Pessoas em pré-operatório de cirurgia bariátrica: estudo da percepção acerca de sua qualidade de vida

Abstract

Obesity is now considered a public health problem and is an important risk factor for other diseases. This study aimed to identify the socio-demographic, anthropometric, comorbidities and risk factors associated with obesity of people in pre-bariatric surgery; describe the meaning of quality of life for the study participants; identify how the quality of life is affected. We conducted an exploratory study with a qualitative approach and content analysis (thematic analysis), and the data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The participants were fifteen people, 86.6% females and 13.3% males, the age ranged from 21 to 52 years, there has been predominance of high school education level and higher education, 46.6% were public servants and 20% were unemployed, 73.3% are married. Regarding to anthropometric, more than half of participants had BMI from 40 kg/m2, severe obesity, the rest had a BMI between 35 and 39.9 kg/m2, moderate obesity, the waist circumference ranged between 101 cm and 148 cm, 73.3% of participants showed the measure between 121 cm and 148 cm, representing high risk for metabolic disease. Regarding to comorbidities, hypertension, sleep disorder, musculoskeletal and joint diseases or mental-emotional problems are the most common ones. Habits that represent risk factors were: alcoholism, in only 13.3% of the cases and inactivity corresponding to 86.7%. After analyzing the interviews, it were originated seven thematic categories: perception of quality of life: impact of obesity on the physical aspect of QoL, obesity versus self-esteem, obesity versus sex life; effect of obesity inthe professionals and daily living activities, the experience of prejudice for being obese; assessment of quality of life of people in pre-bariatric surgery. The meaning of quality of life was perceived by participants as multidimensional as well understood as a physical, mental and social well being. They perceived their quality of life affected by obesity negatively and unsatisfactory, with desire for change in many aspects as well be related to disease, physical activity, healthy eating, furthering career. Bariatric surgery was described as a hope for change, besides, improvements in quality of life are conditioned to this surgical procedure. It is concluded that there is a need to implement policies of prevention, control, and obesity treatment nationally set up, due to its negative repercussion to life quality