Abstract
Background:
Important outcome measurements in bariatric surgery include the improvement or resolvement of medical comorbid conditions caused by obesity, and the possible changes in quality of life. The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Finnish obese subjects awaiting bariatric surgery has not previously been compared to age- and gender-standardized general population.
Methods:
The HRQoL in 75 obese subjects waiting for bariatric surgery was assessed by the generic 15D instrument. The resulting 15D profile and single index score were compared to those of a sample of age- and gender-standardized general population (n = 4955).
Results:
The patients were significantly worse off than the age- and gender-standardized general population on 11 of the 15 dimensions. The mean total 15D score among patients scheduled for bariatric surgery was 0.844 compared to 0.934 in the control group (P < 0.001).
Conclusion:
The Finnish patients awaiting bariatric surgery suffer from a very poor HRQoL compared with age- and gender-standardized general population.