The effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on quality of life: A prospective cohort study with 5-years follow-up

Abstract Background Obesity has a negative effect on quality of life (QoL). Bariatric surgery results in significant weight loss with improvement of QoL. Very few studies have evaluated QoL after sleeve gastrectomy (SG), especially with a long-term follow-up. Objectives To assess long-term longitudinal changes of QoL of a laparoscopic SG cohort, with the obesity specific Moorehead-Ardelt II questionnaire (MAII) and to identify parameters associated with QoL outcome. Setting Bariatric Unit, University Hospital of Heraklion, Greece. Methods Morbidly obese patients admitted for laparoscopic SG over a 30-month period were prospectively studied. QoL was assessed using the Greek version of the MAII questionnaire and a visual analog scale preoperatively and at 6, 12, 24, and 60 months postoperatively. Anthropometric data and obesity-related co-morbidities were recorded. Results A total of 95 patients with mean age of 37.4 ± 9.2 years and body mass index of 48.3 ± 7.1 kg/m 2 completed the 5-year follow-up. Percentage excess body mass index loss was 51.7 ± 14.2, 64.8 ± 16.9, 67.4 ± 17.7, and 55.8 ± 25.5 at 6, 12, 24, and 60 months, respectively. All obesity-related co-morbidities improved significantly. MAII score increased from −.38 ± 1.3 preoperatively to 1.77 ± .8, 2.08 ± 0.8, 2.12 ± .7, and 1.67 ± 1.1 at the above time points, respectively (trend P P P Conclusions Laparoscopic SG is an effective bariatric operation, resulting in significant weight loss and improvements in QoL. Female sex and higher MAII score at 6 and 24 months predict better long-term QoL outcome.