Biomedical subjects

Gerbrand C M van Hout

Publications and source records attributed to Gerbrand C M van Hout.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Psychosocial functioning following bariatric surgery.

Morbid obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality as well as psychosocial problems and poor quality of life. The ultimate goal of bariatric surgery is not only reduced weight and reduction of co-morbidities, but also improved psychosocial functioning and quality of life. However, not all patients are successful. A systematic literature search of recent articles identified relevant variables reflecting postoperative psychosocial functioning. Most studies showed that bariatric surgery does not only lead to substantial weight reduction, but also to improvement or cure of physical as well as psychological co-morbidities. Although most studies are optimistic and report broad psychosocial improvement, a significant minority of patients do not benefit psychologically from surgery. Although there are mixed results, the overall improvements in psychosocial functioning provide additional justification for surgical treatment of morbid obesity.

Bariatric Surgery↗

PubMed2005

Psychosocial predictors of success following bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is the treatment of choice for morbid obesity, but it does not lead to equal results in every patient. In addition to surgery, a number of non-surgical and psychological factors may influence patients' ability to adjust to the postoperative condition. Understanding the relationship between potential predictive variables and success after bariatric surgery will enable better patient selection, and the development of interventions to improve outcome. METHODS: A systematic literature search identified relevant variables, such as demography, preoperative weight, motivation, expectations, eating behavior, psychological functioning, personality, and psychiatric disorders, which may have predictive value for success after bariatric surgery. RESULTS: Greater success following bariatric surgery appears to occur in patients who are young and female, and have a high self-esteem, good mental health, a satisfactory marriage, and high socio-economic status, who are self-critical and cope in a direct and active way, are not too obese, were obese before the age of 18, suffer from and are concerned about their obesity, have realistic expectations and undisturbed eating behaviors. Occasionally, these variables may have poor or no predictive value. Although reliable predictors are lacking, most treatment teams propose their own exclusion criteria. CONCLUSION: The existing literature about potential predictors of success after bariatric surgery is far from conclusive; it is still uncertain which factors can predict success. Even where psychosocial functioning does not predict outcome, it is important to identify patients' characteristics which may be linked to their prognosis and to provide necessary pre- and postoperative psychosocial interventions.

Bariatrics↗

PubMed2004

Psychological profile of the morbidly obese.

BACKGROUND: In the surgical treatment of morbid obesity, surgery on its own represents only one element. In fact, bariatric surgery is a forced behavior modification; in addition to surgery, psychological factors play an important role in its results. Because of the importance of the psychological factors and the possibility to intervene in them, there is a need for a better understanding of morbidly obese patients, especially those who are candidates for bariatric surgery. Thus, this article reviews their psychological profile. METHODS: A systematic literature search identified relevant variables reflecting personality and psychopathology, eating behavior, social problems, and quality of life. RESULTS: Morbidly obese patients are described as depressed, anxious,having poor impulse control, low self-esteem, and impaired quality of life. Dieting, rigid control, and disinhibition characterize their eating behavior. This seems to be especially true for morbidly obese patients seeking surgical treatment for their obesity. CONCLUSION: The existing literature about the characteristics of the morbidly obese is far from conclusive; this may in part be due to the use of poor methods of assessment.

Comorbidity↗