title: Gastrointestinal quality of life after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) is a commonly performed bariatric surgical procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity (MO). Obesity-related co-morbidities reduce the quality and expectancy of life. We assessed gastrointestinal quality of life in patients following LRYGBP.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI test) was used in this study. A higher score correlates with better quality of life. The GIQLI test was administered to 3 non-selected groups: 100 morbidly obese patients (MO group), 100 patients who had undergone LRYGBP (LRYGBP group); and a control group of 100 individuals (CO group). The CO group was composed of healthy individuals with a BMI<30 kg/m2, consecutively recruited among the companions of patients who came for a surgery consultation for obesity or other pathologies. Overall test and specific dimensions scores were evaluated for each group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall test and specific dimensions scores were significantly lower in patients with MO when compared to the CO and LRYGBP groups. There were no differences between the CO and LRYGBP groups in the overall score with regard to disease-specific digestive symptoms and the psychological and social dimensions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quality of life of morbidly obese patients is worsened not only because of the presence of digestive symptoms but also because of their emotional, physical and social impact. Patients operated on by LRYGBP experience an improvement in their quality of life, with good tolerance of the anatomical changes.
authors.affiliation: Bariatric Surgical Unit at Centro Laparoscópico de Barcelona, Spain. poves@cib.es
authors.forename: Ignasi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Poves
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cabrera
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maristany
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coma
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ballesta-López
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life