Prevalence of Inactivity and Its Determinants in Adults Admitted to Hospital for Scheduled Non-Cardiac Surgery

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of and predictive factors for physical inactivity in adult patients admitted to two Colombian hospitals for non-cardiac surgery. 

Methods: This cross-sectional study, nested in a cohort study (VISION), recruited 500 able-bodied patients aged 45 years and older admitted to hospital for non-cardiac surgery. Physical inactivity was determined by administering the International Physical of Activity Questionnaire-IPAQ. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations between predictive variables, including patient demographics, health status, medical history and type of surgery, and physical inactivity on hospital admission. 

Results: From the analysis, 59.8% (n=299) of patients were categorized as inactive. Factors most likely associated with inactivity prior to surgery included age (OR 1.02  95% CI 1.0-1.04, p=0.019), body mass index > 25 (OR 1.05  95% CI 1.002- 1.12, p=0.042), assistance  with activities of daily living (OR 1.45 95% CI 1.6-11.4, p=0.04), hypertension (OR 1.60 95% CI 1.13-2.37, p=0.009) and treatment with subcutaneous insulin (OR 3.6 95% CI 1.38-9.7, p=0.003).

Conclusion: Assessment of physical activity in non-cardiac surgery patients and associated risk factors is important for effective perioperative care planning and to mitigate the risks of inactivity on post-operative cardiac health.