Background: We evaluated the long term impact of ajustable gastric banding (LAGB) on obesity associated comorbidities, namely hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2, as well as the quality of life in morbidly obese patients.
Methods: 94 patients (77 female and 17 male; BMI von 49,5 ± 9,2 kg/m2) who underwent LAGB between 12/1997 and 11/2003 were recruited in this study. In all cases preoperative assessment included upper GI endoscopy, 24-h-pH-monitoring, esophageal manometry, barium swallow. Evaluation of the quality of life was done by using the BAROS and SF-36 questionaire. Follow up period was at least 48 months.
Results: Excessive Weight Loss (EWL) was 47,67% after 5 years. In patients suffering of GERD prior to LAGB no significant impact on acid refux could be detected. Preoperative evaluation identified 18/94 patients (19%) to have diabetes mellitus Typ II. 60 months postoperativly only 3/94 patients (3%) were not able to discontinue their diabetic medication (p<0,01). Furthermore in 32/94 of the patients (34%) hypertension was diagnozed compared to only 12/94 patients (13%) 60 months after LAGB (p<0,01). Quality of life was also significantelly improved and corresponded to the weight loss progress(BAROS good to bis excellent 71/94 (75%)(p<0,01)).
Conclusion: Long term weight loss after LAGB has a positve impact not only on the weight associated comorbidities, but also improves the quality of life significantelly.