Impact of health literacy and general self-efficacy on surgical outcomes 2 years after bariatric surgery

Abstract

After bariatric surgery, adherence to lifestyle recommendations is crucial. Health literacy and self-efficacy may impact recovery after surgery. In this multicentre study performed in three hospitals in Sweden, we evaluated any relation between preoperative health literacy and general self-efficacy on the one side and weight loss, health-related quality of life, length of stay, and complications up to 2 years after bariatric surgery on the other. Of 686 included patients, 56% (n = 382) had limited functional health literacy, 42% (n = 278) had limited communicative and critical health literacy, and 40% (n = 266) reported low general self-efficacy. Preoperative functional, communicative and critical health literacy, and general self-efficacy were not associated with the degree of weight loss at 1 or 2 years after surgery. However, limited health literacy and low general self-efficacy scores were associated with both reduced quality of life and obesity-related problems postoperatively. Further, a higher proportion of those with inadequate health literacy had a prolonged length of stay. Although patients with limited health literacy and self-efficacy may experience similar maximum weight loss after bariatric surgery as other patients, they still might have reduced health-related quality of life in terms of obesity-related problems. Increased awareness of this association as well as patient-centered support before and after bariatric surgery may be of benefit.