reports on long-term quality of life (QOL) outcomes are scarce. We investigated 5-year trajectories in QOL and their associations with weight loss after SG.DesignA prospective cohort study.SettingThe study was conducted in a single Norwegian bariatric surgery centre.ParticipantsOut of 150 operated patients, 127 were included. Mean age was 41 years, 68% were women and the follow-up rate at 1 year was 85% and 64% at 1 and 5 years, respectively.Outcome measuresData were collected preoperatively, and 1 and 5 years after surgery assessing three different levels of QOL. The main exposure was weight loss after SG, assessed as per cent excess body mass index (kg/m2) loss (%EBMIL). The Obesity-Related Problem (OP) scale was used to measure obesity-specific health-related QOL (HRQOL). Physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) composite summary scores of the Short Form 36 Health Survey were used to capture generic HRQOL and Cantril Ladder was used to assess overall QOL.ResultsAll HRQOL/overall QOL measures significantly improved at 1 year, followed by modest decline from 1 to 5 years after surgery. Greater %EBMIL 5 years after surgery was significantly associated with improvements in OP and PCS scores, but not with MCS and Cantril Ladder scores. Although significant (p