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Objective: To evaluate the different components of the resistance of the respiratory system, respiratory muscle strength and to investigate the occurrence of expiratory flow limitation (EFL) in patients with morbid obesity (MO) when seated., Methods: The sample was composed of MO (BMI≥40 kg/m2) and non-obese individuals (NO) with a BMI between 18 and 30 kg/m2. The protocol consisted of the anthropometric assessment and the following measures of respiratory function: spirometry, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP, respectively) and impulse oscillometry. The group comparison was performed using T-test for unpaired samples. The correlations were evaluated by the Pearson test with a significance level of 5%., Results: Fifty MO (age 40±10.4 years, 1.64±0.09 m, 138.8±33.6 kg and 50.7±8.9 kg/m2), and 30 NO (age 37.6±11.5 years, 1.67±0.09 m, 65.2±10.3 kg and 23.2±22 kg/m2) were evaluated. The MO showed higher values of total, peripheral, airways, tissue and central resistance when compared to the NO. No patient showed EFL. The waist circumference was associated with spirometric variables, MIP, and MEP. The waist-to-hip ratio was correlated to respiratory mechanics and spirometric variables, MIP, and MEP., Conclusion: Morbidly obese patients with no obstructive spirometric pattern show increased total, airway, peripheral, and tissue respiratory system resistance when compared to nonobese. These individuals, however, do not present with expiratory flow limitation and reduced respiratory muscles strength.

Objective: to assess the efficacy of weight loss, the evolution of comorbidities, the quality of life and the BAROS protocol (Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System) in the postoperative period of patients undergoing bariatric surgery., Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional, quantitative study with 95% true strength (P=0.05), with 103 patients submitted to SLEEVE Vertical Gastrectomy (40) and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (63), from four months after surgery. We carried out the research at the Ambulatory of General Surgery of the Clinics Hospital of the Federal University of Pernambuco, using the BAROS protocol., Results: the majority of the patients were female (89.3%). The mean age was 44.23 years. The mean percentage loss of excess weight was 69.35%. The mean postoperative follow-up time was 41.87 months (±37.35). The comorbidities with the highest percentage of resolution were sleep apnea (90.2%), diabetes (80.7%) and hypertension (70.8%). The most frequent complications were hair loss (79.6%), nutritional deficiency (37.9%) and anemia (35%). The BAROS protocol demonstrated that patients positively evaluated quality of life in 93.2% of the cases. The Moorehead-Ardelt questionnaire showed that quality of life "improved" or "improved greatly" for 94.1% of patients., Conclusion: bariatric surgery has been shown to be an effective procedure in the treatment of morbid obesity and in the control of comorbidities. Quality of life analysis was evaluated positively through the BAROS protocol.

Objective: To analyze a body composition profile in women with class III obesity using the multipolar bioimpedance method., Methods: Thirteen sedentary women aged between 20 and 40 years were evaluated., Results: The results show that the patients had a fat percentage of 51.9±1.50 % and lean mass of 48.1±1.50 %. Regarding fat mass and lean mass per body region, figures of 26.3±3.62kg and 26.2±2.91kg in the upper body, 9.1±0.06kg and 8.4±0.14kg in the lower limbs, and 3.3±0.02kg and 7.6±0.01kg in the upper limbs were obtained. Patients had a good symmetry between the left and right sides in both upper and lower limbs, besides of a muscular mass of 32.1±5.08kg, with a muscular mass index of 12.7±1.05kg/m2., Conclusion: Higher fat accumulation was observed in the upper body region, followed by lower and upper limbs. Total muscular mass was apparently preserved, although sarcopenic obesity was not verified. Since this is a group of people that is still understudied, there is a need for further research on genetic and physical profile and caloric expenditure during exercise and rest.

Objective The purpose of this study is to research effects of acute exercise with cycle ergometers adapted for the upper limbs on physiological markers in the morbidly obese. Methods Ten morbidly obese patients participated in the study. They were submitted to thirty minutes of continuous activity on a cycle ergometer adapted to the upper limbs. The following physiological markers were evaluated: systemic arterial pressure, heart rate, the double product, and oxygen saturation. For the statistical analysis, descriptive analysis was used. Results Patients showed a Body Mass Index (BMI) value of 52.1 ± 8.3. Most of the subjects showed a slight reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after physical activity, with SBP before and after physical activity of 135.5±11.4 and 133.5±15.3 mmHg, respectively, and, for DBP, 83±7.5 and 77±7.1 respectively. The average heart rate was 68±10.4 bpm before, 100.6±16.5 bpm during and 80.7±14.5 bpm 1 minute after. The double product (DP) had a mean increase of 29.6±17.1 % in men and 10.4±8.9 % in women when compared with the initial phase. The oxygen saturation showed no mean difference before, during or after activity. Conclusion It can be concluded that acute physical exercise with an upper limbs cycle ergometer in morbidly obese patients does not represent an elevated risk to these patients, being in fact a good intervention to promote health.

Background: Morbid obesity is directly related to deterioration in cardiorespiratory capacity, including changes in cardiovascular autonomic modulation., Objective: This study aimed to assess the cardiovascular autonomic function in morbidly obese individuals., Methods: Cross-sectional study, including two groups of participants: Group I, composed by 50 morbidly obese subjects, and Group II, composed by 30 nonobese subjects. The autonomic function was assessed by heart rate variability in the time domain (standard deviation of all normal RR intervals [SDNN]; standard deviation of the normal R-R intervals [SDNN]; square root of the mean squared differences of successive R-R intervals [RMSSD]; and the percentage of interval differences of successive R-R intervals greater than 50 milliseconds [pNN50] than the adjacent interval), and in the frequency domain (high frequency [HF]; low frequency [LF]: integration of power spectral density function in high frequency and low frequency ranges respectively). Between-group comparisons were performed by the Student's t-test, with a level of significance of 5%., Results: Obese subjects had lower values of SDNN (40.0 ± 18.0 ms vs. 70.0 ± 27.8 ms; p = 0.0004), RMSSD (23.7 ± 13.0 ms vs. 40.3 ± 22.4 ms; p = 0.0030), pNN50 (14.8 ± 10.4 % vs. 25.9 ± 7.2%; p = 0.0061) and HF (30.0 ± 17.5 Hz vs. 51.7 ± 25.5 Hz; p = 0.0023) than controls. Mean LF/HF ratio was higher in Group I (5.0 ± 2.8 vs. 1.0 ± 0.9; p = 0.0189), indicating changes in the sympathovagal balance. No statistical difference in LF was observed between Group I and Group II (50.1 ± 30.2 Hz vs. 40.9 ± 23.9 Hz; p = 0.9013)., Conclusion: morbidly obese individuals have increased sympathetic activity and reduced parasympathetic activity, featuring cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction.

Objective: To look for correlations between lung function and cardiac dimension variables in morbidly obese patients, in order to test the hypothesis that the relative size of the small airways is independently correlated with left ventricular hypertrophy., Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 192 medical records containing a clinical protocol employed in candidates for bariatric surgery between January of 2006 and December of 2010., Results: Of the 192 patients evaluated, 39 (10 males and 29 females) met the inclusion criteria. The mean BMI of the patients was 49.2 ± 7.6 kg/m2, and the mean age was 35.5 ± 7.7 years. The FEF25-75/FVC, % correlated significantly with left ventricular posterior wall thickness and relative left ventricular posterior wall thickness, those correlations remaining statistically significant (r = -0.355 and r = -0.349, respectively) after adjustment for weight, gender, and history of systemic arterial hypertension. Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis showed that FVC and FEV1 were the major determinants of left ventricular mass (in grams or indexed to body surface area)., Conclusions: A reduction in the relative size of the small airways appears to be independently correlated with obesity-related cardiac hypertrophy, regardless of factors affecting respiratory mechanics (BMI and weight), gender, or history of systemic arterial hypertension. However, FEV1 and FVC might be important predictors of left ventricular mass in morbidly obese individuals.

A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on the nutritional evolution of severely obese patients who are candidates for bariatric surgery attended by the Unified Health System (SUS) and the Supplemental Health Network (RS). The average preoperative follow-up period was 14.3 ± 7.7 months in the SUS and 2.4 ± 1.7 months in the RS. There was a predominance of females among patients attended by the SUS (80.6%) and by the RS (75.7%). A significant reduction in weight, BMI and waist circumference (WC) and total cholesterol values of patients of both health networks was observed. Patients attended by the SUS showed no significant decrease in LDL, Triglycerides and Fasting Glycemia, while patients assisted by the RS showed a significant reduction of these values. The greater weight loss among SUS patients is explained by the fact that they had been monitored for a longer period. The insignificant reduction of most biochemical indicators of SUS patients can be justified by the fact that they had a more advanced degree of obesity.

This study aimed to investigate the association between respiratory mechanics and autonomic modulation in morbidly obese patients. We evaluated 10 morbidly obese subjects (BMI=52.9±11.2kg/m(2)), aged 23-58 years. Assessment of respiratory mechanics was done by the forced oscillation technique (FOT), and cardiovascular autonomic function was recorded by heart rate variability analysis (HRV). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to test the associations between respiratory mechanics and HRV variables. There were associations between the standard deviation of all RR intervals (SDNN) and airway resistance (Rm) (r=-0.82; p=0.004), SDNN and respiratory system resistance (R0) (r=-0.79; p=0.006), root mean square of successive differences between adjacent normal RR intervals (rMSSD) and respiratory system resistance (R5) (r=-0.643; p=0.0451), rMSSD and R0 (r=-0.64; p=0.047), and rMSSD and Rm (r=-0.658; p=0.039). We concluded that the airway and respiratory system resistances are negatively associated with parasympathetic activity in patients with morbid obesity., (Copyright © 2013 Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.)

Background: Chewing is composed of structures that must be balanced to achieve optimal function and bite force is one of the components of this function., Aim: To analyze the bite force of candidates for bariatric surgeries., Method: Was used surface electromyography Miotool 200/400 (Miotec® , Porto Alegre/RS, Brazil) coupled to bite load cell, SDS1000 sensor, to record the maximum force reading during the execution of the bite. The device was integrated with software Miograph 2.0. Inclusion criteria were: morbidly obese patients regardless of gender, age 20-40 years, no absences and/or important dental changes and candidates for gastroplasty. Were studied the bites in left and right lateral position and their intensity measured in kilogram force (kgf). The exclusion criterion was that of patients who had facial deformities and/or occlusal position preventing any collection., Results: Were analyzed 39 patients (59 % women), mean age 27.1 (+/-5.7). They had anterior bite force in average 9.1 kgf (min 1.3 and max 22.9 kgf - +/-5.2 ); left side with average 16.3 kgf (min 1.5 and max 55.6 kgf - +/-11.9); right side with average of 14.0 kgf (min 2.3 and max 45.3 kgf - +/-9.4 )., Conclusion: The bite force was inferior to those described for the general population and the gender did not have any influence on it.

The development of abdominal surgery represents an alternative therapy for the morbidly obese; however, patients undergoing this surgical procedure often experience postoperative pulmonary complications. The use of alveolar recruitment maneuvers and/or perioperative ventilatory strategies is a possible alternative to reduce these complications, focusing on the reduction of postoperative pulmonary complications. In this review, the benefits of perioperative ventilatory strategies and the implementation of alveolar recruitment maneuvers in obese patients undergoing abdominal surgery are described.

Background: Studies on the behavior of respiratory muscle strength (RMS) in morbidly obese patients have found conflicting results., Objectives: To evaluate RMS in morbidly obese women and to compare the results by using different predictive equations., Method: This is a cross-sectional study that recruited 30 morbidly obese women and a control group of 30 normal-weight women. The subjects underwent anthropometric and maximal respiratory pressure measurement. Visual inspection of the Bland-Altman plots was performed to evaluate the correlation between the different equations, with a p value lower than 0.05 considered as statistically significant., Results: The obese women showed a significant increase in maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) values (-87.83±21.40 cmH(2)O) compared with normal-weight women (-72±15.23 cmH(2)O) and a significant reduction of MIP (-87.83±21.40 cmH(2)O) according to the values predicted by the EHarik equation (-130.71±11.98 cmH(2)O). Regarding the obtained maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), there were no between-group differences (p>0.05), and no agreeement was observed between obtained and predicted values of MEP and the ENeder and ECosta equations., Conclusions: Inspiratory muscle strength was greater in the morbidly obese subjects. The most appropriate equation for calculating the predicted MIP values for the morbidly obese seems to be Harik-Khan equation. There seem to be similarities between the respiratory muscle strength behavior of morbidly obese and normal-weight women, however, these findings are still inconclusive.

Obesity is considered one of the most serious public health problems of the modern world. Because it alters the relationship between the lungs, chest wall and diaphragm, it is to be expected that it impacts on the respiratory function. In Portugal, there is not much data about the relationship between obesity and pulmonary function. The aim of this study was to characterize respiratory function in morbidly obese patients and to evaluate whether weight loss in patients submitted to bariatric surgery affects pulmonary function tests (PFT). We conducted a retrospective study with 36 morbidly obese patients submitted to bariatric surgery, with a mean age of 40.6 years, 64% female and with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 49.7 kg/m². All patients were clinical and functionally evaluated before surgery and after their weight had stabilized following surgery. They underwent a complete pulmonary function testing with spirometry, lung volumes, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO), maximum respiratory pressures and arterial blood gases analysis. Prior to surgery almost all the patients had functional respiratory changes, 34 had a decrease in functional residual capacity (FRC) 6 of whom a restrictive syndrome. Only 2 patients did not show any functional or arterial blood gas change. After bariatric surgery, BMI decreased to 34 kg/m² and there was a significant improvement in almost all functional parameters with resolution of restrictive disorders. Nevertheless, in 13 patients the FRC remained decreased. After weight loss, the only correlation found was between reduction of BMI and increased FRC (r = -0.371; p = 0.028). This study suggests a relationship between obesity and pulmonary restriction and a positive impact of bariatric surgery in PFT., (Copyright © 2011 Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia. Published by Elsevier España. All rights reserved.)

Background: Obesity is a chronic and multifactorial disease, associated with increased cardiovascular risk, especially diastolic heart failure., Objective: To evaluate left ventricular diastolic function in morbidly obese patients in the pre-operative for bariatric surgery, correlating it with cardiovascular risk factors and heart structure., Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 132 patients eligible for bariatric surgery submitted to transthoracic echocardiography assessment and of cardiovascular risk factors, as follows: 97 women (73.5%), mean age 38.5 ± 10.5 years and BMI of 43.7 ± 7.2 kg / m(2). Patients were divided into three groups: 61 with normal diastolic function, 24 with mild diastolic dysfunction and 47 with moderate/severe diastolic dysfunction, of which 41 with moderate diastolic dysfunction (pseudonormal pattern) and six with severe diastolic dysfunction (restrictive pattern)., Results: Hypertension, age and gender were different in the groups with diastolic dysfunction. Groups with dysfunction had higher left atrial diameter, left ventricular diameter, left atrial volume in four and two chambers, left atrial volume index and left ventricular mass index corrected for body surface area and height., Conclusion: The high frequency of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in the preclinical phase in morbidly obese patients justifies the need for careful echocardiographic assessment, aiming at identifying individuals at higher risk, so that early intervention measures can be carried out.

Objective: The objective aims at evaluating the impact of a minimum program of supervised physical exercise on functional capacity and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in patients with morbid obesity., Material and Methods: By studying cases with pre and post analyses, we have assessed the variations in weight, functional capacity and in CMR, due to the program of supervised aerobic exercise on a weekly intensity of 30 minutes during a period of 6 months., Results: We have studied 61 subjects, where 34 have only adhered to the intervention. There were significant changes in weight (-5.3 ± 5.3 kg, p < 0.0001), distance in the 6-minute walking test (69.8 ± 48.6 m, p < 0.0001), systolic pressure (-23.8 ± 27.7 mmHg, p < 0.0001), diastolic pressure (-14.4 ± 8.9 mmHg, p < 0.0001) and Framingham Score Risk (-4.4 ± 5.1, p < 0.0001) in the adherent patients., Conclusion: The results show that a supervised exercise program of low intensity and frequency might interfere positively on CMR in individuals with morbid obesity.

Background: The detection of anaerobic threshold (AT) by heart rate variability analysis (HRVt) may mean a new way to assess the cardiorespiratory capacity (CRC) in pre-adolescents., Objective: To test the method of HRVt to detect AT in non-obese (NO), obese (O) and morbidly obese (MO) pre-adolescents in order to determine differences in their CRC., Methods: Were studied 30 pre-adolescents, aged between 9 and 11 years, divided into three groups of ten pre-adolescents each: a) NO group - body mass index (BMI) between 5 and 85 percentiles of the chart of National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.; b) O group - BMI between 95 and 97 of the same chart; c) MO group - BMI with percentile over 97. All were submitted to an incremental protocol conducted on a treadmill, and the heart rate was recorded for the detection of the HRVt when the beat-to-beat variability (SD1), extracted from the RR intervals, reached the value of 3 ms., Results: The mean values obtained at HRVt were higher for the NO group, which included: a) VO2 (ml/kg/min) NO = 27.4 ± 9.2; O = 13.1 ± 7.6, and MO = 11.0 ± 1.7 b) HR (bpm): NO = 156.3 ± 18.0, O = 141.7 ± 11.4 and 137.7 ± 10.4 MO; c) distance (m): NO = 1,194.9 ± 427.7, O = 503.2 ± 437.5 and MO = 399.9 ± 185.1., Conclusion: HRVt was effective for evaluation of CRC and could be applied as an alternative method to ergoespirometry in certain situations.

Objective: To determine the lung age of patients with morbid obesity and to compare it with the chronological age of these patients, emphasizing the premature damage that morbid obesity does to the lungs., Methods: An open, prospective cross-sectional study comprising 112 individuals: 78 patients with morbid obesity (study group); and 34 non-obese individuals with normal pulmonary function results (control group). All of the patients underwent spirometry for the determination of lung age. The lung age and the chronological age of the individuals in each group were compared in isolation and between the two groups., Results: The difference between lung age and chronological age in the group with morbid obesity was significant (p < 0.0001; 95% CI: 6.6-11.9 years), the mean difference being 9.1 ± 11.8 years. The difference between the study group and the control group in terms of lung age was significant (p < 0.0002; 95% CI: 7.5-16.9 years), the mean difference being 12.2 ± 2.4 years. Lung age correlated positively with chronological age and body mass index (BMI), whereas it correlated negatively with the spirometric variables (p < 0.0001 for all). Multiple linear regression analysis identified BMI and chronological age (p < 0.0001) as significant predictors of lung age., Conclusions: Lung age is increased in patients with morbid obesity, suggesting premature damage and accelerated lung aging, as evidenced by the discrepancy between chronological age and lung age. The determination of lung age might become a new tool for understanding pulmonary function results, for patients as well as for health professionals, in relation to obesity control.

Objective: To evaluate with Doppler echocardiography the reversibility of structural and hemodynamic changes in obeses after bariatric surgery., Methods: Twenty-three patients (19 women = 82.6%) were studied. Mean age was 37.9 years. All subjects had Class III or Class II obesity with comorbidity and were submitted to bariatric surgery. Clinical and echocardiographic evaluation were performed preoperatively, in 6 months and 3 years after surgery., Results: Preoperatively, the mean weight and blood pressure (BP) were respectively 128.7 +/- 25.8 kg and 142.2 +/- 16.2 / 92.2 +/- 10.4 mmHg. Postoperatively, they showed important body weight reduction in 6 months (97.6 +/- 18.3 kg) and 3 years (83.6 +/- 13.5 kg), and BP reduction in 6 months (128.5 +/- 16.1/80.7 +/- 9.9 mmHg) that remain stable in 3rd year. On echocardiogram, preoperatively, there was hypertrophy of the septum and posterior wall associated with normal diastolic dimension; the predominant LV geometric pattern was concentric remodeling (74%). At six months, thinning of the ventricular septum and LV posterior wall, and increase in LV diastolic dimension were demonstrated. At 3rd year, the predominant LV pattern was normal (69%), with reduction of LV mass and LV mass/height2 index. We noticed improved diastolic function, with an increased E/A ratio and a decreased LV isovolumic relaxation time. The Myocardial Performance Index was obtained retrospectively in 13 patients and improved in 6 months. There was an increase of the ejection time in 6 months and an elevation of the ejection fraction in 3rd year, suggesting improvement of the LV systolic function., Conclusion: The weight loss obtained with bariatric surgery promotes both structural and functional myocardial changes that improve cardiac performance.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a risk condition for the development of systemic atherosclerotic disease. Morbid obesity is a state of insulin resistance (IR) associated with visceral fat accumulation, which is involved in the development of MS. In severe obesity, conservative therapies promote an improvement of MS, but weight regain is frequent, whereas bariatric surgery promotes a more significant and sustained weight loss. Bariatric surgery is recommended for patients with unsatisfactory response to clinical treatment and with IMC > 40 kg/m(2) or > 35 in case of co-morbidities. In those cases, surgical risk must be acceptable and patients submitted to surgery must be informed about complications and postoperative care. Prevention, improvement and reversion of diabetes (DM2) (70 to 90% of cases) are seen in several bariatric surgery modalities. Disabsorptive are more efficient than restrictive procedures in terms of weight reduction and insulin sensitivity improvement, but chronic complications, such as malnutrition, are also more frequent. Vertical gastroplasty with jejunoileal derivation is a mixed surgery in which the restrictive component predominates. In this modality, reversion of DM2 is due to an increase in insulin sensitivity associated with improved beta cell function. Reversion of MS and its manifestations after bariatric surgery are associated with reduction of cardiovascular mortality and, thus, in severe obesity cases, MS can be considered a surgical condition.