Comparison of 6-min walk test distance vs. estimated maximum oxygen consumption for predicting postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to evaluate the predictive ability of estimated maximum oxygen consumption (e[Formula: see text]O_2max) and 6-min walk distance (6MWD) for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in adult surgical patients undergoing major upper abdominal surgery.

METHOD

This study was conducted by collecting data prospectively from a single center. The two predictive variables in the study were defined as 6MWD and e[Formula: see text]O_2max. Patients scheduled for elective major upper abdominal surgery from March 2019 to May 2021 were included. The 6MWD was measured for all patients before surgery. e[Formula: see text]O_2max was calculated using the regression model of Burr, which uses 6MWD, age, gender, weight, and resting heart rate (HR) to predict aerobic fitness. The patients were categorized into PPC and non-PPC group. The sensitivity, specificity, and optimum cutoff values for 6MWD and e[Formula: see text]O_2max were calculated to predict PPCs. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 6MWD or e[Formula: see text]O_2max was constructed and compared using the Z test. The primary outcome measure was the AUC of 6MWD and e[Formula: see text]O_2max in predicting PPCs. In addition, the net reclassification index (NRI) was calculated to assess ability of e[Formula: see text]O_2max compared with 6MWT in predicting PPCs.

RESULTS

A total of 308 patients were included 71/308 developed PPCs. Patients unable to complete the 6-min walk test (6MWT) due to contraindications or restrictions, or those taking beta-blockers, were excluded. The optimum cutoff point for 6MWD in predicting PPCs was 372.5 m with a sensitivity of 63.4% and specificity of 79.3%. The optimum cutoff point for e[Formula: see text]O_2max was 30.8 ml/kg/min with a sensitivity of 91.6% and specificity of 79.3%. The AUC for 6MWD in predicting PPCs was 0.758 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.694-0.822), and the AUC for e[Formula: see text]O_2max was 0.912 (95%CI: 0.875-0.949). A significantly increased AUC was observed in e[Formula: see text]O_2max compared to 6MWD in predicting PPCs (P < 0.001, Z = 4.713). And compared with 6MWT, the NRI of e[Formula: see text]O_2max was 0.272 (95%CI: 0.130, 0.406).

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that e[Formula: see text]O_2max calculated from the 6MWT is a better predictor of PPCs than 6MWD in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery and can be used as a tool to screen patients at risk of PPCs.

Association of Preoperative Rehabilitation With Postoperative Length of Hospital Stay for Elderly Lung Cancer Patients

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of preoperative rehabilitation on postoperative hospital stay in elderly lung cancer patients following lung resection. This was a retrospective observational study using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database. Data of patients diagnosed between April 2016 and March 2020 were collected. Patients were identified using the International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Health Problems Version 10-10 codes, C34.0-C34.3 and C34.8. Multilevel linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of preoperative rehabilitation on the length of hospital stay. A total of 9,393 patients were included in the study. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative rehabilitation was significantly associated with postoperative length of hospital stay (coefficient: -1.61; 95% confidence interval: -2.42, -0.81; P <0.001). In addition, multivariate analysis showed preoperative rehabilitation to be associated with a significant decrease in postoperative length of hospital stay (coefficient=-1.38; 95% confidence interval: -2.19, -0.58; P =0.001). Preoperative rehabilitation may shorten length of hospital stay in elderly patients with lung cancer.

Supplementation of serum albumin is associated with improved pulmonary function: NHANES 2013–2014

Background: The serum albumin level is reflective of the function of multiple organs, such as the liver and kidneys. However, the association between serum albumin and pulmonary function is unclear; therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between pulmonary function and serum albumin, including the threshold of serum albumin at the changes of the pulmonary function in the total population and in different strata of population.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, We examined the relationship between serum albumin and two independent indicators of pulmonary function: forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1), using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2013–2014) (n = 3286). We used univariate analysis, stratified analysis, and multiple regression equation analysis to examine the correlation between serum albumin levels and FVC and FEV 1, and performed smoothed curve fitting, threshold effect, and saturation effect analysis (for stratification) to determine the threshold serum albumin level at which FVC and FEV 1 begin to change.

Results: The adjusted smoothed curve fit plot showed a linear relationship between serum albu-min levels and FVC: for every 1 g/dl increase in the serum albumin level, FVC increased by 80.40 ml (11.18, 149.61). Serum albumin and FEV 1 showed a non-linear relationship. When serum al-bumin reached the inflection point (3.8 g/dl), FEV 1 increased with increasing serum albumin and the correlation coefficient β was 205.55 (140.15, 270.95).

Conclusion: Serum albumin is a core indicator of liver function, and abnormal liver function has a direct impact on pulmonary function. In the total population, serum albumin levels were linearly and positively correlated with FVC. Above 3.6 g/dl, serum albumin was positively correlated with FEV 1. Based on the total population and different population strata, this study revealed a positive association between the serum albumin level and pulmonary function, and identified the threshold of serum albumin when Indicators of pulmonary function tests starts to rise, providing a new early warning indicator for people at high risk of pulmonary insufficiency and has positive implications for the prevention of combined respiratory failure in patients with liver insufficiency.

Integrating supportive care into the multidisciplinary management of lung cancer: we can't wait any longer

INTRODUCTION

Due to important achievements in terms of diagnostic and therapeutic tools and the complexity of the disease itself, lung cancer management needs a multidisciplinary approach. To date, the classical multidisciplinary team involves different healthcare providers mainly dedicated to lung cancer diagnosis and treatments. Nevertheless, the underlying disease and related treatments significantly impact on patient function and psychological well-being. In this sense, supportive care may offer the best approach to relieve and manage patient symptoms and treatment-related adverse events.

AREAS COVERED

Evidence report that exercise, nutrition, smoking cessation and psychological well-being bring many benefits in patients with lung cancer, from both a physical and socio-psychological points of view, and potentially improving their survival. Nevertheless, supportive care is rarely offered to patients, and even less frequently these needs are discussed within the multidisciplinary meeting.

EXPERT OPINION

Integrating supportive care as part of the standard multidisciplinary approach for lung cancer involves a series of challenges, the first one represented by the daily necessity of specialists, such as kinesiologists, dietitians, psycho-oncologists, able to deliver a personalized approach. In the era of precision medicine this is an essential step forward to guarantee comprehensive and patient-centered care for all patients with lung cancer.

Modifiable factors associated with health-related quality of life among lung cancer survivors following curative intent therapy

OBJECTIVE

The number of lung cancer survivors is increasing along with advances in screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Following curative intent therapy, many lung cancer survivors experience significant health-related quality of life (HRQL) impairments. We sought to identify potentially modifiable factors that contribute to the HRQL of these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional observational study of disease-free, stage I-IIIA lung cancer survivors following curative intent therapy, we used a conceptual model to examine factors that included behavioral, objective functional and physiologic, self-rated function and symptom burden, specific comorbidities, and non-modifiable demographic and clinical lung cancer-related characteristics. We assessed HRQL using the valid and prognostic European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life (QoL) Core 30 global health/QoL subscale. We used univariable and multivariable linear regression modeling with backward elimination of potentially modifiable and non-modifiable factors, and interpreted clinically and statistically significant, consistent, and independent modifiable factors as meaningful.

RESULTS

Among 75 participants at a median of 12 months since treatment completion, the mean (standard deviation) C30 global health/QoL score was 62.7 (23.3) points (0-100 scale range). In multivariable analysis, with and without non-modifiable factors, we identified three clinically and statistically significant, consistent, and independent factors (unstandardized β range) associated with global health/QoL: 1) abnormal exercise-induced dyspnea (-9.23 to -10.0 points); 2) impaired self-rated role function (or inability to perform work or daily activities and pursuing leisure-time activities) (-12.6 to -16.4 points); and 3) abnormal insomnia (or trouble sleeping) (-12.6 to -16.4 points).

CONCLUSION

We identified meaningful modifiable factors associated with the HRQL of disease-free, stage I-IIIA lung cancer survivors following curative intent therapy. Interventions to improve the HRQL of these patients should aim to reduce exercise-induced dyspnea, improve role function - the ability to perform work and other daily including leisure-time activities, and control insomnia.

Partial pressure of oxygen level at admission as a predictor of postoperative pneumonia after hip fracture surgery in a geriatric population: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To identify whether the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO₂) level at admission is an independent risk factor as a prognostic biomarker to predict postoperative pneumonia (POP) in the geriatric population who have undergone hip fracture surgical repair at our hospital.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

This is a retrospective chart review of POP after hip fracture surgery in China.

PARTICIPANTS

In training cohort, patients aged ≥65 years who had hip fracture surgery between 1 January 2018 and 30 November 2019. In the validation cohort, a series of patients who underwent hip fracture surgery between 1 January 2020 and 28 February 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to obtain the area under the ROC curve (AUC) and cut-off values of PaO₂ to predict POP. A binomial logistic regression model was used to identify potential risk factors for POP by analysing demographic distribution factors, laboratory results, preoperative comorbidities and surgical factors. Then the regression model was validated using an independent cohort.

RESULTS

In the training cohort, ROC curves were generated to compare the predictive performance of PaO₂ for the occurrence of POP, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.653 (95% CI 0.577 to 0.729, p<0.0001), with sensitivity and specificity values of 60.0% and 63.8%, respectively. The cut-off value of the PaO₂ for POP was 72.5 mm Hg. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that hypoxaemia (PaO₂ <72.5 mm Hg) at hospital admission (OR=3.000, 95% CI 1.629 to 5.528; p<0.0001) was independent risk factors associated with POP after hip fracture surgery. In the validation cohort, PaO₂ had a predictive effect for POP (AUC 0.71, 95% CI 0.541 to 0.891).

CONCLUSIONS

The current study revealed that the PaO₂ level at hospital admission is a simple and widely available biomarker predictor of POP after hip fracture surgery in elderly patients.

Preoperative paraspinous muscle sarcopenia and physical performance as prognostic indicators in non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Despite the associations of both preoperative sarcopenia and physical performance with post-operative mortality in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), there have been no comprehensive studies of the impact of physical status on prognosis. This study was performed to investigate the prognostic significance of preoperative sarcopenia and physical performance in NSCLC.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was performed in NSCLS patients undergoing curative lung resection at a university hospital between January 2014 and December 2017. The patients were divided into four groups according to the skeletal muscle index [sarcopenia (lowest sex-specific tertile) and non-sarcopenia] and 6 min walking distance (6MWD) [short distance (<400 m) and long distance (≥400 m)]. Sarcopenia was assessed by preoperative cross-sectional areas of right and left paraspinous muscles at the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra from computed tomography images, and physical performance was determined by preoperative 6MWD. The primary and secondary endpoints were post-operative overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

The 587 patients [mean age: 68.5 ± 8.8 years, 399 men (68%)] included in the study were divided into the non-sarcopenia/long-distance group (58%), sarcopenia/long-distance group (26%), non-sarcopenia/short-distance group (9%), and sarcopenia/short-distance group (7%). A total of 109 (18.6%) deaths and 209 (35.6%) combined endpoints were observed over a mean follow-up of 3.1 ± 1.3 years. After adjusting for other covariates, the sarcopenia/short-distance group showed significant associations with shorter OS (hazard ratio, 3.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.79-6.37; P < 0.001) and DFS (hazard ratio, 2.11; 95% confidence, 1.27-3.51; P = 0.004) compared with the non-sarcopenia/long-distance group on multivariate analyses. Although not significant, adding skeletal muscle index and 6MWD to the pre-existing risk model increased the area under the curve on time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for OS and DFS, except within 2 years of surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of both preoperative paraspinous muscle sarcopenia and short distance in 6MWD had an adverse effect on post-operative prognosis in patients with NSCLC, suggesting that preoperative assessment of thoracic sarcopenia and physical performance may be useful for risk stratification of surgical candidates with potential for targeted interventions.

500 Meters Is a Result of 6-Minute Walk Test Which Differentiates Patients with High and Low Risk of Postoperative Complications after Lobectomy-A Validation Study

The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is a simple method of identifying patients with a high risk of postoperative complications. In this study, we internally validated the previously obtained threshold value of 500 m in the 6MWT as differentiating populations with a high and a low risk of postoperative complications after a lobectomy. Between November 2011 and November 2016, 624 patients who underwent a lobectomy and performed the 6MWT preoperatively entered this study. We compared the complication rates of two groups of patients—those who walked more than and those who walked less than 500 m. The patients who did not reach the distance of 500 m in the 6MWT were older (70 vs. 63 years p < 0.001), had worse pulmonary function tests (FEV1% 84 vs. 88 p = 0.041) and had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (p < 0.001). The patients who had a worse result in the 6MWT had a higher complication rate (52% vs. 42% p = 0.019; OR: 1.501 95% CI: 1.066–2.114) and a longer median postoperative hospital stay (7 vs. 6 days p = 0.010). In a multivariate analysis, the result of the 6MWT and pack-years proved to independently influence the risk of postoperative complications. This internal validation study confirms that 500 m is a result of the 6MWT which differentiates patients with a higher risk of postoperative complications and a prolonged hospital stay after a lobectomy.

Exercise prehabilitation in lung cancer: Getting stronger to recover faster

Despite several recent advances, lung cancer surgery is still associated with potentially severe postoperative complications. It has been suggested that preoperative exercise training could render patients with borderline functional parameters eligible for surgery, improve perioperative outcomes and that these benefits might reduce healthcare costs. Nevertheless, given the substantial heterogeneity of the available studies, no specific guidelines for preoperative exercise training have been released so far. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of the potential benefits of exercise training in the preoperative period as a central intervention for lung cancer patients. In detail, the effects of exercise (with different regimens) were evaluated in terms of physical functions, patients' eligibility for curative surgery, postoperative complications and length of stay, with an exploratory focus on healthcare costs and long-term outcomes. Furthermore, a feasible approach for every-day clinical practice is proposed in order to increase the expected benefit deriving from a more extensive and methodical application of prehabilitation exercise, ideally in the context of a comprehensive approach to lung cancer patients, including nutritional and psychological support.

Is it Possible to Use the Timed Performance Tests in Lung Transplantation Candidates to Determine the Exercise Capacity?

OBJECTIVES

Lung transplantation (LTx) candidates have severe exercise intolerance. This makes it difficult for them to complete the field tests used to determine the exercise capacity of patients. Therefore, there is a need for alternative tests that require less effort. We aimed to investigate the use of short-timed performance tests instead of 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in the determination of exercise capacity in LTx.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 63 LTx candidates were included in the study. Ten-meter walking speed test (10MWT), 5-times sit-to-stand test (5XSST), 6MWT were performed at one-hour intervals within the same day, and by the same physiotherapist in all patients. Maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory pressure (MEP), peripheral muscle strengths, pulmonary function tests, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded for each patient.

RESULTS

The subjects' baseline mean 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) was 336m, 5XSST time was 11.59 sec, and 10MWT time was 8.45sec. There was a negative and moderate correlation between 6MWD and 10MWT (p<0.001, r=0.449). Similarly there was a negative but weak correlation between 6MWD and 5XSST (p=0.001, r=0.397). In addition, there was a strong relationship between 5XSST and 10MWT (p<0.001, r=0.767).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that 6MWT and short-timed performance tests were correlated in terms of exercise capacity assessment. In contrast, there was a strong relationship between 6MWT and 10MWT according to 6MWT and 5XSST. The timed performance tests may be alternative tests to determine exercise capacity in LTx candidates.

Effects of curative-intent lung cancer therapy on functional exercise capacity and patient-reported outcomes

PURPOSE

Lung cancer treatment can lead to negative health consequences. We analyzed the effects of curative-intent lung cancer treatment on functional exercise capacity (EC) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

METHODS

We performed a prospective, observational cohort study of consecutive patients with stage I-IIIA lung cancer undergoing curative-intent therapy and assessed functional EC (primary outcome, six-minute walk distance (6MWD)), cancer-specific quality of life (QoL) (secondary outcome, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30) summary score), and exploratory outcomes including dyspnea (University of California San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (UCSD SOBQ)) and fatigue Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI)) symptoms before and at 1 to 3 months post-treatment. We analyzed the time effect of treatment on outcomes using multivariable generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

In 35 enrolled participants, treatment was associated with a clinically meaningful and borderline-significant decline in functional EC ((mean change, 95% CI) 6MWD = - 25.4 m (- 55.3, + 4.47), p = 0.10), clinically meaningful and statistically significant higher dyspnea (UCSD SOBQ = + 13.1 (+ 5.7, + 20.6), p = 0.001) and fatigue (BFI = + 10.0 (+ 2.9, + 17.0), p = 0.006), but no clinically meaningful or statistically significant change in cancer-specific QoL (EORTC-QLQ-C30 summary score = - 3.4 (- 9.8, + 3.0), p = 0.30).

CONCLUSIONS

Among the first prospective analysis of the effect of curative-intent lung cancer treatment on functional EC and PROs, we observed worsening dyspnea and fatigue, and possibly a decline in functional EC but not cancer-specific QoL at 1 to 3 months post-treatment. Interventions to reduce treatment-related morbidities and improve lung cancer survivorship may need to focus on reducing dyspnea, fatigue, and/or improving functional EC.

Short-Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score is associated with postoperative pulmonary complications in elderly patients undergoing lung resection surgery: A prospective multicenter cohort study

Elderly patients awaiting lung resection surgery often have poor physical function, which puts them at a high risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of preoperative physical performance on postoperative pulmonary complications in patients awaiting lung resection surgery. In this prospective multicenter cohort study, the characteristics of patients and postoperative pulmonary complications were compared between subjects with low (<10) and high (≥10) Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores. Postoperative pulmonary complications were defined as over grade II in Clavien-Dindo classification system. We estimated the effects of physical performance on postoperative pulmonary complications using multivariable hierarchical logistic regression. The postoperative pulmonary complications were compared between 331 patients in the high and 33 patients in the low SPPB group. Patients in the low SPPB score group had a significantly higher rate of postoperative pulmonary complications (p < 0.001). Low SPPB score was associated with a higher risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (odds ratio, 8.80; p < 0.001). The SPPB is a clinically useful evaluation tool to assess surgical patients’ physical performance. The low physical performance indicated by the SPPB may be predictive of postoperative pulmonary complications after lung resection surgery.

Trial registration: Clinical Trials. University hospital Medical Information Network Center (UMIN-CTR) UMIN000021875.

Preoperative six-minute walk distance as a predictor of postoperative complication in patients with esophageal cancer

Surgery for esophageal cancer is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Reduced pulmonary functions and exercise capacity are known as risk factors for complications after esophagectomy. The 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) measured by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a simple field test that can be used to evaluate the functional exercise capacity of patients who undergo thoracic surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the preoperative 6MWD with postoperative complications in patients with esophageal cancer. Records of a total of 111 patients who underwent thoracic surgery followed by postoperative rehabilitation from January 2013 to December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Data of patients who experienced Clavien-Dindo grade II or severer (grade ≥ II) complications were compared with those who experienced grade ≤I complications. The 6MWD was significantly correlated with age, serum albumin concentration, hemoglobin concentration, and hand grip strength. A total of 42 patients experienced grade ≥II. The 6MWD of patients with grade ≥ II complications was significantly shorter than that of those with grade ≤I complications. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, 6MWD ≤ 454 m was a threshold for predicting grade ≥II complications with 71.0% sensitivity and 54.8% specificity. The incidence of grade ≥II complications led to delayed ambulation and longer stays in hospital. In the multiple regression analysis, the preoperative risk factors for incidence of grade ≥II complications included lower levels of preoperative 6MWD and % of the predicted value of forced expiratory volume in 1 second. Our results indicate that the 6MWT is useful to assess preoperative physical status in patients with esophageal cancer.

Seasonal Variation in Physical Activity among Preoperative Patients with Lung Cancer Determined Using a Wearable Device

We aim to examine how season and temperature levels affect physical activity using a wearable device among patients scheduled to undergo surgical resection of lung cancer. Physical activity (PA) data from the wearable device were analyzed by seasons for 555 preoperative lung cancer patients from the CATCH-LUNG cohort study. The seasons were divided into spring, summer, autumn, and winter using the study enrollment date before surgery. The overall mean (SD) age was 61.1 (8.9) years, and the mean (SD) daily steps at each season were 11,438 (5922), 11,147 (5065), 10,404 (4403), and 8548 (4293), respectively. In the fully-adjusted models, patients in the winter season had 27.04% fewer daily steps (95% CI = -36.68%, -15.93%) and 35.22% less time spent performing moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared to patients in the spring. The proportion of participants with over 8000 steps and duration of MVPA were significantly lower in the winter than the spring. In particular, daily steps had a negative linear association with wind chill temperature in patients who lived in Seoul. In conclusion, PA was significantly lower in the winter and it was more robust in patients who had a low cardiorespiratory function.

Preoperative Serum Albumin Level As A Predictor Of Postoperative Pneumonia After Femoral Neck Fracture Surgery In A Geriatric Population

Purpose

Femoral neck fracture usually occurs in the geriatric population. Postoperative pneumonia (POP) is known to be devastated, and it is the most frequent complication among patients receiving surgical treatment for femoral neck fractures. However, whether patients who have hypoalbuminaemia are susceptible to the development of POP is a serious concern, although it has not been investigated. We attempted to investigate the association between newly developed POP and hypoalbuminaemia and to identify whether hypoalbuminaemia is an independent risk factor for POP after femoral neck fracture in geriatric population.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records from the first 30 days after surgery of patients who were ≥65 years of age and who had a femoral neck fracture treated with surgery between January 2018 and December 2018 at the Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they did or did not experience POP, and their clinical characteristics were compared. Binomial logistic regression was used to identify potential risk factors of POP by analysing demographic factors, preoperative comorbidities, laboratory results, and surgical factors.

Results

A total of 720 patients were included in the analysis, and 54 patients experienced POP. The incidence of POP after surgical treatment for a femoral neck fracture in this geriatric population was 7.5%. In addition, patients with POP had significantly longer hospital stays than patients without POP. The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that preoperative hypoalbuminaemia [odds ratio =5.187, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.561–10.506, P<0.0001], COPD (OR =3.819, 95% CI: 1.247–11.701, P=0.019), prior stroke (OR =3.107, 95% CI: 1.470–6.568, P=0.003) and the time from injury to surgery (OR =1.076, 95% CI: 1.034–1.119, P<0.0001) were predominant and independent risk factors associated with POP after femoral neck fracture in this geriatric population.

Conclusion

The current study revealed that among a geriatric population admitted for femoral neck fracture surgery, preoperative hypoalbuminaemia was a predictor of POP, followed by COPD, prior stroke and the time from injury to surgery. Thus, patients who undergo femoral neck fracture surgery and have preoperative hypoalbuminaemia should receive additional monitoring and perioperative care.

Desaturation during Six-Minute Walk Testing Predicts Major Morbidity Following Anatomic Lung Resection among Patients with COPD

Background: Pulmonary function testing (PFT) is commonly used to risk-stratify patients prior to lung resection. Guidelines recommend that patients with reduced lung function, due to chronic lung conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), should receive additional physiologic testing to determine fitness for resection. We reviewed our experience with six-minute walk testing (SMWT) to determine the association of test results and post-operative complications. Methods: Consecutive adult patients undergoing segmentectomy, lobectomy, bilobectomy or pneumonectomy between 1 January, 2007 and 1 January, 2017 were identified in a prospectively maintained database. Patients with poor lung function, as defined by percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) or diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) ≤60%, had results of SMWT extracted from their chart. Association of test result to post-operative events was performed. Results: 581 patients had anatomic lung resections with predicted post-operative FEV1 or DLCO values ≤60%, consistent with a diagnosis of COPD. Among them, 50 (8.6%) had preoperative SMWT performed. Patients who received SMWT were more likely to have a FEV1 or DLCO less than 40 percent predicted (24/50 (48.0%) vs 166/531 (31.3%), p = 0.016). Post-operatively, patients who had SMWT performed had higher rates of pneumonia, but similar rates of major morbidity. The post-exercise oxygen saturation and the amount of desaturation correlated with the occurrence of major morbidity. In multivariable regression, oxygen desaturation was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of major morbidity, and desaturation was an excellent predictor of major morbidity by receiver operating characteristic curves analsysis. Conclusions: Among patients with elevated risk, oxygen desaturation during SMWT was independently associated with the occurence of major morbidity in multivariable analysis, while pulmonary function testing was not. SMWT is an important tool for risk-stratification, and may be underutilized.

Effect of combination of pre- and postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation on onset of postoperative pneumonia: a retrospective cohort study based on data from the diagnosis procedure combination database in Japan

BACKGROUND

To examine the effect of rehabilitation on postoperative pulmonary complication when it is conducted in combination of both before and after lung cancer surgery, as compared with either before or after surgery and no rehabilitation.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to examine the effect of rehabilitation before and after lung cancer surgery on the causes of postoperative pneumonia. Data were collected from the diagnosis procedure combination (DPC) database. Patients admitted who received operative treatment for a new primary (ICD codes: C34) were selected. The inclusion criteria were patients who had pneumonectomy, malignant tumor surgery for the lung (thoracotomy), or thoracoscopic surgery (endoscopic; treatment code: K511-00, K513-00~03, and K514-00, 02). The exclusion criteria were patients who had a lung transplantation (treatment code: K514-03~06), suspected diagnosis, and a pneumonia within 3 months before being diagnosed as having lung cancer. Main outcome was onset of postoperative pneumonia.

RESULTS

Among 76,739 lung cancer patients, 15,146 who underwent lung cancer surgery were included in the analysis. In the combination of pre- and postoperative group, as compared with the preoperative [odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8, 1.8-4.4], postoperative (1.9, 1.6-2.3), and no rehabilitation group (2.5, 2.1-2.8), the onset of pneumonia was less frequent.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination of preoperative and postoperative rehabilitations significantly prevents postoperative pneumonia as compared with having preoperative, postoperative, or no rehabilitation.