The increase in body mass index observed after lung volume reduction may act as surrogate marker of improved health status.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) on body mass index (BMI).


METHODS
Prospective data was collected on a series of 63 patients undergoing LVRS (bilateral in 22 patients, unilateral in 41 patients). Median age was 58 (41-70) years. The peri-operative effects of LVRS on BMI, lung function and health status (assessed by SF 36 questionnaire) were recorded at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months.


RESULTS
We found an overall increase in BMI after LVRS, which was significant up to 2 years. These changes correlated with the changes in FEV1 (R = 0.3, P < 0.01 6 months after LVRS) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (R = 0.5, P < 0.01 6 months after LVRS). At 6 months, when the best results in health status were found, the patients were divided in a responders group (improved SF 36 score) and a non-responders group (same or worse SF 36 score) for each of the 8 domains of the SF 36. In 6 domains the non-responders showed no increase in BMI. In 6 domains the responders showed a significant increase in BMI.


CONCLUSIONS
LVRS significantly improves postoperative BMI, which correlates with improvements in DLCO and reflects changes in health status.
Department of Respiratory Medicine and Thoracic Surgery, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester LE3 9QP, UK. ingeroey@hotmail.com
Inger F
IF
Oey
Sabyasachi
S
Bal
Tom J
TJ
Spyt
Michael D L
MD
Morgan
David A
DA
Waller
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests