Cristina Jácome

Prevalence and impact of urinary incontinence among female athletes.

To assess the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in a group of female athletes and to explore its impact on their lives.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Mild COPD: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is effective in improving exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD. Quadriceps strength and HRQOL can be impaired in patients with mild COPD, therefore, patients at this grade may already benefit from PR. However, the impact of PR in patients with mild COPD remains unestablished. Thus, this systematic review assessed the impact of PR on exercise capacity, HRQOL, health-care resource use and lung function in patients with mild COPD. METHODS: The Web of Knowledge, EBSCO, MEDLINE, and SCOPUS databases were searched up to April 2013. Reviewers independently selected studies according to the eligibility criteria. RESULTS: Three studies with different designs (retrospective, one group pretest-posttest, and randomized controlled trial) were included. Out-patient PR programs were implemented in two studies, which included mainly aerobic, strength, and respiratory muscle training. The randomized controlled trial compared a PR home-based program, consisting of 6 months of walking and participating in ball games, with standard medical treatment. Significant improvements in exercise capacity (effect size [ES] 0.87–1.82) and HRQOL (ES 0.24–0.86) were found when comparing pretest-posttest data and when comparing PR with standard medical treatment. In one study, a significant decrease in hospitalization days was found (ES 0.38). No significant effects were observed on the number of emergency department visits (ES 0.32), number of hospitalizations (ES 0.219), or lung function (ES 0.198). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the PR programs had significant positive effects on exercise capacity and HRQOL in patients with mild COPD; however, their effects on health-care resource use and lung function were inconclusive. This systematic review suggests that patients with mild COPD may benefit from PR; however, insufficient evidence is still available. Studies with robust designs and with longer follow-up times should be conducted.

Day-to-day living with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Towards a family-based approach to the illness impacts

Objective: This study explores the perspectives of both patients and family members regarding the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in their family life. Design: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted with patients and their family members in the chronic phase of COPD. Individual interviews were performed to explore participants’ perspectives and submitted to thematic analysis. Results: Six major themes emerged from patients’ perspective: (1) impact of COPD symptoms on personal and family daily life; (2) (over)protective family support; (3) difficulties in couple communication; (4) sense of identity loss; (5) fear of COPD progression; and (6) coping resources. Five main themes emerged from the family members’ perspective: (1) restrictions in family’s social life; (2) emotional distress related to COPD exacerbations; (3) tension in couple relationship; (4) financial strain of COPD; and (5) coping resources. Conclusions: The overall findings illustrate the complex interaction between the experience of living with COPD and communication patterns, emotional states, social support and social roles within the family. The results highlight the need to develop family-based interventions to facilitate a functional adjustment to COPD. However, these interventions in COPD remain undeveloped and empirical evidence is needed.

Caring for relatives with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: how does the disease severity impact on family carers?

Objectives: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major cause of disability, morbidity and mortality in old age, representing a significant burden for families. However, information on the impacts of caring for relatives with COPD on carers’ psychological health is limited. This study aimed to analyse the subjective burden of family carers of people with early and advanced COPD and its predictor variables. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographics and care-giving characteristics. Self-rated physical and mental health were measured by two items from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health checklist. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess anxiety and depression. Subjective burden was assessed with the Carers’ Assessment of Difficulties Index (CADI). Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. Results: A total of 167 family carers participated: 113 were caring for people with early and 54 with advanced COPD. Both groups presented anxiety/depression symptoms. Those caring for people with advanced COPD reported higher subjective burden, more depression symptoms and poorer self-rated mental health than those caring for early COPD. Advanced COPD (coefficient 6.7), depression (coefficient 6.3), anxiety (coefficient 5.6), care-giving hours per week (coefficient 3.2) and self-rated mental health (coefficient 2.8) were significant predictors of carers’ subjective burden. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the gradual course of COPD imposes an increasing physical and emotional burden on carers, with negative impacts on their psychological health. The study highlights the relevance of early interventions in the context of COPD to prevent carers’ burden.

Efficacy of a Novel Method for Inspiratory Muscle Training in People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background Most inspiratory muscle training (IMT) interventions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been implemented as fully supervised daily training for 30 minutes with controlled training loads using mechanical threshold loading (MTL) devices. Recently, an electronic tapered flow resistive loading (TFRL) device was introduced that has a different loading profile and stores training data during IMT sessions. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a brief, largely unsupervised IMT protocol conducted using either traditional MTL or TFRL on inspiratory muscle function in patients with COPD. Design Twenty patients with inspiratory muscle weakness who were clinically stable and participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation program were randomly allocated to perform 8 weeks of either MTL IMT or TFRL IMT. Methods Participants performed 2 daily home-based IMT sessions of 30 breaths (3–5 minutes per session) at the highest tolerable intensity, supported by twice-weekly supervised sessions. Adherence, progression of training intensity, increases in maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (Pimax), and endurance capacity of inspiratory muscles (Tlim) were evaluated. Results More than 90% of IMT sessions were completed in both groups. The TFRL group tolerated higher loads during the final 3 weeks of the IMT program, with similar effort scores on the 10-Item Borg Category Ratio (CR-10) Scale, and achieved larger improvements in Pimax and Tlim than the MTL group. Limitations A limitation of the study was the absence of a study arm involving a sham IMT intervention. Conclusions The short and largely home-based IMT protocol significantly improved inspiratory muscle function in both groups and is an alternative to traditional IMT protocols in this population. Participants in the TFRL group tolerated higher training loads and achieved larger improvements in inspiratory muscle function than those in the MTL group.

Computerized Respiratory Sounds in Patients with COPD: A Systematic Review

Abstract Computerized respiratory sound analysis provides objective information about the respiratory system and may be useful to monitor patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and detect exacerbations early. For these purposes, a thorough understanding of the typical computerized respiratory sounds in patients with COPD during stable periods is essential. This review aimed to systematize the existing evidence on computerized respiratory sounds in stable COPD. A literature search in the Medline, EBSCO, Web of Knowledge and Scopus databases was performed. Seven original articles were included. The maximum frequencies of normal inspiratory sounds at the posterior chest were between 113 and 130Hz, lower than the frequency found at trachea (228 Hz). During inspiration, the frequency of normal respiratory sounds was found to be higher than expiration (130 vs. 100Hz). Crackles were predominantly inspiratory (2.9–5 vs. expiratory 0.73–2) and characterized by long durations of the variables initial deflection width (1.88–2.1 ms) and two cycle duration (7.7–11.6 ms). Expiratory wheeze rate was higher than inspiratory rate. In patients with COPD normal respiratory sounds seem to follow the pattern observed in healthy people and adventitious respiratory sounds are mainly characterized by inspiratory and coarse crackles and expiratory wheezes. Further research with larger samples and following the Computerized Respiratory Sound Analysis (CORSA) guidelines are needed.

Computerized adventitious respiratory sounds as outcome measures for respiratory therapy: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION: There is a need to develop simple, noninvasive, and sensitive outcome measures for respiratory therapy. Adventitious respiratory sounds (ie, crackles and wheezes) can be objectively characterized with computerized respiratory sound analysis (CORSA) and have been shown to contribute for diagnosis purposes; however, their potential for use as outcome measures is unknown. Thus, this systematic review synthesizes the evidence on the use of computerized adventitious respiratory sounds as outcome measures. METHODS: The Web of Knowledge, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases were searched. Reviewers independently selected studies according to the eligibility criteria. Effect sizes and 95% CIs were computed. RESULTS: Twelve studies with different designs (observational, n = 3; quasi-experimental n = 7; and randomized controlled trial, n = 2) were included. Eight studies were conducted with adults, and 4 studies with children. Most studies explored only one type of adventitious respiratory sound. For wheezes, the occupation rate seemed to be the most promising parameter to be used as an outcome measure, with high/medium effect sizes (0.62–1.82). For crackles, the largest deflection width showed high effect sizes (1.31 and 1.04); however, this was explored in only one study. Crackle number and 2-cycle duration presented conflicting information, with high/poor effect sizes depending on the study. CONCLUSIONS: Specific variables of each adventitious respiratory sound detected and characterized by CORSA showed high effect sizes and, thus, the potential to be used as outcome measures. Further research with robust study designs and larger samples (both of children and adult populations), and following CORSA guidelines is needed to build evidence-based knowledge on this topic.

Computerized Respiratory Sounds Are a Reliable Marker in Subjects With COPD

BACKGROUND: Computerized respiratory sounds have shown potential in monitoring respiratory status in patients with COPD. However, the variability and reliability of this promising marker in COPD are unknown. Therefore, this study assessed the variability and reliability of respiratory sounds at distinct air flows and standardized anatomic locations in subjects with COPD. METHODS: A 2-part study was conducted. Part 1 assessed the intra-subject reliability of respiratory sounds at spontaneous and target (0.4–0.6 and 0.7–1 L/s) air flows in 13 out-patients (69.3 ± 8.6 y old, FEV1 of 70.9 ± 21.4% of predicted). Part 2 characterized the inter-subject variability and intra-subject reliability of respiratory sounds at each standardized anatomic location, using the most reliable air flow, in a sample of 63 out-patients (67.3 ± 10.4 y old, FEV1 of 75.4 ± 22.9% of predicted). Respiratory sounds were recorded simultaneously at 7 anatomic locations (trachea and right and left anterior, lateral, and posterior chest). Air flow was recorded with a pneumotachograph. Normal respiratory sound intensity and mean number of crackles and wheezes were analyzed with validated algorithms. Inter-subject variability was assessed with the coefficient of variation, and intra-subject reliability was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Relative reliability was moderate to excellent for normal respiratory sound intensity and mean number of crackles (ICC of 0.66–0.89) and excellent for mean number of wheezes (ICC of 0.75–0.99) at the 3 air flows. Absolute reliability was greater at target air flows, especially at 0.4–0.6 L/s. Inter-subject variability was high for all respiratory sound parameters and across locations (coefficient of variation of 0.12–2.22). Respiratory sound parameters had acceptable relative and absolute intra-subject reliability at the different anatomic locations. The only exception was the mean number of crackles at the trachea, for which both relative and absolute reliability were poor. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory sound parameters are more reliable at an air flow of 0.4–0.6 L/s and are reliable overall at all anatomic locations. This should be considered in future studies using computerized auscultation.

Effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program with balance training on patients with COPD.

PURPOSE: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have balance impairments. However, pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is associated with only minor improvements in functional balance. Therefore, there is a need to explore the role of balance training within PR. This study aimed at assessing the effects of a PR program, with a specific component of balance training, on functional balance of patients with COPD. METHODS: Outpatients with COPD (N = 22, age = 68.0 ± 11.8 years; forced expiratory volume in 1 second = 72.2 ± 22.3% predicted) participated in a 12-week PR program including exercise training and psychosocial support and education. Exercise training sessions comprised endurance, strength, and a specific component of balance training. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used to assess functional balance before and after the PR. Health-related quality of life (St Georges Respiratory Questionnaire), quadriceps muscle strength (10 repetition maximum), and exercise tolerance (6-minute walk test) were also assessed. RESULTS: Patients demonstrated significant improvements in TUG scores after PR (mean change −1.7 ± 1.4 seconds; P = .001; effect size = 1.249). Before PR, 9 (41%) participants and after PR only 1 (4.5%) participant had a TUG performance worse than the average performance of age-matched healthy peers (P = .008). The St Georges Respiratory Questionnaire symptoms score (P = .012), quadriceps muscle strength (P = .001), and exercise tolerance (P = .001) were also improved. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary rehabilitation with a specific component of balance training had a large effect on functional balance in patients with COPD. Findings highlight the value of including balance training in PR programs. Further research is needed to determine the optimal intervention to improve balance and its specific components among patients with COPD.

Computerized respiratory sounds: a comparison between patients with stable and exacerbated COPD.

Diagnosis of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is often challenging as it relies on patients’ clinical presentation. Computerized respiratory sounds (CRS), namely crackles and wheezes, may have the potential to contribute for the objective diagnosis/monitoring of an AECOPD.