Evaluation of quality of life, weight loss and evolution of comorbidities at 6 years after bariatric surgery

INTRODUCTION

Morbid obesity is a disease with multiple comorbidities and considerably limits the quality of life and life expectancy. Bariatric surgery is an effective therapeutic alternative in these patients; it acts on the decrease and / or absorption of nutrients, achieving a significant weight loss which is maintained over time. The objective of the study is to determine the long-term results, in terms of efficacy, regarding weight loss, the resolution of comorbidities and improvement in the quality of life of our patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study that comprised all patients consecutively undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery at our center over a 10 year period. In all patients, the anthropometric and clinical data were collected prior to surgery and in subsequent protocolized visits after surgery. At the end of the follow-up, a BAROS questionnaire was used that recorded weight loss, the resolution of comorbidities, complications and the quality of life test completed by the patients.

RESULTS

353 patients (303 GBPRY and 50 GV), 105 men and 248 women, with a mean age of 42.14 ± 10.16 years, BMI 48.63 kg / m2 and 68.5% had some comorbidity. The mean follow-up was 5.7 ± 2.6 years for 96.7% of the total number operated on. At the end of the follow-up the %EWL was 59.00 ± 19.50, %EBMIL 68.15 ± 22.94, the final BMI 32.65 ± 5.98 and 31.3% of the patients had %EWL ≤ 50. The resolution of comorbidities was as follows: 48.7% hypertension, 70.3% Type 2 Diabetes, 82.6% DLP and 71.6% SAHS. The result of the quality of life test was 1.51 ± 0.93, with 67.2% of patients reporting good or very good quality, with the highest score being for self-esteem, followed by physical condition, work and social activity, and the lowest being for sexual quality of life in that only 40.3% reported an improvement. The BAROS score was 4.35 ± 2.06 with 84.7% of the patients in the good to excellent range, while 91.2% of all patients would undergo surgery again.

CONCLUSIONS

Bariatric surgery is an effective technique for reducing weight, resolving comorbidities and improving the quality of life of patients with morbid obesity, mainly in its physical aspect. In our series, the percentage of follow-up and average time was within the range of established quality standards.