More than 7,500 daily steps prior to surgery is associated with lower risk of postoperative complications

Key findings

About 12.6% of study participants experienced a complication within 90 days of surgery.
The odds of experiencing a complication within 30 days after surgery were 45% less (odds ratio 0.55) if patients took more than 7,500 steps per day prior to surgery than if their Fitbit recorded fewer than 7,500 steps.
After adjusting for comorbidities, BMI, sex, race, and complexity of the operation, the odds of experiencing a complication were 51% lower (odds ratio 0.49) if patients had Fitbit data showing they had walked more than 7,500 steps per day before surgery.