Utility of the temperament and character inventory (TCI) in outcome prediction of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: preliminary report.
BACKGROUND
Research about personality factors involved in successful outcome after bariatric surgery has led to contrasting results. The reasons for such discrepancies may include the lack of assessment of adaptive personality traits and of psychiatric co-morbidity, which may limit the reliability of personality findings. This study aimed to provide exploratory data regarding preoperative personality dimensions and weight loss prediction 1 year after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). Both normal and deviant personality patterns were assessed by means of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Moreover, co-morbid psychiatric disturbances were evaluated both categorically and dimensionally.


METHODS
65 morbidly obese subjects applying for LAGB were evaluated preoperatively by means of the TCI, standardized diagnostic interview, rating scales and questionnaires to assess co-morbid psychopathology. After intake screening, 35 subjects (mean age 41.2, mean BMI 45.5) were accepted for and underwent LAGB. BMI reduction 1 year following LAGB was used as an outcome measure and entered as a dependent variable in a stepwise multiple regression analysis. TCI scores, presence and severity of eating, depressive and anxiety disorders, sex, age, level of education and BMI at baseline were tested as independent variables.


RESULTS
Preoperative TCI 'Persistence' scores explained >40% of variance of BMI reduction 1 year following LAGB, irrespective of preoperative BMI, age, gender, educational level, psychiatric co-morbidity, psychopathology severity and other temperament and character features.


CONCLUSIONS
Some personality dimensions, as measured by the TCI, may be involved in successful weight control after LAGB.
De Panfilis
Chiara
C
Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Parma University Hospital, Italy.
Cero
Sara
S
Torre
Mariateresa
M
Salvatore
Paola
P
Dall'Aglio
Elisabetta
E
Adorni
Aristodemo
A
Maggini
Carlo
C
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D015995:Prevalence; D013694:Temperament; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss