Predictors of improvement in health-related quality of life in patients undergoing cholecystectomy.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients undergoing cholecystectomy. This study aimed to determine clinical variables that predict changes in HRQoL following cholecystectomy.


METHODS
This was a prospective study of consecutive patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy for gallstones in six hospitals. Patients were asked to complete two questionnaires-the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI)-before and 3 months after cholecystectomy. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine factors potentially contributing to changes in HRQoL.


RESULTS
Patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis and low surgical risk experienced the highest HRQoL gains in several SF-36 and GIQLI domains, with significant improvements in physical function detected by both instruments, compared with asymptomatic individuals at high surgical risk. Patients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis or high surgical risk experienced least improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that cholecystectomy is appropriate for patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis and low surgical risk. In terms of HRQoL, the risk to benefit ratio seems poor for patients with asymptomatic gallstones.
Quintana
J M
JM
Unidad de Investigación, Hospital de Galdakao, Galdakao, Spain.
Aróstegui
I
I
Cabriada
J
J
López de Tejada
I
I
Perdigo
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*