Online resources as a source of information for exercise and physical activity in solid organ transplant recipients.

Introduction: Exercise training post-transplant has been shown to improve physical function and quality of life in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Online resources in the form of websites and videos are commonly used to provide education and instruction on exercise and physical activity in SOT; however, the content and quality of these online resources has not been evaluated. Methods: The first 200 websites and videos identified on Google and YouTube using the English search term "exercise and physical activity in solid organ transplantation" were analyzed. Website and video content was evaluated based on 25 key components of exercise and physical activity in SOT as described in established exercise program recommendations. Website and video quality was determined using DISCERN, Global Quality Scale (GQS), and Patient Education Materials and Assessment Tool (PEMAT; threshold for which material is deemed understandable or actionable is >70%). Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to assess website and video characteristics, content, and quality metrics. Results: Forty-nine unique SOT websites (n = 15) and videos (n = 34) were identified, with the two most common categories being foundation/advocacy organizations and scientific resources. The average reading grade level of websites was 13 ± 3. Website and video content scores varied significantly (websites 11.3 ± 6.4; videos 8.4 ± 5.3). DISCERN total score and GQS score were low (median range for DISCERN 2.5-3.0; median for GQS 2.0 for both websites and videos, out of 5). PEMAT understandability and actionability scores were also low across websites and videos (mean range 57%-67% and 47%-65%, respectively). Foundation/advocacy websites had higher content and quality scores compared to scientific organizations and news/media articles. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive assessment of online content and quality of website and video resources on physical activity and exercise in adult SOT recipients. There were a limited number of online English patient-directed resources related to physical activity in SOT, most of which only partly captured items outlined in consensus exercise program recommendations and were of low quality and understandability and actionability. This work provides important insight to the English-speaking transplant community on the current state of online exercise health information and provides future direction for resource development.

In-Person Versus Remote 6-Minute Walk and Incremental Shuttle Walk Distances in Advanced Lung Disease.

BACKGROUND: Field-based walk tests conducted remotely may provide an alternative method to a facility-based assessment of exercise capacity for people with advanced lung disease. This prospective study evaluated the level of agreement in the distance walked between a 6-min walk test (6MWT) and an incremental shuttle walk test performed by using standard in-person procedures and test variations and settings. METHODS: Adults with advanced lung disease underwent 4 study visits: (i) one in-person standard 6MWT (30-m corridor) and one in-person treadmill 6MWT, (ii) a remote 6MWT in a home setting (10-m corridor), (iii) 2 in-person standard incremental shuttle walk tests (10-m corridor), and (iv) a remote incremental shuttle walk test in a home setting (10-m corridor). A medical-grade oximeter measured heart rate and oxygen saturation before, during, and for 2 min after the tests. RESULTS: Twenty-eight participants were included (23 men [82%]; 64 (57-67) y old; 19 with interstitial lung disease [68%] and 9 with COPD [32%]; and 26 used supplemental oxygen (93%) [exertional [Formula: see text] of 0.46 ± 0.1]). There was no agreement between the tests. Greater walking distances were achieved with standard testing procedures: in-person 6MWT versus treadmill 6MWT (355 ± 68 vs 296 ± 97; P = .001; n = 28), in-person 6MWT versus remote 6MWT (349 ± 68 vs 293 ± 84; P = .001; n = 24), and in-person incremental shuttle walk test versus remote incremental shuttle walk test (216 ± 62 vs 195 ± 63; P = .03; n = 22). CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the distance walked may have resulted from different track lengths, widths, and walking surfaces. This should be considered in test interpretation if tests are repeated under different conditions.

Prehabilitation in Adult Solid Organ Transplant Candidates.

Purpose of Review: To highlight the importance of biological age in the context of prehabilitation and to present relevant research regarding prehabilitation prior to solid organ transplantation. Recent Findings: Studies on the effect of prehabilitation have been performed in kidney-, lung-, liver-, and heart transplant patient populations. Prior to kidney transplantation, exercise interventions have been shown to improve cardiopulmonary- and physical fitness and result in a decreased length of hospital stay postoperatively. Among lung transplant candidates, various methods of prehabilitation have been studied including home-based, outpatient and in-patient programs, consisting of physical training, psychological support, education, and nutritional interventions. Overall, prehabilitation seems to improve or maintain quality of life and exercise capacity in this patient population. Patients undergoing liver transplantation seem to benefit from prehabilitation as well. Not only does it seem safe and feasible, but significant improvements in aerobic and functional capacity have also been found. Regarding heart transplant candidates, both inpatient and outpatient, supervised prehabilitation programs show promising results with improvements in exercise capacities and quality of life. Summary: Prehabilitation is an effective and safe intervention for improving functional outcomes of solid organ transplant patients. Future studies should evaluate whether prehabilitation translates into improved pre- and post-transplant clinical outcomes.

Feasibility of Virtual Assessment of Physical Frailty in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Single Center, Observational Study.

Objectives: To describe the feasibility of virtual assessments of physical frailty in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients using a modified Fried Frailty Index (mFFI) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and to describe the prevalence of frailty 12-months post-transplant using virtual assessment. Methods: Virtual assessments were performed using an e-questionnaire and a video-call for functional tests. Feasibility variables included: internet quality, video-call duration, presence of a companion, and adverse events. Results: 34 SOT recipients, median age 62 (46-67), 76% lung recipients, 47% female, were included. The video-call had a median duration of 12 minutes (10-15 min), without adverse events. A companion was present in 23 (68%) video-call assessments. Fifteen SOT recipients (44%) were classified as pre-frail by the mFFI, and none were frail. Three participants (8.8%) were classified as frail using the SPPB. Conclusion: Virtual frailty assessments can be used as an alternative to in-person assessments in SOT recipients.

Sarcopenia diagnosis using different criteria as a predictor of early mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health problem, causing secondary sarcopenia. The aim of this study was to evaluate sarcopenia using the definitions proposed by European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People in 2010 (EWGSOP2010) and 2019 (EWGSOP2019) as an independent prognostic factor for worse survival in patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS: Muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance were assessed in a cohort of patients with CKD on hemodialysis. The sample consisted of 127 patients (40% >60 y of age) and 36 patients (28.3%) died after a median follow-up length of 23.5 mo (interquartile range= 14.9 - 29). The EWGSOP2010 and EWGSOP2019 definitions were used for diagnosing sarcopenia. Sarcopenia association with mortality by both definitions was investigated using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models. The area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values for both definitions were also compared. RESULTS: Patients diagnosed with sarcopenia by both criteria had almost three times higher risk for mortality (95% confidence interval,1.45-6.06 and 1.44-6.13, respectively). Patients classified with severe sarcopenia by both definitions had a significantly lower survival, even after the adjusted analysis. The areas under the curve for EWGSOP2010 and EWGSOP2019 did not significantly differ. The sensitivity/specificity analysis was considered similar for both criteria, and around 70% of the patients was correctly classified. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia, notably severe sarcopenia, diagnosed by EWGSOP2010 or EWGSOP2019 criteria, is an independent prognostic factor for worse survival in this population. Early detection with effective interventions may decrease the higher mortality risk among patients with sarcopenia and CKD.

Alzheimer's disease: Is there a role for galectins?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the world's leading cause of neurological dysfunction, cognitive decline, and neuronal loss in the elderly. The sedimentation of beta amyloid (Aß)-containing plaque, and formation of tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) along with extensive neuroinflammation, are the events that characterize the pathogenesis of AD. Galectins (gal) are carbohydrate-containing-ligand molecules recognized as potential modulators of the brain microglia polarization, immunosurveillance, neuroinflammation, and neuroprotection. Galectins 1, 3, 4, 8, and 9 are amongst the 15 members of the galectin family which are expressed in the brain. These galectins possess a significant correlation with neuromodulation through the glial cell-induced cytokine production that plays either a complementary or antagonistic role in the disturbance of the CNS physiology. Therefore, elaborating the hypothesis of galectins in the development of AD is of potential interest. This review aims at discussing the interaction between galectins and the neuropathophysiology of AD. An understanding about how galectins communicate with AD progression could lead to the development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this leading cause of dementia worldwide.

Quality of life and neuropsychomotor development of infants between 4-18 months in daycare center.

Quality of Life (QoL) is a predictor of development depending on multiple factors, being the QoL of infants still little studied, especially in permanent settings such as infants educational center or daycare centers. Correlate quality of life with age, family income and the neuropsychomotor development of infants between 4 and 18 months of age in daycare centers. Descriptive transverse study research, with clinical trials registration : RBR 2hd6sm on November 2, 2016. Quality of life was evaluated with interviews with the family through Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory-PedsQL™ (Brazilian version). The infants were evaluated in a playful way, through the use of Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and Denver II test . 88 infants participated in the study. The infants evaluated had a good quality of life, with scores above 64%. AIMS presented the correlation with for physical functioning and total score of QoL. QoL of infants from 4 to 18 months of age is correlated with their neuropsychomotor development, which suggests the need for investigations between this theme and daycare centers.

Quality of life and neuropsychomotor development of infants between 4-18 months in daycare center / Qualidade de vida e desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor de bebês de 4-18 meses em centros de educação infantil

Abstract Quality of Life (QoL) is a predictor of development depending on multiple factors, being the QoL of infants still little studied, especially in permanent settings such as infants educational center or daycare centers. Correlate quality of life with age, family income and the neuropsychomotor development of infants between 4 and 18 months of age in daycare centers. Descriptive transverse study research, with clinical trials registration : RBR 2hd6sm on November 2, 2016. Quality of life was evaluated with interviews with the family through Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory-PedsQL™ (Brazilian version). The infants were evaluated in a playful way, through the use of Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and Denver II test . 88 infants participated in the study. The infants evaluated had a good quality of life, with scores above 64%. AIMS presented the correlation with for physical functioning and total score of QoL. QoL of infants from 4 to 18 months of age is correlated with their neuropsychomotor development, which suggests the need for investigations between this theme and daycare centers.

Resumo Qualidade de vida (QV) é um preditor de desenvolvimento e depende de múltiplos fatores, sendo a QV de bebês ainda pouco estudada, especialmente em ambientes de permanência como os centros de educação infantil ou creches. Correlacionar a qualidade de vida com idade, renda familiar e desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor de bebês entre 4 a 18 meses de idade que frequentam centros de educação infantil. Pesquisa descritiva transversal, com registro clínico RBR 2hd6sm em novembro de 2016. A Qualidade de Vida foi avaliada por meio de entrevistas com as famílias com o questionário Pediátrico de Qualidade de Vida-PedsQL™ (versão brasileira). Os bebês foram avaliados de maneira lúdica pela escala motora infantil de Alberta (AIMS) e pela Denver II. 88 bebês participaram do estudo. Os bebês avaliados tiveram uma boa qualidade de vida com escores acima de 64%. AIMS apresentou correlação com os escores de capacidade física e escore total de qualidade de vida. Qualidade de vida de bebês de 4 a 18 meses de idade correlacionam-se com seu desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor, sugerindo a necessidade de investigações sobre esse tema em centros de educação infantil.

Incidence of tuberculosis infection in spondyloarthritis patients treated with biological and conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in an endemic area

Introduction: Registries of spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients' follow-up provided evidence that tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) increase the incidence of active tuberculosis infection (TB). However, most of these registries are from low burden TB areas. Few studies evaluated the safety of biologic agents in TB endemic areas. This study compares the TB incidence rate (TB IR) in anti-TNF-naïve and anti-TNF-experienced subjects with SpA in a high TB incidence setting.Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, medical records from patients attending a SpA clinic during 13 years (2004 to 2016) in a university hospital were reviewed. The TB IR was calculated and expressed as number of events per 105 patients/year; the incidence rate ratio (IRR) associated with the use of TNFi was calculated.Results: A total of 277 patients, 173 anti-TNF-naïve and 104 anti-TNF-experienced subjects, were evaluated; 35.7% (N = 35) of patients who were prescribed an anti-TNF drug were diagnosed with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Total follow-up time (person-years) was 1667.8 for anti-TNF-naïve and 394.9 for anti-TNF-experienced patients. TB IR (95% CI) was 299.8 (37.4-562.2) for anti-TNF naïve and 1012.9 (25.3-2000.5) for anti-TNF experienced subjects. The IRR associated with the use of TNFi was 10.4 (2.3- 47.9).Conclusions: In this high TB incidence setting, SpA patients exposed to anti-TNF therapy had a higher incidence of TB compared to anti-TNF-naïve subjects, although the TB incidence in the control group was significant.(AU)

Relatos de Séries de Casos de Adultos Institucionalizados com Deficiência Múltipla: Como Avaliar a Funcionalidade? / Reports of Case Series of Institutionalized Adults with Multiple Disabilities: how to Assess Functionality?

RESUMO: O objetivo deste artigo é propor e aplicar uma forma de classificação neurofuncional, baseada em posicionamentos e transferências em adultos institucionalizados com deficiência múltipla grave. O método utilizado foi o estudo transversal, descritivo, em uma instituição de longa permanência de Curitiba, estado do Paraná. Foi realizada filmagem dos participantes nas posições da escala Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), transferências de posturas e deslocamento. A pontuação de 1 a 5 pontos foi dada a partir da escala Aquatic Functional Assessment Scale (AFAS), como uma adaptação em solo. Utilizou-se a Classificação Internacional da Funcionalidade (CIF) como ferramenta para detalhar as posições quanto aos qualificadores de facilitadores e restritores para cada participante. Foram avaliados cinco participantes com deficiência múltipla, com idades entre 21 e 29 anos, com predomínio do sexo feminino (80%). Apenas um participante tinha a marcha assistida e 3 (60%) apresentaram estereotipia de mãos ou tronco. As transferências entre as posições não foram realizadas de forma independente por nenhum participante. A maior pontuação encontrada pela AFAS foi de 14 pontos e a pior foi de 5 pontos. Os resultados indicam que a CIF foi sensível para perceber os movimentos ou posicionamentos restritores e facilitadores para cada um dos participantes, e ela pode ser capaz de auxiliar na escolha das melhores formas de avaliação.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this paper is to propose and apply a form of functional neurological classification, based on positioning and transference in institutionalized adults with severe multiple disabilities. The method used was the cross-sectional, descriptive study in a long-stay institution in Curitiba, state of Paraná, Brazil. Participants were filmed at the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), posture transfer and displacement positions. The score from 1 to 5 points was given from the Aquatic Functional Assessment Scale (AFAS), as an adaptation to the floor. The International Classification of Functionality (ICF) was used as a toll to detail the positions regarding qualifiers of facilitators and restrictors for each participant. Five participants with multiple disabilities were evaluated, aged between 21 and 29 years, with a predominance of females (80%). Only one participant had assisted gait and 3 (60%) had stereotyped hands or upper body. Transfers between positions were not performed independently by any participant. The highest score found by AFAS was 14 points and the worst score was 5 points. The results indicate that the ICF was sensitive to perceive the movements or restrictive positions and facilitators for each of the participants and it may be able to help in choosing the best forms of evaluation.

Treating psoriatic arthritis to target: discordance between physicians and patients' assessment, non-adherence, and restricted access to drugs precluded therapy escalation in a real-world cohort.

The treat-to-target strategy (T2T) was associated with better outcomes in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared to standard care in clinical trials. This study aimed to analyze factors precluding treatment optimization in a T2T strategy conducted in a real-world cohort of PsA patients. A retrospective cross-sectional study nested in a cohort was conducted. Medical records of patients ≥ 18 years old, fulfilling CASPAR criteria and with at least one visit in the PsA clinic, were reviewed. Demographic data, current medication, and minimal disease activity (MDA) criteria were recorded. Reasons for the non-escalation of therapy in patients who were not classified as MDA were reported as absolute and relative frequencies. In the 8-month period, 131 visits (corresponding to 74 patients) were conducted. The MDA criteria were available in 113 visits (86.3%) and patients were classified as MDA in 31.0% of the visits (N = 35/113). Although in 69.0% of the visits patients were not in MDA, (N = 78/113), therapy was adjusted in only 42.3% (N = 33/78). Reasons precluding treatment escalation in non-MDA subjects were physician's impression of remission (57.7%, N = 26), non-adherence to previous prescription (17.8%, N = 8), restricted access to drugs (17.8%, N = 8), adverse events (11.1%, N = 5), poor understanding of medication instructions (6.7%, N = 3), patient's refusal to escalate therapy (4.4%, N = 2), and recent change in therapy (2.2%, N = 1). Discordance between the physician's clinical evaluation and the MDA criteria, non-adherence to prescription, and poor access to drugs were the main factors precluding escalation of therapy in a T2T strategy in a real-world PsA cohort.

Early intervention program by ICF model for babies of 4-18 months frequenting daycare center: protocol for clinical trial

A daycare center is a long-term place for infants, which means that early intervention programs should be thought of in this environment. There are still many gaps regarding the best way of stimulation/intervention, duration and description of effects and controlled outcomes. Aim: The objective of this clinical trial is to propose an early physical activity intervention program performed in infants of 4-18 months with risk/delay and with typical development at infant's daycare. Method: The protocol of this study is indicated for a controlled trial, in a crossover format, to be applied in 4 groups composed by in 4-18 month-old infants who attend daycare: Intervention group 1 Typical, Intervention group 1 Risk/delay, group Intervention 2 Typical, group Intervention 2 Risk/delay, in 4-18 month old infants who attend daycare. The ICF criteria about functions and structure (through evaluation questionnaire) are considered, as well as activities and participation (AIMS, Denver II, and PedsQl™ evaluation), personal characteristics (questionnaire, ABEP and AHEMD-IS) and environmental factors (AHEMD-IS). Conclusion: This original proposal can highlight a low-cost intervention program performed in a daycare environment verifying the infant's NMD in a systematized way using theoretical basis.(AU)

A multidisciplinaridade na redução da levodopa na pessoa com doença de Parkinson avançada / Multidisciplinary care and the reduction of levodopa intake of patients with advanced Parkinson's disease

Objetivo: Identificar e comparar as pessoas com Doença de Parkinson (DP) que fazem atividades multidisciplinares com aqueles que não fazem. Método: Os participantes foram avaliados quanto ao estadiamento Hoehn e Yahr (HY) (1-4), idade, dose diária de levodopa, que atividades que participa, qualidade de vida (PDQ-39), atividade de vida diária e motor (UPDRS). Eles compararam os participantes e não participantes de atividades multidisciplinares quanto a estratificação dos níveis de HY entre aqueles com déficit de equilíbrio (níveis 3 e 4 HY), e aqueles que não têm problemas de equilíbrio (níveis 1 e 2 HY). Resultados: Avaliados 49 participantes de ambos os sexos (21 mulheres, 28 homens), destes 17 não participam de terapias multidisciplinares e 32 realizam pelo menos uma atividade interdisciplinar. Não houve diferenças entre os grupos. No entanto, ao estratificar os níveis de HY, percebemos que houve uma diferença estatística no nível de HY mais elevado quanto a dose diária de levodopa prescrita, entre participantes e não participantes de atividades multidisciplinares (P = 0,017). Conclusões: O achado aponta que para esse grupo de pessoas com maior gravidade da DP, que praticam atividades multidisciplinares precisam de dose de levodopa estatisticamente menor

Objective: To identify and compare people with Parkinson Disease (PD) doing multidisciplinary activities with those who do not realize. Method: Participants were evaluated for the Hoehn and Yahr (HY) (1-4), age, daily dose of levodopa, what activities they participate in and quality of life (PDQ-39), UPDRS activities of daily living and motor (UPDRS). They compared participants and non-practicing multidisciplinary activities stratifying the levels of HY between those with balance deficit (levels 3 and 4 HY), and those who do not have balance problems (levels 1 and 2 HY). Results: Attended by 49 participants of both genders (21 women, 28 men), these 17 do not participate in other therapies and 32 perform at least one multidisciplinary activity. There were no differences between groups participants and non-participating multidisciplinary activities. However, when stratifying the levels of HY, we realized that there was a statistical difference at the highest level of HY, the daily dose prescribed levodopa, between participants and non-participating multidisciplinary activities (P=0.017). Conclusions: The finding points that for this group of people with PD, with greater severity of PD, those who practice multidisciplinary activities need a statistically lower dose of levodopa

Edentulous patients' knowledge of dental hygiene and care of prostheses.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse denture users' oral care habits with regard to the use of their prostheses. BACKGROUND: Rehabilitative treatment is only successful when patients are motivated and aware of correct prosthesis use and hygiene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaires were distributed to 150 complete denture users at the Federal University of Bahia School of Dentistry, the Esmeralda Natividade Health Center, the Bahian Science Development Foundation and a Salvador nursing home. The questionnaire included information on gender, age, length of prosthesis use, cleaning methods and materials, etc. The data were analysed using EpiInfo version 6 software. The chi-squared test was used for statistical analysis, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Questionnaire results showed that 78% of the subjects, with an average age of 67.3 years, had used the same complete denture for over 5 years. 64% slept with their prostheses and 44% removed them from the mouth only for cleaning. None of the patients interviewed knew anything about brushes designed specifically for complete dentures. 37.3% had a restricted diet and 44% believed that a complete denture would last for more than 10 years. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that the edentulous patients surveyed had limited awareness of prosthetic hygiene and long-term oral care despite extended periods of denture use.