Improvement in Self-reported Eating-related Psychopathology and Physical Health-related Quality of Life After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Pre-post Analysis and Comparison with Conservatively Treated Patients with Obesity

Objective: The present study examined the effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on self-reported eating-related psychopathology and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Outcomes of the LSG group were compared with a group of conservatively treated (CT) patients, who underwent a 1-year multimodal weight reduction group program that included dietary advice, physical exercise, psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, training in Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation, and social group support. The setting was a multidisciplinary obesity center.

Method: A sample of 103 patients with obesity were investigated using the Eating Disorder Inventory and the Short Form Health Survey before and, on average, 19 (±5) months after weight loss intervention. Thereof, 63 patients (age 45.6±10.9years, 71.4% females) underwent LSG, and 40 patients (age 50.6±11.3years, 77.5% females) underwent the CT program. Patients were assigned to either the surgical or the nonsurgical intervention group following clinical guidelines and patient preference.

Results: In the LSG group, excess weight loss (%EWL) was 53.0±24.0%, and body mass index (BMI) decreased from 51.5±8.1 to 38.0±7.7kg/m. In the CT group, %EWL was 13.9±27.1%, and BMI decreased from 40.3±6.7 to 38.0±7.2kg/m. Significant improvements in eating-related psychopathology were observed in both groups. Although both groups had a similar BMI after the respective interventions, LSG patients reported significantly greater body satisfaction and substantial improvement in perceived physical health from a lower baseline level than CT patients.

Discussion: In the second follow-up year, LSG was associated with greater weight loss from a higher baseline weight, and greater improvements in self-reported eating-related psychopathology and physical HRQoL compared with conservative treatment.