Factors Influencing Functional Exercise Capacity After Lung Resection for Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Purpose: We investigated, in patients who underwent lung resection for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the magnitude of early limitation in functional exercise capacity and the associations with pre- and postoperative factors. Methods: Consecutive patients with preoperative clinical stage I to IIIA NSCLC who underwent lung resection were prospectively enrolled. We measured functional exercise capacity (6-minute walk distance [6MWD]) and skeletal muscle strength (handgrip [HF] and quadriceps force [QF]) within 2 days prior to surgery and on day 7 postoperatively. Results: Two hundred eighteen participants were recruited (median age 69 years) of whom 49 developed postoperative complications (POCs). 6MWD was markedly decreased (514 m vs 469 m, P