title: Long-term improvements in pulmonary function 5 years after bariatric surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is associated with reduced pulmonary function. We evaluated pulmonary function and status of asthma and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) before and 5 years after bariatric surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spirometry was performed at baseline and 5 years postoperatively. Information of asthma and OSAS were recorded. Of 113 patients included, 101 had undergone gastric bypass, 10 duodenal switch and 2 sleeve gastrectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty (71%) patients were women, mean preoperative age was 40 years and preoperative weight was 133 kg in women and 158 kg in men. Five years postoperatively, weight reduction was 31% (42 kg; p < 0.001) in women and 24% (38 kg; p < 0.001) in men. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) increased 4.1% (116 ml; p < 0.001) in women and 6.7% (238 ml; p = 0.003) in men. Forced vital capacity (FVC) increased 5.8% (209 ml; p < 0.001) in women and 7.6% (349 ml; p < 0.001) in men. Gender and weight loss were independently associated with the improvements in FEV1 and FVC. At follow-up, FEV1 had increased 36% of the difference towards the estimated normal FEV1, and there was a corresponding 70% recovery of FVC. These improvements occurred despite an expected decline in pulmonary function by age during the study period. Of the asthmatics and OSAS patients, 48 and 80%, respectively, were without symptoms 5 years postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pulmonary function measured with spirometry was significantly improved 5 years after bariatric surgery, despite an expected age-related decline during this period. Symptoms of asthma and OSAS also improved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morbid Obesity and Bariatric Surgery, Department of Endocrinology, Obesity and Preventive Medicine, Medical Clinic, Oslo University Hospital, Aker, PO Box 4950, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway, stehewi@online.no.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hewitt
authors.forename: Sjur
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Humerfelt
authors.forename: Torgeir T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Søvik
authors.forename: Erlend T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Aasheim
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Risstad
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kristinsson
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mala
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013147:Spirometry; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014797:Vital Capacity; D015431:Weight Loss