Improvement of dyspnea after bariatric surgery is associated with increased Expiratory Reserve Volume: A prospective follow-up study of 45 patients

Obesity Impact on Dyspnea in COPD Patients

Background

The role of obesity on dyspnea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients remains unclear. We aimed to provide an assessment of dyspnea in COPD patients according to their Body Mass Index (BMI) and to investigate the impact of obesity on dyspnea according to COPD severity.

Methods

One hundred and twenty seven COPD patients with BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m² (63% male, median (interquartile range) post bronchodilator forced expiratory volume of 1 second (post BD FEV1) at 51 (34-66) % pred) were consecutively included. Dyspnea was assessed by mMRC (Modified medical research council) scale. Lung function tests were recorded, and emphysema was quantified on CT-scan (computed tomography-scan).

Results

Twenty-five percent of the patients were obese (BMI ≥ 30kg/m²), 66% of patients experienced disabling dyspnea (mMRC ≥ 2). mMRC scores did not differ depending on BMI categories (2 (1-3) for normal weight, 2 (1-3) 1 for overweight and 2 (1-3) for obese patients; p = 0.71). Increased mMRC scores (0-1 versus 2-3 versus 4) were associated with decreased post BD-FEV1 (p < 0.01), higher static lung hyperinflation (inspiratory capacity/total lung capacity (IC/TLC), p < 0.01), reduced DLCO (p < 0.01) and higher emphysema scores (p < 0.01). Obese patients had reduced static lung hyperinflation (IC/TLC p < 0.01) and lower emphysema scores (p < 0.01) than non-obese patients. mMRC score increased with GOLD grades (1-2 versus 3-4) in non-obese patients but not in obese patients, in association with a trend towards reduced static lung hyperinflation and lower emphysema scores.

Conclusion

By contrast with non-obese patients, dyspnea did not increase with spirometric GOLD grades in obese patients. This might be explained by a reduced lung hyperinflation related to the mechanical effects of obesity and a less severe emphysema in severe COPD patients with obesity.

Management of obesity across women's life course: FIGO Best Practice Advice

Obesity is a chronic, progressive, relapsing, and treatable multifactorial, neurobehavioral disease. According to the World Health Organization, obesity affects 15% of women and has long-term effects on women's health. The focus of care in patients with obesity should be on optimizing health outcomes rather than on weight loss. Appropriate and common language, considering cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed care, is needed to discuss obesity. Pregnancy is a time of significant physiological change. Pre-, ante-, and postpartum clinical encounters provide opportunities for health optimization for parents with obesity in terms of, but not limited to, fertility and breastfeeding. Pre-existing conditions may also be identified and managed. Beyond pregnancy, women with obesity are at an increased risk for gastrointestinal and liver diseases, impaired kidney function, obstructive sleep apnea, and venous thromboembolism. Gynecological and reproductive health of women living with obesity cannot be dismissed, with accommodations needed for preventive health screenings and consideration of increased risk for gynecologic malignancies. Mental wellness, specifically depression, should be screened and managed appropriately. Obesity is a complex condition and is increasing in prevalence with failure of public health interventions to achieve significant decrease. Future research efforts should focus on interprofessional care and discovering effective interventions for health optimization.

Contribution of obesity to breathlessness in a large nationally representative sample of Australian adults

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Breathlessness is prevalent and associated with medical consequences. Obesity is related to breathlessness. However, the magnitude of its contribution has not been clearly documented. This investigation aimed to determine the contribution of obesity to breathlessness by estimating the population attributable fraction (PAF) in a representative sample of Australian adults.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of Australian residents aged ≥18 years was conducted in October 2019. Breathlessness was defined as modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale grade ≥2. BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight. Adjusted relative risks (aRRs) were estimated using a generalized linear model with Poisson distribution, adjusted for age group and/or participant-reported diagnosed illnesses. Adjusted PAFs were estimated using aRR and obesity prevalence in Australian adults.

RESULTS

Among those who completed the National Breathlessness Survey, 9769 participants (51.4% female) were included in the analysis; 28.1% of participants were obese. The prevalence of breathlessness was 9.54%. The aRR of obesity for breathlessness was 2.04, adjusted for age. Adjusting for various co-morbid conditions, the aRR was slightly attenuated to around 1.85-1.98. The PAF, adjusted only for age, was 24.6% (95% CI 20.1-29.1) and after further adjustment for co-morbid conditions, the PAF ranged from 21.1% to 23.6%. Obesity accounted for a higher proportion of breathlessness in women than in men.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that obesity accounts for around a quarter of breathlessness symptoms in Australian adults. This has important implications for health policy in light of the global trend in increasing obesity.

Improvements of lung volumes and respiratory symptoms after weight loss through laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the improvement of respiratory function and airway volumes using spirometry and computed tomography (CT) in severely obese Japanese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). We also evaluated the quality of life (QOL) of enrolled patients using questionnaires.

METHODS

A total of 71 patients who underwent LSG at Iwate Medical University Hospital between October 2013 and September 2020 were enrolled. The changes and relationships between respiratory parameters including CT volumetry and weight-loss effects were evaluated. Improvements to QOL and bronchial asthma (BA) were also assessed before LSG and 1 year after LSG.

RESULTS

The mean excess weight loss percentage (%EWL) and total weight loss percentage (%TWL) were measured at 55.1% and 26.1%, respectively. The attack frequency of BA significantly decreased (6.1/month vs. 1.5/month; P < 0.001), and the disease severity decreased according to severity classification (P = 0.032). Almost spirometric parameters, lung volume (LV) (4905.0 mL vs. 5490.3 mL; P < 0.001), and airway volume (AV) (108.6 mL vs. 119.3 mL; P = 0.022) significantly improved. The change of functional residual capacity (FRC) was correlated with both %EWL (ρ = 0.69, P < 0.001) and %TWL (ρ = 0.62, P < 0.001). The increase of LV (ρ = 0.79, P < 0.001) and AV (ρ = 0.69, P < 0.001) were correlated with the increase of FRC. Scores of QOL questionnaires dramatically became better owing to improvements in dyspnea.

CONCLUSION

Weight loss effects and the reduction of body fat mass correlated significantly with increase in LV and AV. Improvements of respiratory functions after LSG contributes to QOL and BA symptoms.

Association between obesity-related dyspnea in daily living, lung function and body composition analyzed by DXA: a prospective study of 130 patients

Background

Obesity is a risk factor for dyspnea. However, investigations of daily living obesity-related dyspnea are limited and its mechanisms remain unclear. We conducted a cross-sectional study to analyze the relationships between dyspnea in daily living, lung function, and body composition in patients with obesity.

Methods

One-hundred and thirty patients (103 women/27 men), candidate for bariatric surgery, with a mean ± SD Body Mass Index (BMI) of 44.8 ± 6.8 kg/m² were included. Dyspnea was assessed by the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale. Comorbidities, laboratory parameters, pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gases, six-minute walk test (6MWT), handgrip strength, and DXA body composition were analyzed.

Results

Thirty-one percent of patients exhibited disabling dyspnea in daily living (mMRC ≥ 2). Compared with patients without disabling dyspnea (mMRC < 2), significant dyspnea (mMRC ≥ 2) was associated with a lower 6MWT distance (395 ± 103 m vs 457 ± 73 m, p < 0.001), lower lung volumes including Expiratory Reserve Volume (42 ± 28% vs 54 ± 27%, p = 0.024), Vital Capacity (95 ± 14 vs 106 ± 15%, p < 0.001) and Forced expiratory volume in one second (95 ± 13 vs 105 ± 15%, p = 0.002), a higher BMI (48.2 ± 7.7 vs 43.2 ± 5.7 kg/m², p = 0.001) and a higher percentage of fat mass in the trunk (46 ± 5 vs 44 ± 5 p = 0.012) and android region (52 ± 4 vs 51 ± 4%, p = 0.024). There was no difference regarding comorbidities (except hypertension), laboratory parameters, and sarcopenia markers between patients with (mMRC ≥ 2) and without (mMRC < 2) disabling dyspnea.

Conclusion

Dyspnea in patients with obesity is associated with a reduction in lung volumes and a higher percentage of fat mass in central body regions. How dyspnea and body composition may change with interventions like physical activity or bariatric surgery remains to be investigated.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-022-01884-5.

Impact of 30° Reserve Trendelenburg Position on Lung Function in Morbidly Obese Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of patients' positioning before and after intubation with mechanical ventilation, and after extubation on the lung function and blood oxygenation of patients with morbid obesity, who had a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Methods

Patients with morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², ASA I – II grade) who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at our hospital from June 2018 to January 2019 were enrolled in this prospective study. Before intubation, after intubation with mechanical ventilation, and after extubation, arterial blood was collected for blood oxygenation and gas analysis after posturing the patients at supine position or 30° reverse Trendelenburg position (30°-RTP).

Results

A total of 15 patients with morbid obesity were enrolled in this self-compared study. Pulmonary shunt (Qs/Qt) after extubation was significantly lower at 30°-RTP (18.82 ± 3.60%) compared to that at supine position (17.13 ± 3.10%, p < 0.01). Patients' static lung compliance (Cstat), during mechanical ventilation, was significantly improved at 30°-RTP (36.8 ± 6.7) compared to that of those in a supine position (33.8 ± 7.3, p < 0.05). The PaO₂ and oxygen index (OI) before and after intubation with mechanical ventilation were significantly higher at 30°-RTP compared to that at supine position, and in contrast, the P_A−aO₂ before and after intubation with mechanical ventilation was significantly reduced at 30°-RTP compared to that at supine position.

Conclusion

During and after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, patients with morbid obesity had improved lung function, reduced pulmonary shunt, reduced P_A−aO₂ difference, and increased PaO₂ and oxygen index at 30°-RTP compared to that supine position.

Increased Cardiopulmonary Fitness Is Associated with a Greater Reduction in Depression among People Who Underwent Bariatric Surgery

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of changes in cardiopulmonary fitness on the mental health of patients with severe obesity who underwent gastric bypass surgery (prior to and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery). Study participants were recruited from among patients of a regional hospital in Czechia who underwent gastric bypass surgery between April 2018 and October 2019. They were eligible if they (a) were between 18 and 65 years old, (b) provided written informed consent, and (c) were able to walk independently. Twenty-six patients (age 45.4 ± 9.0 years, body mass index 45.1 ± 7.4 kg·m⁻², body fat 43.8 ± 4.8%) were included in the analysis. The key finding revealed that the greater the increase in cardiopulmonary fitness (i.e., longer distance walked in the six-minute walk test, 6MWT), the better the improvement in depression score among patients who underwent bariatric surgery. In particular, increments of 10 m in the 6MWT lead to the improvement of 0.5 points on the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. As the main implication, these results suggest that patients should participate in exercise training programs to increase their fitness status for optimal physical and mental outcomes of bariatric surgery.

Obesity and the Lung: What We Know Today

Obesity is becoming more and more prevalent especially in Western industrial nations. The understanding of adipose tissue as an endocrine organ as well as the detection of adipocytokines - hormones that are secreted from the adipose tissue - gave reason to examine the interactions between adipose tissue and target organs. These efforts have been intensified especially in the context of bariatric surgery as promising weight loss therapy. Interactions between the lung and adipose tissue have rarely been investigated and are not well understood. There are obvious mechanical effects of obesity on lung function explaining the associations between obesity and lung diseases, in particular obesity hypoventilation syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The rise in the prevalence of obesity affects the epidemiology of pulmonary diseases as well. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on interactions, associations, and consequences of obesity and weight loss on lung function and lung diseases. Based on these data, areas for future research are identified.

A single tertiary centre outlook on the short-term outcome of bariatric surgery in improving pulmonary parameters and sleep apnoea

Background:

Obesity is associated with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Weight loss is an effective treatment. Bariatric surgery for obese, symptomatic OSA patients results in weight loss and improvement in lung function and sleep apnoea. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of bariatric surgery in improving the respiratory mechanics and sleep apnoea using a lung function test and sleep study.

Methods:

A prospective study was conducted at the Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre involving adults undergoing bariatric work-up, attending respiratory clinic or admitted for bariatric work-up. We included subjects with a body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m2 and Apnoea–Hypopnoea Index (AHI) of >5 events/hour. Subjects were assessed at baseline and at 12±2 weeks post bariatric surgery using the following methods: a partial sleep study, lung function test, six-minute walk test (6MWT) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score.

Results:

Twelve subjects were analysed. Their mean age was 36±5.7 years, and eight (67%) were female. The baseline mean AHI was 24.75±9.51 events/hour, the nadir mean oxygen saturation during sleep (SpO2) was 83.6±3.8%, the mean ESS score was 16±4, the mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 2.66±0.35 L, the mean forced vital capacity (FVC) was 3.23±0.45 L, the mean total lung capacity (TLC) was 4.97±1.19 L, the mean expiratory reserve volume (ERV) was 0.5±0.46 L, the mean residual volume (RV) was 1.46±0.91 L, the mean adjusted diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO Adj) was 22.71±5.22 mL/mmHg/min, the mean adjusted diffusing lung capacity corrected for alveolar volume (DLVA Adj) was 5.61±0.90 mL/mmHg/min and the mean 6MWT was 293±49 m. Post surgery (12±2 weeks), the mean BMI decreased from 45.5 kg/m2 to 39.7 kg/m2, with a clinically significant improvement in AHI, ESS score, nadir SpO2, FEV1, FVC, TLC, ERV, RV, DLCO Adj, DLVA Adj and 6MWT ( p<0.05).

Conclusion:

Bariatric surgery improves sleep apnoea and lung function and reduces daytime somnolence.

[Obesity and asthma: Mechanisms and therapeutic options]

Asthma and obesity are both common conditions, which lead to a substantial public health burden. The obese-asthma phenotype is characterized by poor asthma control, impaired lung function and decreased efficacy of inhaled treatment. However, this phenotype is highly heterogeneous and involves numerous mechanisms, including systemic inflammation and adipokines. A role for microbiota modifications and genetics has been suggested. Obese-asthma patient management currently consists in weight loss and usual anti-asthmatic treatment. New therapeutic options are being evaluated.

Differences Between COPD Patients of a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program According to the mMRC Dyspnea Scale

Background:

The modified Medical Research Council scale (mMRC) is a standardized measure of the effect of dyspnea on the activities of the daily life of patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to determine the differences in the quality of life, tolerance to effort and symptoms among patients with COPD with lower (mMRC 0-1) and greater symptoms (mMRC ≥2).

Methods:

Cross-sectional study that included patients admitted to a pulmonary rehabilitation program and who were classified into 2 groups: a group containing the less symptomatic patients and another group with the more symptomatic ones. We collected these patients’ sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, anxiety, depression and quality of life (SGRQ) data. Likewise, the subjects performed the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Finally, we measured the multidimensional BODE index score.

Results:

130 subjects were included, 35 presenting an mMRC of 0 to1 and 95 having an mMRC ≥ 2, with an age of 70.87 ± 9.45 years old. The 6MWT distance, the VO2e, the total score of SGRQ, and its domains of activities and impact showed significant differences between the groups (p <0.05). Significant correlations were found in the group presenting an mMRC of 0-1 between the mMRC and the FEV1 (p = 0.028), and in the group with an mMRC ≥2 for the FVC (p = 0.031), the 6MWT distance (p = 0.000), the VO2e (p = 0.010) and the BODE index (p = 0.000).

Conclusion:

Patients with an mMRC of 0 to1 had better results in the 6MWT, the VO2e and the SGRQ in comparison with the most symptomatic ones.

The association of body mass index, weight gain and central obesity with activity-related breathlessness: the Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study

Introduction

Breathlessness is common in the population, especially in women and associated with adverse health outcomes. Obesity (body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2) is rapidly increasing globally and its impact on breathlessness is unclear.

Methods

This population-based study aimed primarily to evaluate the association of current BMI and self-reported change in BMI since age 20 with breathlessness (modified Research Council score ≥1) in the middle-aged population. Secondary aims were to evaluate factors that contribute to breathlessness in obesity, including the interaction with spirometric lung volume and sex.

Results

We included 13 437 individuals; mean age 57.5 years; 52.5% women; mean BMI 26.8 (SD 4.3); mean BMI increase since age 20 was 5.0 kg/m2; and 1283 (9.6%) reported breathlessness. Obesity was strongly associated with increased breathlessness, OR 3.54 (95% CI, 3.03 to 4.13) independent of age, sex, smoking, airflow obstruction, exercise level and the presence of comorbidities. The association between BMI and breathlessness was modified by lung volume; the increase in breathlessness prevalence with higher BMI was steeper for individuals with lower forced vital capacity (FVC). The higher breathlessness prevalence in obese women than men (27.4% vs 12.5%; p<0.001) was related to their lower FVC. Irrespective of current BMI and confounders, individuals who had increased in BMI since age 20 had more breathlessness.

Conclusion

Breathlessness is independently associated with obesity and with weight gain in adult life, and the association is stronger for individuals with lower lung volumes.

Reference values for pulmonary volumes by plethysmography in a Brazilian sample of white adults

OBJECTIVE

To derive reference values for healthy white Brazilian adults who have never smoked and to compare the obtained values with reference values derived by Crapo and by Neder.

METHODS

Reference equations by quantile regressions were derived in 122 men and 122 women, non-obese, living in seven cities in Brazil. Age ranged from 21 to 92 years in women and from 25 to 88 years in men. Lung function tests were performed using SensorMedics automated body plethysmographies according ATS/ERS recommendations. Lower and upper limits were derived by specific equations for 5 and 95 percentiles. The results were compared to those suggested by Crapo in 1982, and Neder in 1999.

RESULTS

Median values for total lung capacity (TLC) were influenced only by stature in men, and by stature and age in women. Residual volume was influenced by age and stature in both genders. Weight was directly related to inspiratory capacity and inversely with functional residual capacity and expiratory reserve volume in both genders. A comparison of observed TLC data with values predicted by Neder equations showed significant lower values by the present data. Mean values were similar between data from present study and those derived by Crapo.

CONCLUSION

New predicted values for lung volumes were obtained in a sample of white Brazilians. The values differ from those derived by Neder, but are similar to those derived by Crapo.