Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Preoperative functional disability is defined as limitations or difficulties in any area
of functioning or performing activities that relate to different factors in preoperative time.
Functional disability is one of the important components of health status information about an
individual, and it is associated with multidimensional factors that increase the risk of morbidity
and mortality. However, there is a scarcity of studies about the preoperative functional disability
among surgical patients to determine its burden in developing countries.
Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of preoperative functional disability
among elective surgical patients in Northwest Ethiopia, 2021.
Methods: A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted in three Northwest Ethiopia referral
hospitals from April 2021 to June 2021. Data were collected by interview administered semistructured questionnaires and entered into Epi-data version 4.6.0 and exported to SPSS version
26.0 for analysis. Binary logistic regression was used, and variables with a p-value <0.2 in the bivariable analysis were fitted into the multivariable analysis with a 95% confidence level, and Pvalues less than 0.05 were statistically significant. Both Crude Odds Ratio (COR) and Adjusted
Odds Ratio (AOR) were used to show the strength of association.
Result: Of 422 patients 403 patients were analyzed in the study with a response rate of 95.4%.
The prevalence of preoperative functional disability was 34.5 %( 95 % CI: 29.8, 39). age (AOR:
2.14, 95%CI: 1.07, 4.28), alcohol consumption (AOR: 2.05, 95%CI; 1.11, 3.77), malnutrition
(AOR: 6.85, 95%CI; 3.06,15.33), at risk of malnutrition (AOR: 2.72, 95%CI: 1.34, 5.52),
hospitalization (AOR: 1.91, 95%CI; 1.06, 3.42), pain (AOR: 2.26, 95%CI; 1.28, 3.99) and
depression (AOR: 7.90, 95%CI; 4.16, 15.01), were independently associated with it.
Conclusions: Our study shows a high prevalence of preoperative functional disability among
elective surgical patients, in terms of difficulties in performing basic daily life activities. Alcohol
consumption, nutritional deficiency, hospitalization, pain, and depression were among the
modifiable factors. This study supports the implementation of strategic actions aimed at reducing
and controlling the factors related to preoperative functional disability among surgical patients.
Keywords: Preoperative assessment, Activity limitation, World health organization disability
assessment schedule 2.0, Mini nutritional assessment, Patient health questionnaire
