Evidence map›Paper›PMID 26769776›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2016

Is preoperative physical activity related to post-surgery recovery? A cohort study of patients with breast cancer.

Hanna Nilsson, Ulf Angerås, David Bock, Mats Börjesson, Aron Onerup, Monika Fagevik Olsen, Martin Gellerstedt, Eva Haglind, Eva Angenete

Open access · goldAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
24citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
3.0field-weighted citation impact, top 8% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

24 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 67 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Prognostic factors for return to work in breast cancer survivors.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2025
    Pooled it
  2. Predictors of Unemployment After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2018
    Pooled it
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  10. Responsiveness and minimal clinically important difference of the 6-minute walk distance in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Hanna NilssonDepartment of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SSORG-Scandinavian Surgical Outcomes Research Group, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Ulf AngeråsDepartment of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SSORG-Scandinavian Surgical Outcomes Research Group, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Gothenburg, Sweden.
David BockDepartment of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SSORG-Scandinavian Surgical Outcomes Research Group, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Mats BörjessonSwedish School of Sport and Health Sciences and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Aron OnerupDepartment of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SSORG-Scandinavian Surgical Outcomes Research Group, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Monika Fagevik OlsenDepartment of Gastrosurgical Research and Education, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Martin GellerstedtDepartment of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SSORG-Scandinavian Surgical Outcomes Research Group, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Gothenburg, Sweden School of Business, Economics and IT, University West, Göteborg, Sweden.
Eva HaglindDepartment of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SSORG-Scandinavian Surgical Outcomes Research Group, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Eva AngeneteDepartment of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SSORG-Scandinavian Surgical Outcomes Research Group, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Gothenburg, Sweden.
University of Gothenburg · SESahlgrenska University Hospital · SEKarolinska University Hospital · SE

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThe aim of our study is to assess the association between preoperative level of activity and recovery after breast cancer surgery measured as hospital stay, length of sick leave and self-assessed physical and mental recovery.

designA prospective cohort study.

settingPatients included were those scheduled to undergo breast cancer surgery, between February and November 2013, at two participating hospitals in the Western Region of Sweden.

participantsPatients planned for breast cancer surgery filled out a questionnaire before, as well as at 3 and 6 weeks after the operation. The preoperative level of activity was self-assessed and categorised into four categories by the participants using the 4-level Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale (SGPALS).

main outcome measureOur main outcome was postoperative recovery measured as length of sick leave, in-hospital stay and self-assessed physical and mental recovery.

results220 patients were included. Preoperatively, 14% (31/220) of participants assessed themselves to be physically inactive, 61% (135/220) to exert some light physical activity (PA) and 20% (43/220) to be more active (level 3+4). Patients operated with mastectomy versus partial mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection versus sentinel node biopsy were less likely to have a short hospital stay, relative risk (RR) 0.88 (0.78 to 1.00) and 0.82 (0.70 to 0.96). More active participants (level 3 or 4) had an 85% increased chance of feeling physically recovered at 3 weeks after the operation, RR 1.85 (1.20 to 2.85). No difference was seen after 6 weeks.

conclusionsThe above study shows that a higher preoperative level of PA is associated with a faster physical recovery as reported by the patients 3 weeks post breast cancer surgery. After 6 weeks, most patients felt physically recovered, diminishing the association above. No difference was seen in length of sick leave or self-assessed mental recovery between inactive or more active patients.

Indexed as

ConvalescenceExerciseHealth StatusLymph Node ExcisionMastectomyPreoperative CareAgedAged, 80 and overBreast NeoplasmsFemaleHumansLength of StayMaleMiddle AgedPostoperative PeriodProspective StudiesPUBLIC HEALTHREHABILITATION MEDICINESPORTS MEDICINE

Identifiers

PMID26769776
PMCPMC4735182
OpenAlexW2239800511

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.