Physical functioning and physical activity after gastrointestinal oncological surgery: an observational cohort study

Abstract

Aim: Undergoing oncological surgery is a major life event. There is little research about the level of physical functioning and physical activity (PA) after discharge in patients after oncological surgery. The aim of this study is to investigate to what extent patients are recovered in physical functioning after gastro-intestinal oncological surgery one month after discharge. The second aim of the study is to investigate if there is an association between the level of PA and the recovery in physical functioning. Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted including patients undergoing gastrointestinal or bladder oncological surgery. Physical functioning was measured preoperatively and one month after discharge. The recovery in physical functioning was measured by comparing pre- and postoperative outcomes. PA was measured with an activity tracker during hospitalization and one month after discharge. Regression analysis were used to measure the association between the level of PA and the recovery in physical functioning. Results: The mean percentage of recovery in physical functioning one month after discharge was 86.3%. Of all patients, 13.5% was recovered compared to preoperative. No significant correlation between the level of PA during hospitalization and recovery in physical functioning was found. A weak positive correlation was found between the level of PA one month after discharge and the recovery in physical functioning (R = 0.171, p<0.05). Also, a weak positive correlation was found between the increase in PA after discharge and the recovery in physical functioning (R = 0.148, p<0.05). Conclusion: The majority of patients after gastrointestinal oncological surgery is not recovered in physical functioning one month after discharge. No association was found between the level of PA during hospitalization and the recovery in physical functioning. Higher levels of PA after discharge improves the recovery in physical functioning after discharge. Clinical Relevance: The level of PA during hospitalization was found very low. Patients with higher levels of PA after discharge, were more recovered in physical functioning one month after discharge. Start improving the level of PA earlier, during hospitalization, might contribute to this recovery.