title: Quality of life after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAP-BAND): APEX interim 3-year analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is often associated with diminished health-related quality of life (HRQOL), but significant gains in HRQOL have been observed after bariatric surgery. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding has been established as a safe, effective treatment to reduce weight in patients with obesity. This report summarizes interim 3-year changes in HRQOL and body weight, as well as safety postimplantation of the LAP-BAND AP (LBAP) system.
  
  
  METHODS
  The LAP-BAND AP EXperience (APEX) trial, an ongoing, prospective, 5-year, open-label study, assessed changes in HRQOL (Obesity and Weight-Loss Quality of Life [OWLQOL] questionnaire) and body weight, and safety after placement of LBAP. This interim analysis represents patients with evaluable OWLQOL data at baseline and at 3 years (n = 183).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The OWLQOL total score and individual scores significantly improved within 6 months post-LBAP and continued to improve during a 3 year period (P < 0.0001, both). Total score improved from 71.0 to 34.0 (mean improvement from baseline, 52%; range, 18%-65%); mean change in individual scores was -2.2 (range, -0.7 to -3.0). Percent weight loss was maintained through 3 years (19.4%; n = 174). Improvement in OWLQOL was associated with percent weight loss at 3 years (r = -0.5407; P < 0.0001). Revisions and explants were performed in 7 (3.8%) and 20 (10.9%) out of 183 patients, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Meaningful improvement in quality of life occurred through clinically significant weight loss after LBAP placement, extending throughout the 3 years of this analysis.
authors.affiliation: Ventura Advanced Surgical Associates, Ventura, CA.
authors.forename: Helmuth T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Billy
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Sarwer
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ponce
authors.forename: Daisy S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ng-Mak
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cornell
authors.forename: Ted
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okerson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011788:Quality of Life; D015431:Weight Loss