Validity and Reproducibility of the Glittre ADL-Test in Obese and Post-Bariatric Surgery Patients

Abstract

Background

Obese and post-bariatric surgery (BS) subjects often present limitations in physical functioning (PF). The Glittre ADL-test is a simple and useful way to evaluate this outcome. It includes functional activities such as rising from a chair, lifting, carrying weights, and bending over and was never studied in the obese population. This study aimed to determine the validity and reproducibility of the Glittre ADL-test to evaluate PF in obese, post-BS, and healthy control subjects.

Methods

Twenty-one post-BS patients (3–4 years post-surgery) (16 women, 41 ± 11 years, BMI = 28 ± 4 kg m⁻²) (group PO); 21 obese individuals (16 women, 44 ± 9 years, BMI = 44 ± 6 kg.m⁻²) (group OB) and 21 control individuals matched to PO (16 women, 42 ± 12 years old, BMI = 27 ± 6 kg m⁻²) (group MC) were included. For the reproducibility analysis, the Glittre ADL-test was performed twice, with a 30-min interval. As criterion methods for the validation, subjects performed two walking tests and answered a health status questionnaire (SF-36).

Results

High intraclass correlation (OB: r = 0.91 and PO: r = 0.89; MC: r = 0.86; P < 0.0001 for all) and good Bland–Altman agreement between the two tests were found in all groups. However, learning effect ranged between 8.8 and 11.8 % and significant test–retest differences occurred. The test was valid for all groups (moderate-to-high significant correlations with the criterion methods).

Conclusions

Glittre ADL-test is valid and reproducible to evaluate PF of obese, post-BS, and healthy control subjects. However, due to the large learning effect, two tests are required for accurate assessment.