Improvement in health-related quality of life in first year after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

Background: We analyzed the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its determinants in the first year after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). The setting was 10 Italian public and private bariatric surgery centers. Methods: Data collected in an ongoing, prospective, 3-year multicenter Italian study on the changes in HRQOL after LAGB were used. HRQOL was investigated using the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 questionnaire. Hunger, satiety, and the self-perceived effects of LAGB were recorded. Results: A total of 334 patients were enrolled. The follow-up rate was 92.2%. The percentage of excess weight loss was 39.6% +/- 25.8%, with very few side effects or complications. Hunger in the morning (0-10 scale) was 4.5 +/- 2.7 before surgery and 3.8 +/- 2.4 after 1 year (P < .001). Satiety after a meal (0-10 scale) was 7.1 +/- 2.7 before surgery and 8.2 +/- 1.9 at 1 year (P < .001). The self-perceived effect of LAGB on caloric intake (0-10 scale) was 8.4 +/- 1.9 after I year. The scores for the 8 Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 subscales were significantly improved after surgery. The physical component summary score was 52.6 +/- 11.9 at baseline and 79.1 +/- 15.6 after 1 year (P < .001). The corresponding mental component summary scores were 52.2 +/- 12.3 and 76.5 +/- 17.2 (P < .001). Greater physical component summary improvement was independently associated with a low initial physical component summary (P < .001), high satiety (P = .002), a high percentage of excess weight loss (P = .013), and a high self-perceived effect of the LAGB (P = .026). Greater mental component summary improvement was associated with a low initial mental component summary (P < .001), high satiety (P < .001), a low frequency of heartburn (P = .004), and a high percentage of excess weight loss (P = .012). Conclusions: Significant improvements in FIRQOL were observed in the first year after LAGB. A poor baseline HRQOL, a high efficacy of the banding in eating control, and better weight loss might influence HRQOL changes. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2012;8:260-268.) (C) 2012 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.