The Association Between Modifiable Lifestyle Factors and Postoperative Complications of Elective Surgery in Patients With Colorectal Cancer

Dis Colon Rectum. 2021 Nov 1;64(11):1342-1353. doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000001976.

Abstract

Background: Research has demonstrated a possible relation between patients' preoperative lifestyle and postoperative complications.

Objective: This study aimed to assess associations between modifiable preoperative lifestyle factors and postoperative complications in patients undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer.

Design: This is a retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database.

Setting: At diagnosis, data on smoking habits, alcohol consumption, BMI, and physical activity were collected by using questionnaires. Postoperative data were gathered from the nationwide database of the Dutch ColoRectal Audit.

Patients: Patients (n = 1564) with newly diagnosed stage I to IV colorectal cancer from 11 Dutch hospitals were included in a prospective observational cohort study (COLON) between 2010 and 2018.

Main outcome measures: Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify which preoperative lifestyle factors were associated with postoperative complications.

Results: Postoperative complications occurred in 28.5%, resulting in a substantially prolonged hospital stay (12 vs 5 days, p < 0.001). Independently associated with higher postoperative complication rates were ASA class II (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.05-2.04; p = 0.03) and III to IV (OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.96-5.12; p < 0.001), current smoking (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.02-2.56; p = 0.04), and rectal tumors (OR, 1.81; 95%CI, 1.28-2.55; p = 0.001). Body mass index, alcohol consumption, and physical activity did not show an association with postoperative complications. However, in a subgroup analysis of 200 patients with ASA III to IV, preoperative high physical activity was associated with fewer postoperative complications (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.03-0.87; p = 0.04).

Limitations: Compared with most studied colorectal cancer populations, this study describes a relatively healthy study population with 87.2% of the included patients classified as ASA I to II.

Conclusions: Modifiable lifestyle factors such as current smoking and physical activity are associated with postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery. Current smoking is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications in the overall study population, whereas preoperative high physical activity is only associated with a reduced risk of postoperative complications in patients with ASA III to IV. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B632.

La asociacin entre factores modificables del estilo de vida y complicaciones posoperatorias en ciruga electiva en pacientes con cncer colorectal: ANTECEDENTES:Estudios han demostrado una posible relación entre el estilo de vida preoperatorio de los pacientes y las complicaciones posoperatorias.OBJETIVO:Evaluar las asociaciones entre los factores de estilo de vida preoperatorios modificables y las complicaciones posoperatorias en pacientes llevados a cirugía electiva por cáncer colorrectal.DISEÑO:Estudio retrospectivo de una base de datos continua de forma prospectiva.ESCENARIO:En el momento del diagnóstico se recopilaron mediante cuestionarios datos sobre tabaquismo, consumo de alcohol, el IMC y la actividad física. Los datos posoperatorios se obtuvieron de la base de datos nacional de la Auditoría Colorectal Holandesa.PACIENTES:Se incluyeron pacientes (n = 1564) de once hospitales holandeses con cáncer colorrectal en estadio I-IV recién diagnosticado incluidos en un estudio de cohorte observacional prospectivo (COLON) entre 2010 y 2018.PRINCIPALES VARIABLES ANALIZADAS:Se utilizaron modelos de regresión logística multivariable para identificar qué factores de estilo de vida preoperatorios y se asociaron con complicaciones posoperatorias.RESULTADOS:Las complicaciones posoperatorias se presentaron en el 28,5%, lo que resultó en una estancia hospitalaria considerablemente mayor (12 contra 5 días, p <0,001). De manera independiente se asociaron con mayores tasas de complicaciones posoperatorias la clasificación ASA II (OR 1,46; 95% IC 1,05-2,04, p = 0,03) y III-IV (OR 3,17; 95% IC 1,96-5,12, p <0,001), tabaquismo presente (OR 1,62; IC 95% 1,02-2,56, p = 0,04) y tumores rectales (OR 1,81; IC 95% 1,28-2,55, p = 0,001). El IMC, el consumo de alcohol y la actividad física no mostraron asociación con complicaciones posoperatorias. Sin embargo, en un análisis de subgrupos de 200 pacientes ASA III-IV, la actividad física íntensa preoperatoria se asoció con menos complicaciones posoperatorias (OR 0,17; IC del 95%: 0,03-0,87, p = 0,04).LIMITACIONES:En comparación con las poblaciones de cáncer colorrectal más estudiadas, este estudio incluyó una población relativamente sana con el 87,2% de los pacientes incluidos clasificados como ASA I-II.CONCLUSIONES:Los factores modificables del estilo de vida, como son el encontrarse fumando y la actividad física, se asocian con complicaciones posoperatorias después de la cirugía de cáncer colorrectal. El encontrarse fumando se asocia con un mayor riesgo de complicaciones posoperatorias en la población general del estudio, mientras que la actividad física íntensa preoperatoria se asocia con un menor riesgo de complicaciones posoperatorias únicamente en pacientes ASA III-IV. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B632.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / psychology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alcohol Drinking
  • Body Mass Index
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Elective Surgical Procedures / adverse effects
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Life Style*
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Netherlands
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Smoking