Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Bariatric surgery (BS) is an effective method to weight loss, however, some patients experience persistence of physical inactivity or even weight gain over the years. Furthermore, It is not clear if some surgical techniques, mainly those with disabsortive components, could be involved in the low physical performance through interfering with nutritional status This study aimed to evaluate physical function (PF), quality of life (QOL) and energy expenditure (EE) during activities of daily living in post-BS patients compared with obese individuals without BS.

Methods: Forty two subjects were included in the study: 21 post-BS patients (3 to 4 years post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass technique) with stable weight for at least 6 months (16 women, 41±11 years old, BMI=28±4 kg.m⁻²) (group PO); and 21 obese individuals without BS (16 women, 44±9 years old, BMI=44±6 kg.m⁻²) (group OB). PF was objectively assessed by the Glittre and Modified Glittre Activities of Daily Living (ADL) tests. QOL (SF-36), EE was assessed by the multisensor sensewear armband activity monitor during ADL, and the body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance.

Results: OB group had worse PF (OB=224±76 seconds; PO=143±39 seconds; P<0.0001) as well as QOL (P<0.05 for all SF-36 domains) when compared to PO group. OB had also higher total EE in the Glittre ADL-test; however, 63% of the activity time was in low intensity EE. In the Glittre modified protocol, OB had also worse performance than PO when walking up/downstairs, rising/sitting in a chair and moving objects in shelves. In both groups, better PF was moderately-to-strongly correlated with lower percentage of fat mass.

Conclusions: Post-BS patients have better PF, QOL and perform activities under lower total EE than obese subjects, suggesting that BS is involved in recovering physical performance in these patients.