Psychopathological status and interpersonal functioning following weight loss in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
BACKGROUND
We questioned whether differences in psychopathological status and interpersonal relations exist in a group of morbidly obese patients 18 months after bariatric surgery, as related to extent of weight loss.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 100 morbidly obese patients (85 female, 15 male) who had undergone surgical treatment (vertical banded gastroplasty) for weight reduction. Each patient completed the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile European version, the Eating Disorder Inventory, the Symptom Check List-90-Revised, and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II. The sample was divided into 2 groups according to the percentage of excess weight loss 18 months after surgery: a greater weight loss group (weight loss > 30%) and a lesser weight loss group (weight loss < 30%).


RESULTS
Significant differences were found between the 2 groups in percentage of weight loss (P < 0.0001), negative self-esteem (P < 0.001), drive for thinness (P < 0.001), body dissatisfaction (P < 0.001), global EDI (P < 0.002), anxiety (P < 0.003), GSI (P < 0.002), avoidant (P < 0.001), borderline (P < 0.0001), and passive-aggressive (P < 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Greater weight loss strongly correlates with improved quality of life, less disturbed eating behavior, and lower psychopathology. These results justify the clinical use of surgical procedures and demonstrate that weight loss has powerful psychological and psychosocial implications.
Guisado
Juan A
JA
Department of Psychiatry, University of Extremadura School of Medicine, Badajoz, Spain. jguisadom@medynet.com
Vaz
Francisco J
FJ
Alarcón
Javier
J
López-Ibor
Juan J
JJ
Rubio
Miguel A
MA
Gaite
Luis
L
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D010551:Personality; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology