SP5.1.1 The harsh reality of a long waiting list for bariatric surgery, a prospective study regarding health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among morbid obese patients following bariatric surgery versus those on a waiting list, a two-year follow-up study

Abstract

Abstract Aims The aims of this study were to assess the changes in HRQoL during the 2 years follow-up between patients who underwent surgery and those on a long waiting list . Methods Between January to December 2017, 70 surgical patients and 69 patients on the waiting list were interviewed at baseline, 12-month and 24-month follow-up. Quality of life was measured by the SF-12v2 and the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite (IWQoL) questionnaires. Socio-demographics, clinical, and surgical-related variables were collected. Results 139 patients were analyzed, with similar baseline characteristics. Analyzing the entire sample: the higher the BMI, the worse the scores in the IWQoL. Performing more qualified work improves several aspects of the SF-12v2. In contrast, patients with depression tended to score worse on all dimensions of both questionnaires, women scored worse on the Self-Esteem domain and men improved on the Mental Health one. At 12 and 24-month follow-up, statistically significant differences were found among all aspects of the questionnaires between both groups (P<.001). Furthermore, scores were lower in all domains in the evolution of wait-listed patients, with statistically differences among Bodily Pain, Emotional Role, Mental Health, and Mental Component Summary domains (P<.05) at 12 months, but differences were not found at 24 months. Conclusions The quality of life of patients undergoing bariatric surgery is normalized one year after surgery, while patients on the waiting list get worse. Knowing the benefits of bariatric surgery, working on programs with long waiting lists should move us to fight against an unfair and unacceptable situation.