Functional Evaluation in Obese Patients Before and After Sleeve Gastrectomy

Area of Science:

• Bariatric surgery
• Obesity treatment
• Cardiopulmonary exercise testing

Background:

• Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a key treatment for severe obesity.
• The impact of SG on cardiorespiratory and muscle function requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in cardiorespiratory and muscle function 6 months after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in obese patients.
• To investigate the effects of significant weight loss on physical capacity and aerobic metabolism.

Main Methods:

• Observational study of 26 obese patients (BMI 45.2 ± 5.8 kg/m²).
• Comparison of physical function before and 6 months after SG.
• Utilized incremental cardiopulmonary exercise tests, strength tests, and balance analysis.

Main Results:

• Substantial weight loss (-33.4 ± 11.0 kg) led to increased peak work capacity and relative VO₂peak/kg (p < 0.001).
• Absolute VO₂peak, oxygen pulse, and OUES significantly declined (p < 0.001).
• VO₂-kinetics revealed worsened oxygen metabolism in skeletal muscles (p < 0.05), while muscle strength and balance were unaffected.

Conclusions:

• SG does not negatively affect ventilatory and cardiac function.
• Decreased aerobic capacity may stem from peripheral muscle alterations, potentially impacting oxidative muscle metabolism.
• Further research into VO₂-kinetics supports a deterioration of oxidative muscle metabolism post-SG.