title: Health-Related Quality-of-Life (HRQoL) on an Average of 12 Years After Gastric Bypass Surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is evident that morbidly obese patients have a low health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL), and this low HRQoL has become a common reason for them to seek bariatric surgery. Several HRQoL studies demonstrate a dramatic postoperative improvement, but most of these have had a short follow-up period.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational, cross-sectional study for HRQoL was conducted to study 486 patients (average age of 50.7 ± 10.0 years, with 84 % of them being female) operated with gastric bypass (GBP) in the period 1993 to 2003 at the University Hospitals of Örebro and Uppsala. Mean follow-up after gastric bypass was 11.5 ± 2.7 years (range 7-17). Two HRQoL instruments were used, SF-36 and the Obesity-related Problems scale (OP). The study group was compared with two control groups, both matched for age and gender, one from the general population and one containing morbidly obese patients evaluated and awaiting bariatric surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study group scored better in the SF-36 domains (all four physical domains and the vitality subscore) and OP scale compared to obese controls, but their HRQoL scores were lower than those of the general population. HRQoL was better among younger patients and in the following subgroups: men, patients with satisfactory weight loss, satisfied with the procedure, free from co-morbidities and gastrointestinal symptoms, employment, good oral status and those not hospitalised or regularly followed up for non-bariatric reasons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term follow-up after GBP for morbid obesity showed better scores in most aspects of HRQoL compared to obese controls but did not achieve the levels of the general population. Patients with better medical outcome after gastric bypass operation had better HRQoL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden, mustafase@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raoof
authors.forename: Ingmar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Näslund
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rask
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karlsson
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sundbom
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Edholm
authors.forename: F Anders
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Karlsson
authors.forename: Felicity
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Svensson
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Szabo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011788:Quality of Life; D015431:Weight Loss