Isabel de Castro Schenkel

Validação para o português do Maugerl CaRdiac preventiOn-Questionnaire (MICRO-Q)

BACKGROUND The Maugerl CaRdiac preventiOn-Questionnaire (MICRO-Q) is a validated specific tool used to assess the knowledge of the patient with coronary disease on aspects related to the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVE To translate, adapt and validate the MICRO-Q to Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS Two initial independent translations were carried out into Brazilian Portuguese. After their comparison, the reverse translation was carried out, which was reviewed by a committee and generated the final version that was tested in a pilot study. The tool was applied to 212 coronary patients, with a mean age of 60 to 71 years (standard deviation = 9.4; range: 35-86) that participated in cardiac rehabilitation programs. The internal consistency was verified by Cronbachs Alpha Coefficient, correlation through Spearmans Rho and the validity of the construct was verified through exploratory factorial analysis. The means were analyzed by comparing the scales of the correct questions in relation to variables such as age, sex, associate comorbidities, degree of schooling, family income, among others. RESULTS The Brazilian version of the MICRO-Q has 25 questions. The reliability of this version presented a Cronbachs Alpha Coefficient of 0.64 and a Spearmans Rho of the correct answers of 0.65. The factorial analysis showed 6 factors related to the domains of knowledge of the questionnaire. The analysis of the population characteristics regarding the scales of the correct questions presented significant differences only in relation to monthly family income and degree of schooling. CONCLUSION The approved Brazilian version of the MICRO-Q presents adequate validity and reliability for its use in future studies.

Exercício físico controla pressão arterial e melhora qualidade de vida

BACKGROUND: Hypertension can be correctly treated when exercise is regularly practiced and hence, patients would not need anti-hypertensive drugs. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of treatment exclusively with exercise on blood pressure (BP) and quality of life (QL) of hypertensive subjects. METHODS: Clinical trial with 32 sedentary hypertensive subjects, aged 55 ± 9 years, under pharmacological treatment (PT) randomly allocated to Exercise Group (EG) and Control Group (CG). At EG, 18 subjects (50% women) at least 10 days after the cessation of PT started the exercise program of 10 weeks, 3x/week, 30 minutes of aerobic exercise followed by resistance exercises, while 14 CG (57% women) remained under PT. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was evaluated by auscultation at the beginning and end and QL was evaluated using the questionnaire MINICHAL. Data were expressed as mean ± SD and statistical analysis was performed using t test, Mann Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS: At the beginning and end of the study, no significant differences in were observed in BP between groups. Within groups, BP in EG remained similar to the values before drugs were removed (SBP 132.2 ± 13.3 x 134.4 ± 10 mmHg, DBP 85.0 ± 9 x 85.3 ± 10 mmHg p = ns) and the CG (SBP 127.2 ± 19 x 130.2 ± 16 mmHg, DBP 82.1 ± 16 x 85.3 ± 12 mmHg p = ns).For QL, no inter-group difference was observed in scores at the beginning and end; intra-group significant improvement in the emotional aspect of the EG (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The anti-hypertensive therapy with exercise only in comparison to conventional pharmacological treatment allowed the same BP control and better QL perception.