The impact of weight loss on depression status in obese individuals subjected to intragastric balloon treatment.

Background: Although depression is considered to be significantly related to morbid obesity disorder, no information exists on the evolution of depression status after weight loss, in particular when an intragastric balloon is used. This prospective 6-month study examines both the effect on depression status and the relation of weight loss to depression in morbidly obese patients treated by intragastric balloon.

Methods: One hundred consecutive females fulfilling criteria for balloon treatment were assessed for depression and divided into two groups (65 depressed, 35 non-depressed). Obesity-related parameters were comparable.

Results: During the treatment period, the depression status of the mildly, moderately, and severely depressed patients improved from 40, 32.3, and 27.7 % to 20, 7.7, and 1.5 %, respectively, with 70.8 % finally exhibiting no depression at all. During the same period, body weight, BMI, body fat, and excess weight loss (EWL) were comparable between all groups, the range of BMI affecting neither the depression score nor the reduction of obesity parameters. However, there was a significant [percentage of EWL >30] weight loss difference in favor of those who were less severely depressed initially.

Conclusion: The degree of weight loss observed in obese depressed females-being comparable to that achieved by non-depressed females-after intragastric balloon insertion was found to positively affect their depression status.