Health-Related Quality of Life in Obese Pre-Surgery Patients With and Without Eating Disorders

Abstract

Aim: To study health-related quality of life in obese patients waiting for gastric bypass surgery. Patients with all relevant eating disorders, as well as patients with sub-diagnostic binge eating disorder, were compared with patients without eating disorders. In the explorative part of the study, variations in gender, BMI, age, civil status, education and onset of obesity were investigated in regard to health-related quality of life.

Method: Patients were mailed self-report questionnaires. Eating Disorders in Obesity (EDO) were used to diagnose eating disorders, and the Medical Outcomes Study 12 item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), assessed health-related quality of life. Completed questionnaires were returned by 160 of 209 patients (response rate 76.5%). 17 patients were excluded because of missing in SF-12, leaving 143 patients in the present study sample (n=143, 117 women and 43 men).

Results: Patients with full criteria eating disorder as well as patients with subdiagnostic binge eating disorder had significantly lower mental health-related quality of life compared to patients without eating disorders. No significant differences between patients with and without eating disorders were found on the physical health-related quality of life. In the explorative part of the study, patients with low education had significantly lower physical health-related quality of life compared to patients with high education. No significant differences in health-related quality of life was found in regards to gender, civil status, onset of obesity, or in regards to BMI or age (median split).

Conclusion: The importance of providing a focus on mental health in treatment interventions for obese pre-surgery patients is highlighted by the present results. Eating disorders, full criteria as well as sub-diagnostic, may negatively influence the mental healthrelated quality of life in obese pre-surgery patients.