Non-Surgical Interventions for Hospitalized Adults with Class II or Class III Obesity: A Scoping Review

Merridie Rees,1,2 Clare E Collins,3 Nienke De Vlieger,3 Vanessa M McDonald1,2 1John Hunter Hospital, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; 2Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs and the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; 3Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition and the School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, AustraliaCorrespondence: Vanessa M McDonaldSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Newcastle, Locked Bag 1000, New Lambton, NSW, 2305, AustraliaTel +61 2 40420146Fax +61 2 40420046Email vanessa.mcdonald@newcastle.edu.auAbstract: Adult inpatients with Class II or III obesity and comorbidities have a high health burden with frequent hospitalizations. Surgical risk and patient choice can be contraindications to bariatric surgery, which is considered the gold standard treatment. The best approach to non-surgical management for this adult inpatient group is currently unknown. The aim of this scoping review was to summarize current research in the inpatient setting. The unpublished literature and six electronic database searches identified 4,582 articles, with 12 articles (reporting on 10 studies) eligible and included. The literature on the interventions and their key components in the non-surgical care of the adult inpatient with Class II or III obesity were mapped identifying service provision successes and gaps. The articles reported on intensive lifestyle interventions, comparison of oxygen administration regimes, total parenteral nutrition regimens, and pre-surgical rapid weight loss. Study designs included evaluation (n=1), before–after intervention studies (n=3), and randomized/non-randomized controlled trials (n=6). The classification of obesity as a chronic disease is not universal resulting in reduced inpatient treatment options. Recommendations for consumers, practitioner practice, health policy-makers and future research priorities are reported. Further research in the development of cost-effective inpatient models of care is indicated.Keywords: patient care, acute care, obesity, rehabilitation, hospitalized, review