Bruna Varanda Pessoa

Relationship of Bode Index to Functional Tests in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

OBJECTIVE To determine if there is a correlation between the BODE Index and variables assessed during the Activities of Daily Living assessment, performance on lower limber tests, and peripheral muscle impairment of the upper limb in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten men (aged 58 to 80 years old) with moderate to very severe obstruction were evaluated and classified by the BODE Index. They were evaluated by pulmonary ventilation (V̇E), oxygen consumption (V̇O2), and carbonic gas production (V̇CO2) on the ADL assessment; Distance Walking (DW) in the Six Minute Walking Test (6MWT) and the Six Minute Walking Test on Treadmill (6MWTT); number of repetitions in the Sit-to-Stand Test; and the Hand Grip Strength Test. Correlations were evaluated between the classification and the tests performed (Pearson and Spearman test, p<0.05). RESULTS The mean of the total score for the BODE Index was 2.80 (±1.03), with three patients scoring in the first quartile (Q1) and seven scoring in the second quartile (Q2). This Index showed a negative correlation with the 6MWTT (r=−0.86), the Sit-to-Stand Test (r=−0.66), and the Hand Grip Strength Test (r=−0.83). CONCLUSIONS Our results show that there is no correlation between the BODE Index and the ventilatory and metabolic responses in the Activities of Daily Living assessment. On the other hand, a correlation was observed between the BODE Index and the variables assessed in the 6MWTT, Sit-to-Stand Test, and Hand Grip Strength Test in moderate to very severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients. This suggests that these tests can be employed as predictors of physical exercise capacity, perhaps as complementary tests to the BODE Index.

Avaliação da capacidade de exercício em adolescentes asmáticos e saudáveis

Resumen pt: OBJETIVOS: Comparar o desempenho fisico e as respostas obtidas nos testes de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6) e do degrau de seis minutos (TD6) entre adol...

Teste do degrau e teste da cadeira: comportamento das respostas metábolo-ventilatórias e cardiovasculares na DPOC

OBJECTIVES: Verify the metabolic, ventilatory, cardiovascular and perceived effort responses between the isotime two minute step test (2MST) and six minute step test (6MST) with two minute sit-to-stand test (STST) in individuals with COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS:11 men with COPD (71 ± 8 years, FEV1 = 46.1 ± 15.2% predicted), clinically stable, were evaluation by STST and 6MST associated gas analysis and blood lactate in days which were not consecutive and not coincidental. In the 6MST and 2MST, the subjects were instructed ascend-to-descend a step 20 cm in height as quickly as possible. It was recommended that in the STST was performed in a chair 46 cm high. RESULTS: In the inter-tests analysis, there was no significant difference in the metabolic, ventilatory, cardiovascular variables and delta of variation (Δ) dyspnea at the peak of both tests, and 2MST. The Δheart frequency and Δfatigue in the lower limbs were significantly higher compared to STST for 2MST. We observed moderate and strong positive correlations between oxygen consumption, Δheart frequency and performances in 2MST and 6MST, between performances in 6MST and STST, and 2MST with STST. CONCLUSION: The tests showed metabolic, ventilatory, cardiovascular and dyspnoea responses similar; and 2MST, can be alternative to assess the functional limitations of individuals with COPD severe obstruction, providing a lower cardiovascular stress and muscle fatigue compared to the STST, the peripheral metabolic requirements and postural adjustments.

Reproducibility of Cadence-Free 6-Minute Step Test in Subjects with COPD

BACKGROUND: Six-minute step test (6MST) has been used to assess functional capacity in chronic conditions; however, its reproducibility in the COPD population has not been evaluated. Our study objective was to evaluate 6MST reproducibility. METHODS: The test was performed in a single 20-cm height step, and subjects were instructed to step up and down (cadence-free) for 6 min. Subjects underwent three tests. The first and second were controlled by the same assessor with a 30-min interval. The third test was controlled by a different assessor one week later. For intra-rater comparison, the first and second performances of the test were used, and for inter-assessor comparison, the better performance of the first two tests was compared with the third test. RESULTS: Excellent intra-rater and inter-rater relative reproducibility was observed (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.8), and there was no statistical difference (repeated measures of analysis of variance) among the performances of the three tests. Intra-rater error values were acceptable (mean error of 5.7 steps and limits of agreement between −7 and 18 steps). Inter-rater error values were not acceptable (mean error of 4.4 steps and limits of agreement between −20 and 29 steps. CONCLUSIONS: 6MST proved to be reproducible in the COPD population when performed by the same assessor.

Validity of the six-minute step test of free cadence in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objectives: to evaluate the concurrent validity of the six-minute step test (6MST) in assessing exercise capacity of COPD patients using the six-minute walk test (6MWT) as a gold-standard. The predictive validity of the 6MST was assessed to determine a cut-off point for identification of low exercise capacity. Method: thirty-two COPD patients (50-87 years old) with mild to very severe obstruction performed the 6MST and 6MWT twice. Results: Concurrent validity: a strong positive correlation (Pearson) between the number of ascents on the first (T1), second (T2) and the best of both (T1 or T2) tests during the 6MWT was observed. Although a moderate negative correlation with BODE index and FEV1 was found, it was considered insufficient to test the validity, therefore ROC curves were not applied. The predictive validity (ROC) of the 6MST to identify low physical capacity (compared with the 6MWT) using the performance of T1 or T2, or solely T1 was considered accurate, and the area under the curve was 0.8 (IC95% 0.62-0.98) and 0.85 (IC95% 0.70-0.99), respectively. To classify patients, the cut-off points of 86 and 78 steps were chosen, with both values showing 90% of sensitivity and specificity of 64% and 68% for T1 or T2, or solely T1, respectively. Conclusion: The number of steps on the 6MST was valid to verify exercise capacity in COPD patients and the cut-off point of 78 steps was able to identify patients with poor exercise tolerance. Values under this cut-off point are considered to identify patients with a poorer prognosis.

Comparação de valores de PFE em uma amostra da população da cidade de São Carlos, São Paulo, com valores de referência

OBJECTIVE To compare the reference values for PEF suggested by other authors in 1963, 1989 and 2001 (for populations in the USA, England and Cuba, respectively) with those obtained from a population sample in the city of São Carlos, Brazil, and to determine whether there is concordance among them. METHODS A total of 243 volunteers (123 females and 120 males; 20-70 years of age) participated in the study. The PEF measurements were performed with the volunteer standing, using a nose clip, by means of a portable peak flow meter. These measurements were compared with the reference values using the Friedman test and Dunns post-hoc test (p < 0.05). RESULTS Significant differences were found in all age groups from both genders regarding the values predicted in 1989; the same occurred in the 20-30 and 31-40 age groups (both genders), as well as in the 61-70 age group (females only), regarding those predicted in 2001, as well as in the 20-30 age group (males only) regarding those predicted in 1963. CONCLUSIONS The values predicted in 1963 are appropriate for a population of individuals with the same characteristics as the study sample, except for males in the 20-30 age group. Our study is relevant due to the fact that our sample was larger than that evaluated in the 1963 study. The majority of the values predicted in 1989 and 2001 overestimated the PFE values obtained in our study, proving to be inappropriate for the population studied.

Comparison of five portable peak flow meters

OBJECTIVE To compare the measurements of spirometric peak expiratory flow (PEF) from five different PEF meters and to determine if their values are in agreement. Inaccurate equipment may result in incorrect diagnoses of asthma and inappropriate treatments. METHODS Sixty-eight healthy, sedentary and insufficiently active subjects, aged from 19 to 40 years, performed PEF measurements using Air Zone®, Assess®, Galemed®, Personal Best® and Vitalograph® peak flow meters. The highest value recorded for each subject for each device was compared to the corresponding spirometric values using Friedman’s test with Dunn’s post-hoc (p<0.05), Spearman’s correlation test and Bland-Altman’s agreement test. RESULTS The median and interquartile ranges for the spirometric values and the Air Zone®, Assess®, Galemed®, Personal Best® and Vitalograph® meters were 428 (263–688 L/min), 450 (350–800 L/min), 420 (310–720 L/min), 380 (300–735 L/min), 400 (310–685 L/min) and 415 (335–610 L/min), respectively. Significant differences were found when the spirometric values were compared to those recorded by the Air Zone® (p<0.001) and Galemed ® (p<0.01) meters. There was no agreement between the spirometric values and the five PEF meters. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the values recorded from Galemed® meters may underestimate the actual value, which could lead to unnecessary interventions, and that Air Zone® meters overestimate spirometric values, which could obfuscate the need for intervention. These findings must be taken into account when interpreting both devices’ results in younger people. These differences should also be considered when directly comparing values from different types of PEF meters.

Efeitos do exercício resistido de membros superiores na força muscular periférica e na capacidade funcional do paciente com DPOC

INTRODUCAO: A disfuncao muscular periferica na doenca pulmonar obstrutiva cronica (DPOC) contribui diretamente para a intolerância ao exercicio fisico, porem ainda nao ha consenso sobre estrategias adequadas de treinamento fisico para esses pacientes. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do exercicio resistido de membros superiores (MMSS) em pacientes com DPOC moderada a muito grave no ganho de forca e na capacidade funcional. METODOS: Doze pacientes com DPOC foram divididos em dois grupos: controle (GC) e treinado (GT). O GT realizou treinamento de forca, tres vezes por semana, durante seis semanas, com carga de 80% de uma repeticao maxima (RM). Antes e apos o tratamento, foram realizados os testes de 1 RM e o Pegboard and Ring Test (PBRT) em ambos os grupos. RESULTADOS: Apos o tratamento, verificou-se aumento significativo da forca muscular no GT (aumento de 52% no supino sentado e 22% no pulley, com p < 0,05); e quanto ao PBRT, nao houve diferenca significativa em ambos os grupos. CONCLUSAO: O treinamento de forca de MMSS com duracao de seis semanas foi capaz de aumentar a forca muscular, mas nao a funcionalidade de pacientes com DPOC moderada a muito grave.

Influência da doença de Parkinson em capacidade física, função pulmonar e índice de massa magra corporal

INTRODUCTION: Patients with Parkinsons disease (PD) have severe airway obstruction, fatigue and respiratory muscle incoordination, reduced muscle mass and muscle weakness and fatigue, leading to exercise intolerance and reduced quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare the lean body mass index (LBMI), spirometric variables, respiratory muscle strength and physical capacity of DP patients and healthy elderly. Also, verify which of these variables influence exercise capacity in patients with PD. MATERIALS ANS METHODS: Twenty-five individuals of both sexes were evaluated: ten DP patients (PD group [PDG]: 72.7 ± 10.0 years old) and 15 healthy elderly (Healthy group [HG]: 64.8 ± 6.7 years old), through spirometry, respiratory muscle strength, body composition and 6MWT. RESULTS: The PDG presented significantly lower values, forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity, maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), muscle mass, maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory pressures (MEP) and the covered distance in the 6MWT compared to HG. In PDG, moderately positive correlations significant (p < 0.001) were observed between MEP and MVV with covered distance in the 6MWT (r = 0.84; r = 0.67, respectively), and between the LBMI with MVV (r = 0.69). CONCLUSION: The patients of PDG had reduced muscle mass, respiratory muscle strength and endurance, and of physical capacity compared to healthy elderly. Also, expiratory muscle strength and respiratory muscles endurance influence physical capacity (measured by 6MWT), as well as muscle mass influence the respiratory muscle endurance in patients with PD. This way, we have found the importance of the 6MWT to become a standard method of assessment in clinical practice in patients with DP.

Should the 6-Minute Walk Test Be Compared When Conducted by 2 Different Assessors in Subjects With COPD?

BACKGROUND: The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is an important tool in the assessment of functional capacity and prognosis in patients with COPD. However, especially in long-term follow-up in clinical settings, this test may be executed by a different assessor, and it is not well known whether 6MWT has an acceptable inter-rater reliability. The aim of this study is to analyze the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the performance in 6MWT, its cardiorespiratory changes, and effort perception in subjects with COPD. METHODS: Thirty-two subjects with a diagnosis of COPD participated in the study, but 3 subjects did not appear on the second day of evaluation and therefore were included only in the intra-rater analysis; the first and second tests were executed by the same assessor with a 30-min interval between them, and the last was executed by a different assessor a week later. The intra-rater reliability was verified comparing the first and second 6MWT performance, and the inter-rater reliability was verified comparing the third test with the best performance of the first and second tests. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient values were >0.75 (P < .001) for the walked distance on the 6MWT; however, the limits of agreement, SE of measurement, and minimal detectable difference were higher than the minimum clinically important differences already mentioned in the literature (∼25, 26, and 54 m), and the coefficient of variation was small in both intra- and inter-rater comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: The 6MWT showed excellent reliability for distance and perceived exertion and moderate to excellent for HR and SD as assessed by intra- and inter-rater analysis. Thus, based on the main study outcomes, we concluded that the 6MWT can be compared when conducted by 2 different evaluators.