Understanding the Determinants of Weight-Related Quality of Life among Bariatric Surgery Candidates

Physical capacity outcomes in patients with severe obesity after 12 months of physician-led multidisciplinary team care: A case series from a public hospital clinical obesity service

Impaired physical capacity is common in people with severe levels of obesity. We aimed to investigate changes in physical capacity outcomes in patients with severe obesity following 12 months of physician-led multidisciplinary care from a "real world" Australian public hospital setting using a case series study design. We extracted data from medical records for all of the eligible patients referred to our clinical obesity service from 2010 to 2015 (69 of 239). We found significant (P < .05) pre-test/post-test (mean ± SD) improvements in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) (339 ± 120 to 417 ± 112 m); 30-second sit-to-stand test (11 ± 4 to 15 ± 6 counts) and sit-and-reach test (-12 ± 13 to -8 ± 15 cm). Using linear mixed-effects models adjusting for repeated measurements over time (baseline vs 12 months) and testing for potential predictors, we found: mean 6MWT was associated with 12-month time period (56 m), body mass index (BMI, -3 m), no walking aid over 12 months (106 m) and no opioid analgesics (75 m); mean sit-to-stand was associated with 12-month time period (3 counts), age at referral (-0.2 counts), BMI (-0.2 counts), and diabetes (3 counts); and mean sit-and-reach was associated with 12-month time period (5 cm), female gender (5 cm) and total medications (-0.9 cm). Using causal mediation analysis, our results show that total exercise classes partially mediates change in walking capacity among those with cardiovascular disease. Our study shows that significant and clinically important improvements in physical capacity outcomes in patients with severe obesity can be achieved following 12 months of intensive specialist obesity services, such as ours.

Predictors of weight loss at 1 year after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and the role of presurgical quality of life

BACKGROUND

There is uncertainty regarding preoperative predictors of a successful outcome for bariatric surgery (BarSurg), on which to determine appropriateness for such a procedure. Our aims were to identify preoperative clinical and psychosocial predictors of success following BarSurg and to explore the influence of body mass index (BMI) on these parameters.

METHODS

Preoperative data, including Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite (IWQOL-Lite) scores transformed to Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) scores, were accrued from 76 morbidly obese adults awaiting BarSurg. Pre- and postoperative data were also accrued for 26 patients who had completed 1-year follow-up post-bariatric surgery (laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding-LAGB). Statistical analysis was performed to assess the relationships between preoperative HRQOL scores, preoperative BMI and excess weight loss 1 year following BarSurg (EWL-1 year).

RESULTS

Preoperative BMI showed a significant independent, negative linear correlation with the public distress domain of preoperative quality of life (QOL) (r = -0.368, p = 0.001; β = -0.245, p = 0.009). Preoperative BMI had a significant, positive and independent association with EWL-1 year (r = 0.499, p = 0.009; β = 0.679, p = 0.015). Preoperative QOL scores had no association with EWL-1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative BMI appears to predict EWL-1 year following restrictive bariatric surgery (LAGB). Preoperatively, patients with higher BMI appear to manifest greater public distress. Preoperative QOL scores, however, do not appear to have any predictive value for EWL-1 year post-LAGB. Preoperative BMI should therefore be employed as a predictor of EWL-1 year post-LAGB. Other measures of successful outcomes of bariatric surgeries (such as effects on QOL scores at 1 year) should be explored in future, larger and longer term studies.

Impact of physical activity and fitness in class II and III obese individuals: a systematic review

The objective of this systematic review was to appraise current knowledge on the impact of physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) on the health of class II and III obese subjects and bariatric surgery (BS) patients. All original studies were searched using four databases (Medline®, Scopus®, CINAHL and Sportdiscus). Two independent investigators selected studies assessing the impact of PA or PF on specific health outcomes (anthropometric parameters, body composition, cardiometabolic risk factors, PF, wellness) in adults with a body mass index ≥35 kg m(-2) or in BS patients. Conclusions were drawn based on a rating system of evidence. From 3,170 papers identified, 40 papers met the inclusion criteria. The vast majority of studies were recently carried out with a predominance of women. Less than one-third of these studies were experimental and only three of them were of high quality. Each study reported at least one beneficial effect of PA or PF. However, a lack of high-quality studies and heterogeneity in designs prevented us from finding high levels of evidence. In conclusion, although results support the importance of PA and PF to improve the health of this population, higher-quality trials are required to strengthen evidence-based recommendations.