Psychosocial Profile of Bariatric Surgery Candidates and the Correlation between Obesity Level and Psychological Variables

ABSTRACT

Bariatric surgery has proven to be the most effective treatment for severe obesity. Weight loss and long-term maintenance depend on patient’s ability to implement permanent lifestyle changes. Presurgical psychological evaluation and intervention are proposed for a better post surgical prognosis. The aim of present study was to make a psychosocial profile with the results of psychological evaluation performed to 129 bariatric surgery candidates and to determine associations between psychological variables with obesity level. Patients were evaluated with an oral interview, the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and the following self-reported instruments Beck Depression Inventory, Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory, Stress Control Perception, Risk Factors related to Eating Behavior Disorders Scale, Quality of Life and Health Inventory. Study population was divided in groups according to obesity level, evaluation results were compared according to these groups. Results in present study show a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders; obesity level was not directly associated with level of psychopathology. Another finding is that at higher level of obesity, there is less concern about weight and food and also there is a significant higher perception of family support. The group of patients with higher concerns about weight and food had lower BMI and less perception of family support (AU)

RESUMEN

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