Impact of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Risk Factors Associated with Its Occurrence Based Upon Quality of Life

Background To assess the impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and to determine factors associated with the occurrence of post-LSG GERD symptoms. Material and Methods This is a retrospective study that included all obese patients who underwent LSG in Aseer Central Hospital, during the period from August 2017 to August 2019. GERD-Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaire was used to assess the patients’ pre- and postoperative GERD symptoms and their satisfaction toward their general health. Results The study included 326 patients (195 males and 131 females) with a mean age of 39.43 ± 11.17 years. Postoperatively, GERD symptoms newly developed in 105 patients (32.2%), while 25 patients out of 127 with preoperative GERD symptoms (19.69%) showed resolution of symptoms. There were significant associations ( p < 0.001) between the old age, smoking and existence of comorbidities, and the occurrence of postoperative heartburn and regurgitation symptoms. Postoperatively, excess weight loss (EWL) was significantly associated with postoperative regurgitation ( p = 0.045) and patients showed significant improvement in their satisfaction toward their health condition even those who developed GERD symptoms. Conclusions After LSG, GERD symptoms developed in about one-third of the patients while symptoms improved in only one-fifth of patients. Older patients, smokers, patients with comorbidities, and patients with more EWL had significantly worse GERD symptoms postoperatively. Weight loss rather than GERD symptoms significantly influenced patients’ satisfaction toward their general health. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the relationship between weight loss and other factors associated with post-LSG reflux and overall quality of life. Graphical abstract