1223-P: Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Quality of Life, Body Image, and Sex Life in Obese Women

Abstract

Bariatric surgery and consequent weight loss improve metabolic and anthropometric parameters in obese subjects. However, a detailed assessments about the impact of bariatric surgery on quality of life (QoL), body image perception, and sex life is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the QoL, body image satisfaction and sexual function in 389 female patients with obesity (age 40±10 years, pre-surgery weight 120.4±17.7 kg) before and at least 6 months after bariatric surgery (60% sleeve gastrectomy, 40% gastric bypass). All participants were asked to complete the following online self-report questionnaires seven days before and six months after bariatric surgery: the Body Uneasiness Test (BUT) to assess self-perception of body image, the Short Form-12 (SF-12) to QoL as per the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) domains, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to screen for sexual dysfunctions in women. After bariatric surgery, patients lost 44.5±16.5 kg (p<0.001), with an increase of the PCS (53.3±7.2 vs. 31.9±21.4, p<0.001) and MCS (50.5±8.8 vs. 39.6±12.5, p<0.001) scores, that fell within the normal range of healthy individuals. All patients showed a significant improvement of the global score index domain of the BUT (1.9±1.1 vs. 3.7±0.9, p<0.001). The youngest patients (18-39 years old) who lost at least 40% of the baseline weight obtained a normalization of their body image concern domain results, reaching the reference range for healthy non-obese subjects. After bariatric surgery, patients also had a significant improvement of the FSFI (26.8±9.7 vs. 19.6±8.8, p<0.001), with an increase of non-dysfunctional, sexually active women from 26.2% to 78.2%. Significant correlations were found between the extent of weight loss and the improvement of all the psychometric parameters. Bariatric surgery is an efficient and safe treatment for obesity, and the physical gains related to weight loss are also mirrored by significant improvements in mental and physical health and sexual function. Disclosure L. Di gioia: None. A. Natalicchio: Speaker’s Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Lilly Diabetes, Sanofi. L. Laviola: Advisory Panel; Self; A. Menarini Diagnostics, Abbott, AstraZeneca, Lilly Diabetes, Novo Nordisk Inc., Roche Diabetes Care, Sanofi-Aventis, Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Medtronic. A. Bertolino: None. F. Giorgino: Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Lilly Diabetes, Novo Nordisk, Roche Diabetes Care, Sanofi, Research Support; Self; Lilly Diabetes, Roche Diabetes Care. S. Perrini: None. A. Braun: None. E. Rossi: None. F. Giordano: None. F. Guarini: None. E. Siciliano: None. A. Cignarelli: None. A. Leonardini: None.