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Spirometric Function Improves in the Morbidly Obese After 1-Year Post-surgery

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Abstract

Background

Obesity can negatively affect pulmonary function tests, with or without clinical symptoms, but the impact of bariatric weight loss is still debated. Aiming to document such profile in a consecutive homogeneous population, a prospective cohort study was undertaken.

Methods

Sixty-one patients (100% females, age 40 ± 8 years, BMI 49 ± 5 kg/m2 and without respiratory disease) were enrolled. Spirometric analysis was carried out to compare preoperative respiratory pattern with outcome after 6 and 12 months. Variables included vital capacity (VC), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), forced expiratory volume (1 s) (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV). Correlation of results with weight loss was examined.

Results

The following initial variables exhibited significant difference when compared to the 12-month postoperative control: FVC (P = 0.0308), FEV1/FVC (P = 0.1998), MVV (P = 0.0004) and ERV (P = 0.2124). Recovery of FVC and FEV1/FVC occurred earlier by 6 months. The most seriously depressed preoperative finding was ERV, which even after 1 year still remained inadequate.

Conclusions

(1) Pulmonary limitations were diagnosed in approximately one third of the population. (2) Changes were demonstrated for FVC, FEV1/FVC, ERV and MVV. (3) FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were acceptable due to the absence of an obstructive pattern. (4) Two variables increased by 6 months (FEV1/FVC and ERV), whereas recovery for others was confirmed after 1 year. (5) The only exception was ERV which continued below the acceptable range.

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Acknowledgement

This study was supported by a post-doctorate FAPESP grant number 06/51197-5. The valuable help of Prof. Antonio C. Valezi is appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil

    Shirley Aparecida Fabris de Souza

  2. Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil

    Joel Faintuch & Ivan Cecconello

Authors
  1. Shirley Aparecida Fabris de Souza
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  2. Joel Faintuch
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  3. Ivan Cecconello
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Correspondence to Shirley Aparecida Fabris de Souza.

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de Souza, S.A.F., Faintuch, J. & Cecconello, I. Spirometric Function Improves in the Morbidly Obese After 1-Year Post-surgery. OBES SURG 20, 1273–1277 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-010-0142-y

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