PHYSICAL FUNCTION BEFORE THORACOABDOMINAL ESOPHAGEAL RESECTION - A COMPARISON OF PHYSICAL TESTS AND SELF -RATED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WITH ROUTINE PRE-OPERATIVE TESTS

Becovic S.¹, Fagevik Olsén M.²

¹Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Physical Therapy, Gothenburg, Sweden, ²Gothenburg University, Physiotherapy, Gothenburg, Sweden

Background: It is well known that the patient´s functional status prior to surgery is an important prognostic factor regarding the occurrence of post-operative complications. Preoperative assessment before thoracoabdominal resection of the esophagus includes a submaximal exercise test and spirometry measurements in addition to the clinical assessment, to evaluate the patient´s physical ability and assess the risk of complications.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the association between routine tests in the form of submaximal exercise test and spirometry with well functioning practical function tests for patients prior to thier thoracoabdominal resection of the esophagus.

Methods: The study group consisted of 32 participants, including 7 women and 25 men. The following tests were conducted: six-minute walk test (6MWT), the test of respiratory muscle strength (PImax and PEmax), grip strength, isometric shoulder abduction, Timed Up and Go, Timed Stands Test, heel rise test, measurement of physical activity (IPAQ). These tests were compared with spirometry and maximum exercise test results.

Results: Moderate correlations were found between spirometry and PImax and PEmax. Correlations of moderate degree was demonstrated between submaximal exercise test and PImax, PEmax and grip strenght and of low degree to 6MWT.

Conclusion(s): This study indicates evidence for the use of PImax tests during preoperative investigation of physical function before thoracoabdominal resection of the esophagus. Little, if any, correlation was found between submaximal exercise test and self-assessed physical activity. A limitation of this study was a low number of participants and this can impact on the results.

Implications: PImax test during investigation of physical function before thoracoabdominal resection of the esophagus can be used in the assessments to predict morbidity.

Topic: Cardiorespiratory

Ethics approval: The ethics committé of University of Gothenburg approved the investigation, Dnr 1028-13.

All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.