Obesity phenotype influence s trend in pulmonary function indices recovery following abdominal surgery: Preliminary report from a Nigerian population

Abstract

Background: Obesity phenotypes are known to have" varying effects on pulmonary function but their effects on trends of pulmonary function indices' recovery among abdominal surgery patients is unclear. Objective: To investigate the influence of obesity phenotype on pulmonary function trend among abdominal surgery patients. Methods: An observational study involving 28 female patients aged 20-60 years who were never smokers. Participants were classified into four groups namely: healthy BMI without abdominal obesity; healthy BMI with abdominal obesity; overweight/obese without abdominal obesity; and overweight/obese with abdominal obesity. Pulmonary function indices (FEV1, FVC and PEF) were taken day-1 pre-op; 5th, 6th and 7th day post-surgery. Data were summarized using mean and standard deviation, while Kruskal-Wallis and Jonckheere trend test were used to test for differences and trend across the groups at p< 0.05. Results: Participants were comparable in age and height. Pre-op, group IV had the lowest pulmonary function indices and group I had the highest FEV1, FVC. At 7-day post-op, there was significant difference in pulmonary function indices across the groups, while trend test showed that obesity pattern had significant effect on the trend of FEV1, FVC and PER with group I having the highest values, followed by group III and group II, while group IV had the lowest values. Conclusion: Obesity phenotype had significant effect on trend of pulmonary function indices among participants. Patients with abdominal obesity, irrespective of BMI, had poor pulmonary function.