Metabolic syndrome as independent predictor of respiratory complications after abdominal surgery

Aim : The main goal of our study was to determine whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a positive predictor for more frequent occurrence of postoperative respiratory complications (PORC) in patients undergoing abdominal wall surgery, laparoscopy or laparotomy. Methods : The retrospective-prospective study which included 101 patients divided in two groups: MetS-patients with metabolic syndrome (n=50) and non MetS patients, (n=51) according to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) inclusion criteria for MetS, was conducted at General Hospital „Prim. dr. Abdulah Nakas“ in the period from January to April 2014. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained during preoperative examination and patients were followed up for 30 days postoperatively. Results : The frequency of respiratory complications in MetS group was significantly higher compared to non MetS group (98.0% vs. 27.5%, p<0.001) as was frequency of antibiotics, corticosteroids, oxygen, bronchodilatators and mechanical ventilation administration. The most frequent respiratory complication in MetS group was respiratory failure due to intermittent oxygen hyposaturation less than 85% (42.9%) and pneumonia in the nonMetS group (42.6%), but there was no significant difference in type of respiratory complications. In logistic regression analysis metabolic syndrome was a significant independent predictor of respiratory complications onset after abdominal surgery (β=6.17; p<0.001) in addition to the upper abdominal wall surgery, as well as history of chronic bronchitis and COPD. Conclusion : There was a significant difference in the frequency of PORC between MetS and control group of patients and metabolic syndrome appears to be an independent positive predictor of PORC after abdominal surgery. Key words: postoperative respiratory complications (PORC),abdominal surgery