Psychological predictors of outcome in vertical banded gastroplasty: a 6 months prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND

At present, bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. Several factors appear to influence the patient's ability to adjust to the postoperative condition, but reliable predictors are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess whether psychological presurgical variables can predict outcome of vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) in the short term.

METHODS

38 severely obese patients (6 men and 32 women) underwent laparoscopic VBG. All were assessed prospectively at TO (before surgery) and at T6 (6 months after surgery) with a semi-structured interview and a battery of psychological tests: State Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-2), Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Binge Eating Scale (BES), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), and (only at TO) the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI).

RESULTS

The comparison between TO and T6 found a significant weight loss and an improvement in several dimensions of EDI-2, BDI, and BSQ, together with an increase in the frequency of vomiting. Self-directedness (TCI) and Body Dissatisfaction (EDI-2) appear to be predictors of short-term outcome regarding weight loss. Self-transcendence (TCI) is associated with emerging side-effects.

CONCLUSION

Although larger and longer studies are necessary to confirm these data, Self directedness and Self trascendence emerge as predictors of 6 months clinical and psychological outcome of VBG.