Functional Dependence Prior to ICU Admission is Associated with Worse Clinical and Functional Outcomes in Individuals with COVID-19: A Prospective Observational Study.

Objectives: To determine whether low functional capacity (FC) prior to intensive care unit (ICU) admission due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) might be associated with worse clinical outcomes. To monitor FC until discharge from the ICU. To identify associations between physical outcomes and decreased FC at discharge from the ICU. Design: Prospective observational study conducted from March to August 2021. Setting: ICU for adult patients with COVID-19. Participants: Adults (≥18 years) with COVID-19. Interventions: Not applicable. Main outcome measures: Clinical and demographic data were obtained from medical records. At ICU admission, evaluation was made of FC using the Barthel index (BI), and of the level of mobility using the ICU mobility scale. At ICU discharge, FC and mobility level were reassessed, and muscle strength was measured using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale and the handgrip test. Results: The study was performed with 108 individuals. At the initial assessment, 73.1% of the patients were functionally independent. Length of hospital stay (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05; 95%confidence interval [CI] = 1.00-1.10) and death (OR = 5.27; 95%CI = 1.37-20.28) were related to functional status prior to ICU admission. Between ICU admission and discharge, the BI evaluation indicated a functional decline of 22.5 points. Low mobility level (P = .003) and low muscle strength assessed by the MRC scale (P < .001), measured at ICU discharge, were associated with a greater decrease of FC during the ICU stay. Conclusions: Patients with COVID-19 who were functionally dependent prior to ICU admission presented worse clinical outcomes, with low functional status being associated with longer hospitalization and higher mortality. However, irrespective of the initial functionality status, the surviving individuals suffered from functional decline at ICU discharge. Greater functional decline during the ICU stay was associated with lower muscle strength and lower mobility level at ICU discharge.

Functional Recovery Groups in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients and Their Associated Factors: From ICU to Hospital Discharge.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze functional recovery groups of critically ill COVID-19 survivors during their hospital stay and to identify the associated factors. DESIGN: Prospective observational multicenter study. SETTING: Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic variables were collected, and physical and functional status were evaluated. The Barthel index was evaluated at three time points: 15 days before hospitalization, at ICU discharge, and at hospital discharge from the ward. PATIENTS: Patients with functional independence before COVID-19 diagnosis were recruited from four hospitals and followed up until hospital discharge. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Three groups of functional recovery were described for 328 patients: functional independence ( n = 144; 44%), which included patients who preserved their functional status during hospitalization; recovered functionality ( n = 109; 33.2%), which included patients who showed dependence at ICU discharge but recovered their independence by hospital discharge; and functional dependency ( n = 75; 22.8%), which included patients who were dependent at ICU discharge and had not recovered their functional status at hospital discharge. The factors associated with becoming functionally dependent at ICU discharge were time to out-of-bed patient mobilization (odds ratio [OR], 1.20; 95% CI, 1.11-1.29), age (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04), hyperglycemia (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.56-4.07), and Simplified Acute Physiology Score (OR, 1.022; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04). Recovery to baseline independence during ward stays was associated with ICU length of stay (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94-0.99) and muscle strength (Medical Research Council test) at ICU discharge (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.08-1.18). CONCLUSIONS: Age, hyperglycemia, and time for patient mobilization out of bed were independent factors associated with becoming physically dependent after their ICU stay. Recovery of physical function at hospital discharge was associated with muscle strength at ICU discharge and length of ICU stay.

Architectural anatomy of the quadriceps and the relationship with muscle strength: An observational study utilising real-time ultrasound in healthy adults.

Quadriceps atrophy and morphological change is a known phenomenon that can impact significantly on strength and functional performance in patients with acute or chronic presentations conditions. Real-time ultrasound (RTUS) imaging is a noninvasive valid and reliable method of quantifying quadriceps muscle anatomy and architecture. To date, there is a paucity of normative data on the architectural properties of superficial and deep components of the quadriceps muscle group to inform assessment and evaluation of intervention programs. The aims of this study were to (1) quantify the anatomical architectural properties of the quadriceps muscle group (rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, and vastus lateralis) using RTUS in healthy older adults and (2) to determine the relationship between RTUS muscle parameters and measures of quadriceps muscle strength. Thirty middle aged to older males and females (age range 55-79 years; mean age =59.9 ± 7.08 years) were recruited. Quadriceps muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, pennation angle, and echogenicity were measured using RTUS. Quadriceps strength was measured using hand-held dynamometry. For the RTUS-derived quadriceps morphological data, rectus femoris mean results; circumference 9.3 cm; CSA 4.6 cm2 ; thickness 1.5 cm; echogenicity 100.2 pixels. Vastus intermedius mean results; thickness 1.8 cm; echogenicity 99.1 pixels. Vastus lateralis thickness 1.9 cm; pennation angle 17.3°; fascicle length 7.0 cm. Quadriceps force was significantly correlated only with rectus femoris circumference (r = 0.48, p = 0.007), RF echogenicity (r = 0.38, p = 0.037), VI echogenicity (r = 0.43, p = 0.018), and VL fascicle length (r = 0.43, p = 0.019). Quadriceps force was best predicted by a three-variable model (adjusted R2  = 0.46, p < 0.001) which included rectus femoris echogenicity (B = 0.43, p = 0.005), vastus lateralis fascicle length (B = 0.33, p = 0.025) and rectus femoris circumference (B = 0.31, p = 0.041). Thus respectively, rectus femoris echogenicity explains 43%, vastus lateralis fascicle length explains 33% and rectus femoris circumference explains 31% of the variance of quadriceps force. The study findings suggest that RTUS measures were reliable and further research is warranted to establish whether these could be used as surrogate measures for quadriceps strength in adults to inform exercise and rehabilitation programs.

Immunohistological features related to functional impairment in lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a low-grade neoplasm characterized by the pulmonary infiltration of smooth muscle-like cells (LAM cells) and cystic destruction. Patients usually present with airway obstruction in pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Previous studies have shown correlations among histological parameters, lung function abnormalities and prognosis in LAM. We investigated the lung tissue expression of proteins related to the mTOR pathway, angiogenesis and enzymatic activity and its correlation with functional parameters in LAM patients. METHODS: We analyzed morphological and functional parameters of thirty-three patients. Two groups of disease severity were identified according to FEV1 values. Lung tissue from open biopsies or lung transplants was immunostained for SMA, HMB-45, mTOR, VEGF-D, MMP-9 and D2-40. Density of cysts, density of nodules and protein expression were measured by image analysis and correlated with PFT parameters. RESULTS: There was no difference in the expression of D2-40 between the more severe and the less severe groups. All other immunohistological parameters showed significantly higher values in the more severe group (p ≤ 0.002). The expression of VEGF-D, MMP-9 and mTOR in LAM cells was associated with the density of both cysts and nodules. The density of cysts and nodules as well as the expression of MMP-9 and VEGF-D were associated with the impairment of PFT parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Severe LAM represents an active phase of the disease with high expression of VEGF-D, mTOR, and MMP-9, as well as LAM cell infiltration. Our findings suggest that the tissue expression levels of VEGF-D and MMP-9 are important parameters associated with the loss of pulmonary function and could be considered as potential severity markers in open lung biopsies of LAM patients.

Regulatory T-Cell Distribution within Lung Compartments in COPD.

The importance of the adaptive immune response, specifically the role of regulatory T (Treg) cells in controlling the obstruction progression in smokers, has been highlighted. To quantify the adaptive immune cells in different lung compartments, we used lung tissues from 21 never-smokers without lung disease, 22 current and/or ex-smokers without lung disease (NOS) and 13 current and/or ex-smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for histological analysis. We observed increased T, B, IL-17 and BAFF+ cells in small and large airways of COPD individuals; however, in the NOS, we only observed increase in T and IL-17+ cells only in small airways. A decrease in the density of Treg+, TGF-ß+ and IL-10+ in small and large airways was observed only in COPD individuals. In the lymphoid tissues, Treg, T,B-cells and BAFF+ cells were also increased in COPD; however, changes in Treg inhibitory associated cytokines were not observed in this compartment. Therefore, our results suggest that difference in Treg+ cell distributions in lung compartments and the decrease in TGF-ß+ and IL-10+ cells in the airways may lead to the obstruction in smokers.

Environmental tobacco smoke in the early postnatal period induces impairment in brain myelination.

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, mainly in children. However, few studies focus on the brain development effects of ETS exposure. Myelination mainly occurs in the early years of life in humans and the first three postnatal weeks in rodents and is sensitive to xenobiotics exposure. This study investigated the effects of early postnatal ETS exposure on myelination. BALB/c mice were exposed to ETS generated from 3R4F reference research cigarettes from the third to the fourteenth days of life. The myelination of nerve fibers in the optic nerve by morphometric analysis and the levels of Olig1 and myelin basic protein (MBP) were evaluated in the cerebellum, diencephalon, telencephalon, and brainstem in infancy, adolescence, and adulthood. Infant mice exposed to ETS showed a decrease in the percentage of myelinated fibers in the optic nerve, compared with controls. ETS induced a decrease in Olig1 protein levels in the cerebellum and brainstem and an increase in MBP levels in the cerebellum at infant. It was also found a decrease in MBP levels in the telencephalon and brainstem at adolescence and in the cerebellum and diencephalon at adulthood. The present study demonstrates that exposure to ETS, in a critical phase of development, affects the percentage of myelinated fibers and myelin-specific proteins in infant mice. Although we did not observe differences in the morphological analysis in adolescence and adulthood, there was a decrease in MBP levels in distinctive brain regions suggesting a delayed effect in adolescence and adulthood.

Upper limb function of individuals hospitalized in intensive care: A 6-month cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Impaired physical function is a common complication in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, specific upper limb (UL) function is still poorly studied in this population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate UL function at discharge and after a 6-month follow-up of individuals hospitalized in the ICU. METHODS: This was a longitudinal prospective 6-month multicentre cohort study with forty-six individuals hospitalized in the ICU undergoing mechanical ventilation for ≥ 48 h (ICU Group) and forty-six healthy individuals matched by sex, age, and socioeconomic status (control Group). The primary outcomes were measurements of UL disability using the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTT) and the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT). Secondary outcomes were physical function (Barthel index), muscle strength (Medical Research Council scale and hand grip strength), and quality of life (EuroQol-5 Dimension). All measurements were assessed after ICU discharge and at a 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: The JTT performance time in the ICU group after discharge was worse than that in the control group [121 s (86-165) vs. 54 s (49-61), median (IQR), p<0,001] and was reduced after 6 months [62 s (54-81), p<0,01]. The NHPT performance time at discharge in the ICU group was worse than that in the controls [39 s (33-59) vs. 21 s (20-23), p<0,001] and was reduced after 6 months of follow-up [24 s (21-27), p<0,01]. Physical function, muscle strength and quality of life were reduced after ICU discharge. CONCLUSION: Individuals hospitalized in the ICU presented with reduced UL function at discharge and at the 6-month follow-up.

Chest physiotherapy techniques administered by certified specialists to hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Brazil: A look towards future practice.

BACKGROUND: Chest physiotherapy for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 has been poorly reported. Although recommendations were published to guide physiotherapists, practice might have differed depending on education and training. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differences in chest physiotherapy applied for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 between certified specialists and non-certified specialists. METHODS: An online questionnaire survey was developed for physiotherapists involved in the management of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The questionnaire inquired about professional information and characteristics of physiotherapy practice. RESULTS: There were 485 respondents, yielding a completion rate of 76%. Of these, 61 were certified specialists and 424 non-certified specialists. The certified specialists were older, had more years of professional experience, were more qualified, and had better job conditions. For mechanically ventilated patients, the certified specialists used the ventilator hyperinflation maneuver more frequently (50.4% vs 35.1%, p = 0.005), and the hard/brief expiratory rib cage compression (ERCC) (26.9% vs 48.3%, p = 0.016), soft/long ERCC (25.2% vs 39.1%, p = 0.047), and manual chest compression-decompression (MCCD) maneuver (22.4% vs 35.6%, p = 0.001) less often. For spontaneously breathing patients, the certified specialists used the active cycle of breathing technique (30.8% vs 67.1%, p<0.001), autogenic drainage (7.7% vs 20.7%, p = 0.017), and MCCD maneuver (23.1% vs 41.4%, p = 0.018) less frequently. CONCLUSIONS: Certified specialists with higher levels of expertise seem to prefer the use of chest physiotherapy techniques that are applied with the mechanical ventilator over manual techniques. Furthermore, they use techniques that could potentially increase the work of breathing less frequently, mitigating the risk of exacerbating respiratory conditions in patients with COVID-19.

Extracellular matrix composition in COPD.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) composition has an important role in determining airway structure. We postulated that ECM lung composition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients differs from that observed in smoking and nonsmoking subjects without airflow obstruction. We determined the fractional areas of elastic fibres, type-I, -III and -IV collagen, versican, decorin, biglycan, lumican, fibronectin and tenascin in different compartments of the large and small airways and lung parenchyma in 26 COPD patients, 26 smokers without COPD and 16 nonsmoking control subjects. The fractional area of elastic fibres was higher in non-obstructed smokers than in COPD and nonsmoking controls, in all lung compartments. Type-I collagen fractional area was lower in the large and small airways of COPD patients and in the small airways of non-obstructed smokers than in nonsmokers. Compared with nonsmokers, COPD patients had lower versican fractional area in the parenchyma, higher fibronectin fractional area in small airways and higher tenascin fractional area in large and small airways compartments. In COPD patients, significant correlations were found between elastic fibres and fibronectin and lung function parameters. Alterations of the major ECM components are widespread in all lung compartments of patients with COPD and may contribute to persistent airflow obstruction.

Environmental tobacco smoke induces oxidative stress in distinct brain regions of infant mice.

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) leads to the death of 600,000 nonsmokers annually and is associated with disturbances in antioxidant enzyme capacity in the adult rodent brain. However, little is known regarding the influence of ETS on brain development. The aim of this study was to determine levels of malonaldehyde (MDA) and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), as well as enzymatic antioxidant activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), in distinct brain structures. BALB/c mice were exposed to ETS twice daily for 1 h from postnatal day 5 through postnatal day 18. Acute exposure was performed for 1 h on postnatal day 18. Mice were euthanized either immediately (0) or 3 h after the last exposure. Immediately after an acute exposure there were higher GR and GST activities and MDA levels in the hippocampus, higher GPx and SOD activities in the prefrontal cortex, and higher GST activity and MDA levels in the striatum and cerebellum. Three hours later there was an increase in SOD activity and MDA levels in the hippocampus and a decrease in the activity of all enzymes in the prefrontal cortex. Immediately after final repeated exposure there were elevated levels of GST and GR activity and decreased GPx activity in the hippocampus. Moreover, a rise was found in GPx and GST activities in the prefrontal cortex and increased GST and GPx activity in the striatum and cerebellum, respectively. After 3 h the prefrontal cortex showed elevated GR and GST activities, and the striatum displayed enhanced GST activity. Data showed that enzymatic antioxidant system in the central nervous system responds to ETS differently in different regions of the brain and that a form of adaptation occurs after several days of exposure.

Physiotherapy practice for hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the indications for physiotherapy and to evaluate physiotherapy practices in patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU (on mechanical ventilation) or to the ward (spontaneously breathing). METHODS: An online, 50-item survey was completed by physiotherapists who had been treating hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Brazil. RESULTS: Of the 644 physiotherapists who initiated the survey, 488 (76%) completed it. The main reasons for indications for physiotherapy in both settings reported as "very frequently" and "frequently" both in the ICU and the ward by most respondents were oxygenation improvement (> 95%) and prevention of general complications (> 83%). Physical deconditioning was considered an infrequent indication. When compared with mobilization strategies, the use of respiratory interventions showed great variability in both work settings, and techniques considered effective were underutilized. The most frequently used respiratory techniques in the ICU were positioning (86%), alveolar recruitment (73%), and hard/brief expiratory rib cage compression (46%), whereas those in the ward were active prone positioning (90%), breathing exercises (88%), and directed/assisted cough (75%). The mobilization interventions reported by more than 75% of the respondents were sitting on the edge of the bed, active and resistive range of motion exercises, standing, ambulation, and stepping in place. CONCLUSIONS: The least common reason for indications for physiotherapy was avoidance of deconditioning, whereas oxygenation improvement was the most frequent one. Great variability in respiratory interventions was observed when compared with mobilization therapies, and there is a clear need to standardize respiratory physiotherapy treatment for hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Falls prevalence and risk factors in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Falls are frequent in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and related to increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs in older adults. This systematic review aims to synthesise the falls outcomes and to examine risk factors for falls in the COPD literature. METHODS: The protocol was registered in the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42015017257). Searches were updated and operated in five electronic databases in December 2019 for studies reporting falls outcomes and risk factors in people with COPD. Meta-analyses were conducted on the prevalence of fallers and frequent fallers. Quality assessment appraised the risk of bias of included articles. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies met the eligibility criteria and were retained after the full-text review. In the meta-analyses, the pooled prevalence of COPD fallers was 30% (95%CI 19%-42%), and the pooled prevalence of frequent fallers (≥2 falls in the analysed period of occurrence) was 24% (95%CI 2%-56%). The falls incidence rate in stable COPD varied from 1.17 to 1.49 falls/person-year. Different study methodologies were identified. Age, female gender, falls history, the number of medications, comorbidities, coronary heart disease, use of supplemental oxygen, impaired balance performance and smoking history were risk factors for falls identified in stable COPD. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of fallers, frequent fallers, and falls incidence rate have been reported in the COPD literature using a varying methodology. People with stable COPD present with ageing and disease-related risk factors for falls. Further research using the recommended prospective recording is needed in COPD.

Correction to: Structural alterations and markers of endothelial activation in pulmonary and bronchial arteries in fatal asthma.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13223-019-0363-0.].

Barreiras para a implementação e a prática de reabilitação precoce em pacientes críticos na UTI / Barriers to the implementation and practice of early rehabilitation in critical patients in the ICU

Introdução: A reabilitação precoce pode minimizar a perda de força e funcionalidade causada pela fraqueza muscular adquirida na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), no entanto, sua prática ainda enfrenta obstáculos para implementação plena. Objetivo: identificar as barreiras para implementação e execução da reabilitação precoce em pacientes críticos. Metodologia: Analisou-se, através de um questionário estruturado, as barreiras relacionadas ao paciente, ao processo, as barreiras estruturais e culturais. Quarenta e quatro profissionais da saúde que trabalhavam nas UTI de 2 hospitais participaram da pesquisa. Resultados: As barreiras relacionadas ao paciente mais citadas foram instabilidade hemodinâmica (85,8%), perda de dispositivos (58,9%) e intubação endotraqueal (55,3%). Nas barreiras estruturais identificou-se a falta de diretrizes ou protocolos. Já nas barreiras culturais e relacionadas ao processo, notou-se a falta de um profissional responsável para avaliar os pacientes aptos a iniciar a reabilitação. Conclusão: A plena implementação da reabilitação precoce nos dois hospitais estudados é prejudicada por inúmeras barreiras, especialmente as ligadas ao paciente e as estruturais.

Introduction: Early rehabilitation can minimize the loss of strength and functionality caused by acquired muscle weakness in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU); however, its practice still faces obstacles for full implementation. Objective: To identify barriers to the implementation and execution of early rehabilitation in critically ill patients. Methodology: Barriers related to the patient, the process, structural barriers, and cultural barriers were analyzed through a structured questionnaire. Forty-four healthcare professionals working in the ICUs of two hospitals participated in the survey. Results: The most cited barriers related to the patient were hemodynamic instability (85.8%), loss of devices (58.9%), and endotracheal intubation (55.3%). In structural barriers, the lack of guidelines or protocols was identified. Cultural and process-related barriers included the absence of a responsible professional to assess patients eligible to start rehabilitation. Conclusion: The full implementation of early rehabilitation in the two studied hospitals is hindered by numerous barriers, especially those related to the patient and structural issues.

Atuação da fisioterapia nas emergências neurológicas na Unidade de Urgência e Emergência / The practice of physiotherapy in neurological emergencies of the Urgency and Emergency Unit

Introdução: O Pronto Socorro é destinado a prestar assistência cujos agravos à saúde necessitam de atendimento imediato. Uma estratégia para atender as demandas desse serviço é a formação de equipes interdisciplinares. Objetivos: Analisar a atuação fisioterapêutica nos pacientes com emergências neurológicas internados, identificar os recursos fisioterapêuticos utilizados e associar com o desfecho clínico do paciente. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo observacional descritivo. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de análises dos prontuários fisioterapêuticos. Resultados: O diagnóstico clínico mais prevalente foi de Acidente Vascular Encefálico isquêmico. As principais intervenções realizadas foram mobilização passiva e alongamentos. A comparação de proporções entre mobilização precoce e desfecho foi significante, assim como entre desfecho e extubação. Conclusões: A atuação do fisioterapeuta no Pronto Socorro é ampla, sendo realizada por meio de diversos recursos, principalmente mobilização precoce e manejo ventilatório, levando ao favorecimento do desfecho clínico do paciente. Contudo, mais pesquisas nessa área são necessárias.

Introduction: The Emergency Unit is assigned to provide assistance to health problems that require immediate care. One strategy to meet the demands of this service is the creation of interdisciplinary teams. Objectives: To analyze the physiotherapeutic work in hospitalized patients with neurological emergencies, to identify the physiotherapeutic resources used and to associate them with the patient's clinical outcome. Methods: Retrospective, observational and descriptive study. The information was collected through analysis of physical therapy records. Results: The prevailing clinical diagnosis was ischemic stroke. The main interventions performed were passive mobilization and stretching. The comparison between the proportions of early mobilization and outcome was significant, as well as between clinical outcome and extubation. Conclusions: The work of the physical therapist in the Emergency Unit is vast, and it is carried out through several resources, mainly early mobilization and ventilatory management, aiding the patient's clinical outcome. However, more studies are necessary in this field.

Physiotherapy practice for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 / Prática fisioterapêutica para pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the indications for physiotherapy and to evaluate physiotherapy practices in patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU (on mechanical ventilation) or to the ward (spontaneously breathing). Methods: An online, 50-item survey was completed by physiotherapists who had been treating hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Brazil. Results: Of the 644 physiotherapists who initiated the survey, 488 (76%) completed it. The main reasons for indications for physiotherapy in both settings reported as "very frequently" and "frequently" both in the ICU and the ward by most respondents were oxygenation improvement (> 95%) and prevention of general complications (> 83%). Physical deconditioning was considered an infrequent indication. When compared with mobilization strategies, the use of respiratory interventions showed great variability in both work settings, and techniques considered effective were underutilized. The most frequently used respiratory techniques in the ICU were positioning (86%), alveolar recruitment (73%), and hard/brief expiratory rib cage compression (46%), whereas those in the ward were active prone positioning (90%), breathing exercises (88%), and directed/assisted cough (75%). The mobilization interventions reported by more than 75% of the respondents were sitting on the edge of the bed, active and resistive range of motion exercises, standing, ambulation, and stepping in place. Conclusions: The least common reason for indications for physiotherapy was avoidance of deconditioning, whereas oxygenation improvement was the most frequent one. Great variability in respiratory interventions was observed when compared with mobilization therapies, and there is a clear need to standardize respiratory physiotherapy treatment for hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar as indicações de fisioterapia e avaliar as práticas fisioterapêuticas em pacientes com COVID-19 internados na UTI (em ventilação mecânica) ou na enfermaria (em respiração espontânea). Métodos: Questionário online, com 50 questões, respondido por fisioterapeutas que atendiam pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19 no Brasil. Resultados: Dos 644 fisioterapeutas que iniciaram o questionário, 488 (76%) o concluíram. As principais indicações de fisioterapia relatadas como "muito frequente" e "frequentemente" tanto na UTI quanto na enfermaria pela maioria dos respondentes foram melhora da oxigenação (> 95%) e prevenção de complicações gerais (> 83%). Descondicionamento físico foi considerado uma indicação pouco frequente. Em comparação com as estratégias de mobilização, as intervenções respiratórias apresentaram grande variabilidade em ambos os setores de trabalho, e técnicas consideradas eficazes foram subutilizadas. As técnicas respiratórias mais utilizadas na UTI foram posicionamento (86%), recrutamento alveolar (73%) e compressão torácica expiratória forte e rápida (46%), enquanto, na enfermaria, as mais utilizadas foram posição prona ativa (90%), exercícios respiratórios (88%) e tosse assistida/dirigida (75%). As intervenções de mobilização relatadas por mais de 75% dos respondentes foram sedestação a beira leito, exercícios ativos e resistidos de membros superiores/inferiores, ortostatismo, deambulação e marcha estacionária. Conclusões: A indicação menos frequente de fisioterapia foi prevenção do descondicionamento, enquanto melhora da oxigenação foi a mais frequente. Observou-se grande variabilidade nas intervenções respiratórias em comparação com as terapias de mobilização, e há uma clara necessidade de padronização do tratamento fisioterapêutico respiratório para pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19.

Prevalência de fragilidade autorreferida em pacientes criticamente enfermos acordados e alertas / Prevalencia de fragilidad autodeclarada en pacientes críticamente enfermos despiertos y alertas / Prevalence of self-reported frailty in awake and alert critically ill patients

RESUMO Indivíduos criticamente enfermos internados em unidades de terapia intensiva (UTI) podem apresentar perdas de reservas físicas e cognitivas que aumentam a vulnerabilidade frente a eventos adversos, caracterizando a síndrome da fragilidade. O objetivo do estudo foi delinear a prevalência de fragilidade autorreferida em pacientes criticamente enfermos acordados e alertas internados na UTI de um hospital escola. Foram incluídos indivíduos adultos (≥18 anos), internados por, pelo menos 48 horas nas UTI de um hospital escola de Uberaba-MG, que encontravam-se alertas no momento da avaliação. O indivíduo foi estimulado a referir seu nível de fragilidade utilizando a Escala de Fragilidade Clínica (EFC). Indivíduos com EFC de 1 a 3 foram considerados não frágeis, 4 vulneráveis e maior que 5, frágeis. Foram incluídos 50 indivíduos com idade entre 44 e 78 anos com predominância do sexo masculino. A prevalência de indivíduos frágeis foi nula, 1 indivíduo foi considerado vulnerável e os demais foram considerados não frágeis com predominância da categoria 3, com 64% da população. Ao analisar os dados demográficos e clínicos nas diferentes pontuações da EFC não foi observado diferença estatisticamente significante entre sexo e idade entre as categorias analisadas. O índice de comorbidade funcional foi crescente nas categorias analisadas, (p=0,05). A prevalência de fragilidade autorreferida foi nula em pacientes criticamente enfermos internados em um hospital escola de Uberaba-MG. Escalas autorreferidas para avaliação de fragilidade podem ser incapazes de identificar acuradamente indivíduos frágeis.

RESUMEN Los individuos críticamente enfermos que ingresan en unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) pueden presentar pérdidas de reservas físicas y cognitivas, que aumentan su vulnerabilidad ante eventos adversos y caracterizan el síndrome de fragilidad. El objetivo de este estudio fue delimitar la prevalencia de fragilidad autodeclarada en pacientes críticamente enfermos despiertos y alertas hospitalizados en UCI de un hospital escuela. Participaron individuos adultos (≥18 años), hospitalizados por al menos 48 horas en las UCI de un hospital escuela de Uberaba (Minas Gerais, Brasil), que estaban alertas en el momento de la evaluación. Se estimuló al individuo a informar su nivel de fragilidad utilizando la Escala de Fragilidad Clínica (EFC). Los niveles de 1 a 3 de EFC evaluaban a los individuos como no frágiles; 4 como vulnerables; y superior a 5 como frágiles. Participaron 50 individuos de los 44 años a los 78 años, predominantemente hombres. La prevalencia de individuos frágiles fue nula, 1 individuo se evaluó como vulnerable, y los demás como no frágiles, con un predominio de la categoría 3 en el 64% de la población. Al evaluar los datos demográficos y clínicos en las diferentes puntuaciones de EFC no se encontró diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre sexo y edad entre las categorías analizadas. El índice de comorbilidad funcional tuvo un aumento en las categorías analizadas (p=0,05). La prevalencia de fragilidad autodeclarada fue nula en pacientes críticamente enfermos ingresados en un hospital escuela en Uberaba (Minas Gerais). Las escalas autodeclaradas para evaluar la fragilidad no parecen ser útiles para identificar con exactitud a los individuos frágiles.

ABSTRACT Critically ill subjects admitted to intensive care units (ICU) might experience physical and cognitive reserves losses that increase their vulnerability to adverse events - characterizing frailty syndrome. This study aimed to delineate the prevalence of self-reported frailty in awake and alert critically ill patients admitted to the ICU of a teaching hospital. We included adult subjects (≥18 years old), admitted for at least 48 hours in the ICU of a teaching hospital in the city of Uberaba, state of Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil, who were alert at the time of the assessment. Subjects were encouraged to report their level of frailty using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Subjects with a CFS of 1 to 3 were considered non-fragile, 4 vulnerable, and greater than 5 frail. 50 subjects aged 44 to 78 years, mostly males, were evaluated. The prevalence of frail subjects was null, one subject was considered vulnerable and the others were considered non-frail, in which category 3 prevailed in 64% of the population. When analyzing the demographic and clinical data in the different CFS scores, no statistically significant difference was observed between gender and age in the analyzed categories. The functional comorbidity index was increasing in the analyzed categories, (p=0.05). The prevalence of self-reported frailty was null in critically ill patients admitted to this teaching hospital in Uberaba-MG. Self-reported frailty assessment scales may be inaccurate to identify frail subjects.

Handcrafted cuff manometers do not accurately measure endotracheal tube cuff pressure.

OBJECTIVE: To test the agreement between two handcrafted devices and a cuff-specific manometer. METHODS: The agreement between two handcrafted devices adapted to measure tracheal tube cuff pressure and a cuff-specific manometer was tested on 79 subjects. The cuff pressure was measured with a commercial manometer and with two handcrafted devices (HD) assembled with aneroid sphygmomanometers (HD1 and HD2). The data were compared using Wilcoxon and Spearman tests, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and limit-of-agreement analysis. RESULTS: Cuff pressures assessed with handcrafted devices were significantly different from commercial device measurements (pressures were higher when measured with HD1 and lower with HD2). The ICCs between the commercial device and HD1 and HD2 were excellent (ICC = 0.8 p < 0.001) and good (ICC = 0.66, p < 0.001), respectively. However, the Bland- Altman plots showed wide limits of agreement between HD1 and HD2 and the commercial device. CONCLUSION: The handcrafted manometers do not provide accurate cuff pressure measurements when compared to a cuff-specific device and should not be used to replace the commercial cuff manometers in mechanically ventilated patients.

Ultrasonography in the intensive care setting can be used to detect changes in the quality and quantity of muscle and is related to muscle strength and function.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to (1) document patterns of quadriceps muscle wasting in the first 10 days of admission and (2) determine the relationship between muscle ultrasonography and volitional measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two adults ventilated for more than 48 hours were included. Sequential quadriceps ultrasound images were obtained over the first 10 days and at awakening and intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. Muscle strength and function were assessed at awakening and ICU discharge. RESULTS: A total of 416 images were analyzed. There was a 30% reduction in vastus intermedius (VI) thickness, rectus femoris (RF) thickness, and cross-sectional area within 10 days of admission. Muscle echogenicity scores increased for both RF and VI muscles by +12.7% and +25.5%, respectively (suggesting deterioration in muscle quality). There was a strong association between function and VI thickness (r = 0.82) and echogenicity (r = -0.77). There was a moderate association between function and RF cross-sectional area (r = 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: Muscle wasting occurs rapidly in the ICU setting. Ultrasonography is a useful surrogate measure for identifying future impairment. Vastus intermedius may be an important muscle to monitor in the future because it demonstrated the greatest change in muscle quality and had the strongest relationship to volitional measures.