title: Gastrointestinal quality of life following laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty (LVBG) is a safe and effective treatment for morbid obesity. Previous studies disclosed a significant improvement in the health-related quality of life after substantial weight loss following VBG. Data regarding the specific gastrointestinal quality of life following LVBG is lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  223 patients who underwent LVBG for morbid obesity were studied prospectively. Quality of life was measured by the Gastrointestinal Quality of life Index (GIQLI), a 36-item questionnaire before surgery, and at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after surgery. The questionnaire is divided into 5 domains, and the maximum score is 144.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After LVBG, weight loss has been good. Mean BMI decreased from 43.2 to 31.3 after 2 years. Co-morbidities were eliminated in 71%. 84.3% of patients were satisfied with the results. However, the score of GIQLI remained similar before and after surgery. Preoperative score was 106.2 +/- 19 points. The score became 116.6 +/- 9, 106.8 +/- 21, and 108.5 +/- 20 at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after surgery respectively. The patients had improvement in 3 domains of the questionnaire (social function, physical status and psychological emotions) but decreased in domains of core symptoms and disease-specific items.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although LVBG was effective in reduction of weight and resolution of co-morbidities in morbidly obese patients, the specific gastrointestinal quality of life did not improve. Many patients developed some specific gastrointestinal symptoms in order to obtain weight reduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Nursing, En-Chu Kong Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wei-Jei
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Po-Jui
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Weu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ching-Mei
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Po-Li
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Min-Te
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011788:Quality of Life; D013526:Surgical Mesh