Changes in functional walking distance and health-related quality of life after gastric bypass surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Early physical functional changes after gastric bypass surgery (GBS) are unclear, and the relationship between these changes and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) has not been reported. We measured distances from a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and scores on the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) before and after GBS.


METHODS
Twenty-five people undergoing GBS completed the SF-36 and 6MWT presurgically and at the 3-month and 6-month follow-up visits. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during 6MWTs.


RESULTS
Presurgical walking distance (X+/-SD; 414.1+/-103.7 m) was 55%+/-14% of normative values. Distances increased significantly at 3 months (505.2+/-98.0 m) and at 6 months (551.5+/-101.2 m). Final RPEs decreased significantly, and HR-QOL improved significantly. Both physical and mental health components of the SF-36 improved significantly. Distance was inversely correlated with body mass throughout the study and positively correlated with the SF-36 Physical Component Summary change from 3 to 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Improved functional capacity was associated with enhanced HR-QOL. At 6 months, walking distances remained 75% of those for age-matched peers who had normal weight.
Tompkins
James
J
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA.
Bosch
Pamela R
PR
Chenowith
Rochelle
R
Tiede
Judy L
JL
Swain
James M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking