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The SF-36 and 6-Minute Walk Test are Significant Predictors of Complications After Major Surgery

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Abstract

Background

Major surgeries are associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality. Current preoperative evaluation fails to identify patients at increased risk of postoperative complications. This study is aimed to determine whether the Short Form-36 health survey (SF-36) and the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) are useful predictors of postoperative complications after major surgery.

Methods

All patients scheduled to undergo major surgery were eligible for the study. Major surgeries include patients undergoing thoracotomy, sternotomy, or upper abdominal laparotomy. The SF-36 health survey and 6-MWT were administered prior to surgery. Spirometry and other preoperative testing, ordered by the surgeon, like echocardiography were included in the study. Patients were then followed-up for postoperative complications for 30 days.

Results

One-hundred and seventeen subjects undergoing major surgery were recruited to the study. The mean age was 58 years and 66 (56.4 %) were male. Physical Functioning as a component of the SF-36 positively correlated with decreased length of hospital stay (LOS). The 6-MWT had a negative correlation with LOS (p < 0.0001) and with severity of postoperative complications (p < 0.0001). Spirometry and echocardiography did not correlate with LOS or grade of complications.

Conclusions

SF-36 (Physical Functioning) and 6-MWT are useful indicators for predicting postoperative complications and LOS.

Condensed abstract

Patients undergoing major surgery answered SF-36 and performed 6-MWT. Physical Functioning as a component of the SF-36 correlated with LOS. The 6-MWT had a negative correlation with LOS and with complication grade. SF-36 and 6-MWT are useful predictors of postoperative complications.

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Funding

This work was funded by the Medical Practice Plan and the University Research Board at the American University of Beirut.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, P.O. Box: 113-6044, Beirut, 1107 2802, Lebanon

    Haitham Awdeh, Hadi Hatoum, Hala Bitar & Ahmad Husari

  2. Department of Health Management and Policy, American University of Beirut Medical Center, P.O. Box: 113-6044, Beirut, 1107 2802, Lebanon

    Kassem Kassak

  3. Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, P.O. Box: 113-6044, Beirut, 1107 2802, Lebanon

    Pierre Sfeir

Authors
  1. Haitham Awdeh
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  2. Kassem Kassak
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  3. Pierre Sfeir
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  4. Hadi Hatoum
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  5. Hala Bitar
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  6. Ahmad Husari
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmad Husari.

Appendix

Appendix

See Tables 3, 4, and 5 in Appendix.

Table 3 Dimensions of the SF-36 health survey
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Table 4 The Borg scale
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Table 5 Classification of surgical complications
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Awdeh, H., Kassak, K., Sfeir, P. et al. The SF-36 and 6-Minute Walk Test are Significant Predictors of Complications After Major Surgery. World J Surg 39, 1406–1412 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-2961-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-2961-4

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