Prospective study of health-related quality of life after Roux-en-Y bypass surgery for morbid obesity

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity on health-related quality of life (QOL) during the first year of follow-up. METHODS: The World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) was administered 1 month before operation, and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Body mass index, co-morbidities and operation-related complications were measured at these times. A mixed-effect model was constructed to analyse repeated measurements and determine the relationships between body mass index, WHOQOL-BREF scores and other variables. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients were enrolled. The mixed-effect model showed that the physical, psychological and social domains improved after bariatric surgery, with simultaneous reduction in weight and improvement in co-morbidities. There was a dip in scores in physical and psychological domains 3-6 months after surgery, significantly related to complications. All patients gradually improved between 6 and 12 months after surgery, reaching levels similar to those of healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Health-related QOL improved dramatically after bariatric surgery, dipped slightly between 3 and 6 months, and improved again up to the end of the first year.