Only outcomes of the IWQoL , SF-36 and OWQoL show QoL outcomes that exceed community norms .
The QoL is increased after bariatric surgery on both the short and long term .
However , due to the heterogeneity of the studies and the generality of the question naires is it hard to make a distinction between different surgeries and difficult to see a relation with medical profit .
Currently the effects of bariatric surgery are generally expressed in excess weight loss or comorbidity reduction .
Therefore the aim of this review was to provide insight in the available prospect i ve evidence regarding the short and long-term effects of bariatric surgery on Quality of Life ( QoL ) and a comparison with community norms .
A new approach to multicultural item generation in the development of two obesity-specific measures: the Obesity and Weight Loss Quality of Life (OWLQOL) questionnaire and the Weight-Related Symptom Measure (WRSM).
BACKGROUND Being overweight or obese has substantial effects on individuals ' perceptions of their health and quality of life ( QoL ) . Generic measures often miss important QoL information , and existing obesity-specific instruments have shortcomings with respect to cross-cultural input , application to differing levels of severity , conceptual clarity , and patient burden . OBJECTIVE This study aim ed to develop culturally sensitive measures of QoL and symptoms in overweight or obese persons , both those trying to lose weight and those not trying to lose weight . METHODS Currently accepted criteria and guidelines for question naire development were streamlined and augmented to include cross-cultural input from 5 European countries and the United States . The preliminary pool of items was created based on qualitative interviews conducted in the United States , followed by an early check of item translatability and preharmonization across all language s. Ten additional qualitative in-country interviews were then conducted to produce further culture-specific items . This was followed by 2 forward and 1 backward translation , plus cognitive debriefing interviews in each country . Finally , an exp and ed international harmonization meeting was held to ensure inclusion of appropriate new items and their acceptability across all 6 cultures . RESULTS The procedures described result ed in development of the 41-item Obesity and Weight Loss Quality of Life question naire and the 20-item Weight-Related Symptom Measure . These question naires are subject to further psychometric validation . CONCLUSIONS Augmentation of the initial item-generation and international harmonization steps of question naire development through integration of cross-cultural input allowed greater validity of cross-cultural content while meeting time , budget , and re source constraints
Only outcomes of the IWQoL , SF-36 and OWQoL show QoL outcomes that exceed community norms .
The QoL is increased after bariatric surgery on both the short and long term .
However , due to the heterogeneity of the studies and the generality of the question naires is it hard to make a distinction between different surgeries and difficult to see a relation with medical profit .
Currently the effects of bariatric surgery are generally expressed in excess weight loss or comorbidity reduction .
Therefore the aim of this review was to provide insight in the available prospect i ve evidence regarding the short and long-term effects of bariatric surgery on Quality of Life ( QoL ) and a comparison with community norms .