Validation of a physical activity questionnaire (CHAMPS) as an indicator of postoperative recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
BACKGROUND
Although many surgical innovations are said to "shorten recovery," recovery has not been consistently defined or measured. The goal of this study was to assess the validity of a physical activity questionnaire (The Community Health Activities Model Program for Seniors [CHAMPS]) as an indicator of postoperative recovery.


METHODS
CHAMPS includes 41 questions asking the subject to estimate the time spent on a range of activities in the previous week; responses are converted into kcal/kg/wk. Patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were assessed preoperatively, 1 week and 1 month postoperatively (sensitivity to change). To assess construct validity, results were compared with other measures used to estimate recovery, including pain (VAS), health-related quality of life (SF-36), and complications. CHAMPS was also compared with a measure of exercise capacity, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Data expressed as median (IQR).


RESULTS
A total of 50 patients, 72% female, mean (SD) age 51 (17) years, participated. CHAMPS-estimated energy expenditure decreased from 42 [25-64] preop to 18 [9-30] kcal/kg/wk (P < .001) 1 week postoperatively. It remained below baseline at 30 [16-61] kcal/kg/wk 1 month postoperatively (P = .042). At all time points, SF-36 Physical Function, pain with movement, and 6MWT distance significantly correlated with CHAMPS. At 1 month, physical activity was lower in patients reporting complications (16 [10-32] vs 42 [18-77], P < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence is provided for construct validity for a physical activity questionnaire as a measure of surgical recovery.
Feldman
Liane S
LS
Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. liane.feldman@muhc.mcgill.ca
Kaneva
Pepa
P
Demyttenaere
Sebastian
S
Carli
Franco
F
Fried
Gerald M
GM
Mayo
Nancy E
NE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology