Relationship between acute phase reactant proteins (APRP) and fatigue during post-operative convalescence

Surgery originates an inflammatory state which triggers an acute phase response (APR). In this study, variations in the acute phase reactant proteins (APRP) and their relationship with fatigue were assessed. A total of 58 candidate patients for elective abdominal surgery participated in this study. In the preoperative period (PRE) and in the post-operative period (9 days [9-P], 27 days [27-P] and 45 days [45-P]), variations in serum APRP and fatigue were analyzed. In the post-operative period (9-P), a significant decrease in PT, ALB, PAB, TRF, and an increase in CER were observed. In 27-P, significant decreases were observed in PAB and PBR, with increased PT and CER, and without significant variations in ALB ad TRF. In the 45-P day, a concomitant increase in PT and CER was observed. Dynamometric parameters also decreased significantly in the post-operative period (9-P). In conclusion, our results demonstrate the existence of changes in serum proteins and in APRP after an elective abdominal surgical intervention, which are associated with fatigue, evaluated both by subjective and objective (dynamometry) means and the use of a mathematical model that considers weight, proteins and APRP.