Prospective longitudinal assessment of change in health-related quality of life after adjustable gastric banding.

Background: Gastric banding remains a common procedure worldwide. Improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has become a major goal in the treatment of patients with chronic diseases, yet there are few comprehensive data regarding the effect of gastric banding on HRQOL. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of laparoscopic gastric banding on HRQOL with particular regard to change over time.

Methods: The 262 consecutive patients included between May 2005 and September 2006 in a French multicenter prospective study designed to assess the safety and efficacy of a gastric band were asked to complete the SF36 questionnaire preoperatively and each 6 months during 3 years. The HRQOL scores were compared with community norms, and their longitudinal change was assessed using cross-sectional analysis and mixed-effects linear modeling (individual growth model).

Results: One hundred sixty-four patients (63%) provided a preoperative and at least one postoperative SF-36 questionnaire from 12 to 36 months and form the basis of the present study. In all dimensions, the scores of HRQOL were significantly impaired preoperatively and were significantly improved at 3 years. The increase in HRQOL scores was most marked during the first postoperative months; it continued more slowly after 6 months and stabilized after 1 year. The improvement in HRQOL was associated with the decrease in BMI, in all dimensions.

Conclusion: Gastric banding results in a significant improvement in HRQOL. A return to normal can be expected at 1 year and persists at 3 years. The postoperative improvement in HRQOL is strongly related to weight loss.