ESPEN 2012 - Late breaking abstract submission

Topic: Late Breaking Abstract

Abs n°:ESPEN12-1902

Abs Title: GENDER-SPECIFIC DIFFERENCES REGARDING FUNCTIONAL STATUS IN THE POSTOPERATIVE COURSE AFTER HEMICOLECTOMY

A. Zammar ¹N. Stobäus ¹M. Pirlich ¹K. Norman ^1,*

¹Dept of Gastroenterology, Charite University Medicine, Berlin, Germany

Rationale: Gender-specific differences are known in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible gender-specific differences regarding functional status, muscle strength, quality of life and complication rate during 4 weeks after colon surgery.

Methods: 62 patients (35 women) were recruited. Functional status was assessed preoperatively, on the 2nd day and 4 weeks with Barthel Index. Hand grip strength was determined with a dynamometer and clinical information on outcome were documented (complications, ICU and hospital stay, mortality). Quality of life was assessed preoperatively as well as 2 and 4 weeks after surgery with the EORTC QLQ-C-30 questionnaire. Data are given in median, minimum and maximum.

Results: Men and women exhibited significant differences regarding functional status in the postoperative course. Women demonstrated significantly greater loss of grip strength on day 2 (from 20 (9-42) kg to 16 (6-44) kg, p>0.0001) and after 4 weeks (18 (6-44) kg, ANOVA) and a significant deterioration of Barthel Index from 100 % to 45 % (p= 0.044) compared to men. Women also had a significantly longer stay in intensive care (3 (1-28) days compared to 1 (1-7) day, p=0.033) and a significantly longer hospital stay (8 (5-20) days versus 12 (4-49) days, p=0,048). There were however no significant differences regarding prevalence and severity of postoperative complications. Three women died within the 4 weeks. Effect on quality of life was not different between men and women, except for the category “Social function“ 2 weeks after surgery. 

Conclusion: Although the mechanisms for the gender-specific differences remain unclear, our data indicate that women might profit from more intensive perioperative therapy (e.g. nutritional, physical) after colon surgery.  

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared

Keywords: functional statusgender