Interdisciplinary rehabilitation in morbidly obese subjects: an observational pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the clinical effectiveness of a interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme (CR), in a population of morbidly obese subjects we have undertaken a observational study.


METHODS
The study included fifty-nine adult subjects (18 M, 60+/-10 years, BMI 47+/-8) with sleep-disturbance related symptoms and disabilities. Assessment and correction of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) abnormalities, improvement of exercise tolerance, body weight and associated psychological features were the aims of this CR, which has been carried out over a 1 month period. Lung functions, apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), body weight (BW), quality of life by means of Sat-P questionnaire and serum metabolic data has been recorded at baseline (TO), at the end (Ti) and 6 months after (T2) the CR.


RESULTS
The percentage of patients with AHI > 10 declined from 65% (at TO) to 20% (at both T1 and T2). 6MWD and BW significantly improved (p < 0.005) at T1 and still maintained at T2; a significant relationship (r = 0.379, p < 0.01) has been found between changes of BW and 6MWD recorded in between TO and T2. Sat-P item scores dealing with sleep efficiency, problem solving, and social interactions improved (p < 0.01) at T1 and still maintained at T2.


CONCLUSIONS
This hospital-based CR provides indication for effectiveness in advanced morbidly obese subjects and warrants further controlled trials to confirm the results.
Clini
E
E
Dpt. of Pulmonary Rehabilitation, University of Modena-Reggio Emilia, Villa Pineta Hospital, Pavullo (MO), Italy. clini.enrico@unimore.it
Prato
F
F
Nobile
M
M
Bondi
M
M
Serri
B
B
Cilione
C
C
Lugli
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001835:Body Weight; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome