Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a tool for analysis of the effect of physical therapy on spasticity in HAM/TSP patients.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate spasticity in human T-lymphotropic virus type 1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) patients before and after physical therapy using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). METHODS: Nine subjects underwent physical therapy. Spasticity was evaluated using the Modified Ashworth Scale. The obtained scores were converted into ICF body functions scores. RESULTS: The majority of subjects had a high degree of spasticity in the quadriceps muscles. According to the ICF codes, the spasticity decreased after 20 sessions of physical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The ICF was effective in evaluating spasticity in HAM/TSP patients.

Perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes infectados pelo HTLV-1 em Belém/Pará / Clinical-epidemiological profile of HTLV-1 infected patients in Belém, Pará state, Brazil

ResumoObjetivoInvestigar o perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes portadores do HTLV-1 em Belém, no Estado do Pará, Brasil, descrevendo as características de indivíduos infectados e atendidos no Laboratório de Clínica e Epidemiologia de Doenças Endêmicas (LCEDE) do Núcleo de Medicina Tropical (NMT) da Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA).MetodologiaFoi um estudo descritivo de corte transversal, com coleta em prontuários de pacientes infectados pelo HTLV-1, matriculados no LCEDE do NMT da UFPA entre os anos 2000 a 2012. Foi aplicada a análise descritiva pelo programa Epi Info 3.2.5.ResultadosDos 182 prontuários, 35,2% eram do sexo masculino, e 64,8%, do sexo feminino. Houve predomínio de indivíduos casados (47,8%). A maioria (73,6%) tinha procedência do município de Belém-PA. Dentre os pacientes sintomáticos, 51% apresentavam sintomas neurológicos, 21%, queixas dermatológicas, 18%, queixas reumatológicas, e 10%, queixas autonômicas. Com relação aos pacientes com sintomas neurológicos, 16 (39,0%) foram diagnosticados com PET/MAH.ConclusõesHouve o predomínio do sexo feminino, na faixa etária entre 40 e 49 anos, casado, trabalho informal, procedentes de Belém, com queixas neurológicas e com retorno regular as consultas médicas.

AbstractObjectiveThe clinical-epidemiological profile of patients with HTLV-1 in Belém, Pará state, Brazil was investigated describing the characteristics of these patients at an outpatient service of the Clinical and Epidemiologic Laboratory of Endemic Diseases - LCEDE from the Tropical Medicine Center - NMT of the Federal University of Pará - UFPA.MethodologyIt was a descriptive, cross-sectional study with data collected from the records of HTLV-1 patients from 2000 to 2012. Descriptive analysis used Epi Info 3.2.5 software.ResultsOf the 182 patients, 35.2% were male and 64.8% female, with a predominance of married individuals (47.8%), approximately 73.6% were from Belém. Among the symptomatic patients, 51% presented neurological symptoms, 21% dermatological complaints, 18% rheumatologic complaints, and 10% autonomic complaints. Among the patients with neurological symptoms, 16 (39%) were diagnosed with HAM/TSP.ConclusionThere is predominance of females, aged 40-49 years, married, with informal jobs, from Belém, with neurological sings and regular return to medical visits.