Perioperative medicine & outcomes
Effect of body mass index on postoperative recovery to independent living: a retrospective cohort study*
Authors' conclusion
This study shows a U-shaped relationship between BMI and the risk of postoperative loss of independent living. Patients with mild obesity experienced a lower risk of losing the ability to live independently after surgery.
Study context
- Population
- Adults living independently before non-cardiac, non-bariatric, non-ambulatory surgery
- Participants
- 73,813 adults
- Exposure
- BMI values vs reference BMI 22.0 kg.m-2
- Outcome
- Loss of independent living (adverse discharge): in-hospital mortality or discharge to a skilled nursing facility
Methodological detailsmultivariable restricted cubic spline model
- Multivariable restricted cubic spline model
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Adverse discharge
Each group vs BMI 22.0 kg.m-2Adjusted relative risk (95% CI)
BMI 15.0 kg.m-2
1.46(1.34–1.59)
BMI 25.0 kg.m-2
0.90(0.88–0.92)
BMI 30.0 kg.m-2
0.89(0.84–0.94)
BMI 40.0 kg.m-2
1.07(1.01–1.13)
BMI 50.0 kg.m-2
1.36(1.24–1.48)
- Overall adverse discharge (unable to live independently after surgery)
- 9495 (12.9%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Effect of body mass index on postoperative recovery to independent living: a retrospective cohort study*. Anaesthesia. Published 10 November 2025. doi:10.
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