Assessment of functional ability of nonambulatory patients with obesity: after and before bariatric surgery.

Abstract

Functional ability is often impaired as a direct consequence of severe obesity. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity. To examine the effect of weight loss after bariatric surgery on patients with impaired functional ambulatory abilities due to obesity. A high-volume university-affiliated bariatric surgery center in India. We conducted a prospective study in a cohort of nonambulatory patients with functional disabilities (bedridden, wheelchair-bound, or walker-dependent) who underwent bariatric surgery. Data on sex, body mass index, co-morbid conditions, the severity of pain, and types of limitations in functional abilities were collected at baseline and at 1 year after bariatric surgery and analyzed. Forty-five patients were enrolled in this study with 100% follow-up at 1 year. The mean age and body mass index of the patients were 54.7 ± 8.5 years and 54.2 ± 8.6 kg/m2, respectively. Thirty-four (75.5%) were female, 27 (60%) were walker-dependent, 14 (31.1%) were wheelchair-bound, and 4 (8.9%) were bedridden. At baseline 88.8% and 75.5% patients had severe knee and back pain, respectively. The percentage of total weight loss was 22% and 31% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. At 1 year, 37 (82.2%) patients were ambulating independently, only 1 (2.2%) patient was still bedridden, and 7 (15.5%) patients were walker-dependent. Mild, moderate, and severe classification on all functional ability scales were significantly improved. Weight loss after bariatric surgery results in significant amelioration of knee and/or back pain with an improvement in functional abilities and quality of life.