Cardiorespiratory fitness and mortality risk in patients receiving hemodialysis: a prospective cohort / Aptidão cardiorrespiratória e risco de mortalidade em pacientes em hemodiálise: uma coorte prospectiva

ABSTRACT Background: Kidney failure reduces life expectancy by one-third compared with the general population, and cardiovascular complications and poor cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are the main causes. We aimed to evaluate the association between severely low CRF and all-cause mortality risk in HD patients. Methods: This observational prospective cohort study followed-up patients receiving HD from August 2015 until March 2022. Cardiorespiratory fitness was evaluated through the cardiopulmonary exercise test, and the peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) value was used to determine severely low CRF (< 15 mL∙kg−1∙min−1). Cox regression and univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to evaluate the association of severely low CRF with mortality risk and survival rate. Results: Forty-eight patients were followed-up for a median of 33.0 [14.3 - 49.3] months. A total of 26 patients had severely low CRF. During the follow-up period, 11 patients (22.92%) died from all causes. From these, eight (30.8%) had severely low CRF. Even so, severely low CRF was not associated with crude death rates for patients stratified by CRF levels (p = 0.189), neither in unadjusted (HR 2.18; CI 95% 0.58−8.23) nor in adjusted (HR 1.32; CI 95% 0.31−5.59) Cox proportional hazard models. As a continuous variable, VO2peak was not associated with mortality risk (HR 1.01; CI 95% 0.84−1.21). Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with severely low CRF did not have significantly worse survival rates than those with mild-moderate CRF (p = 0.186). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that severely low CRF was not associated with all-cause mortality in patients on HD. Despite severely low CRF being prevalent, larger cohort studies are needed to establish strong conclusions on its association with all-cause mortality.

RESUMO Introdução A insuficiência renal reduz a expectativa de vida em um terço comparada à população em geral. Complicações cardiovasculares e baixa aptidão cardiorrespiratória (ACR) são as principais causas. Avaliamos a associação entre ACR muito baixa e risco de mortalidade por todas as causas em pacientes em HD. Métodos Este estudo de coorte prospectivo observacional acompanhou pacientes em HD de agosto/2015 a março/2022. Avaliou-se a aptidão cardiorrespiratória pelo teste de exercício cardiopulmonar, e o valor do pico do consumo de oxigênio (VO2pico) foi usado para determinar ACR muito baixa (< 15 mL∙kg−1∙min−1). Utilizamos regressão de Cox e análise univariada de Kaplan-Meier para avaliar associação da ACR muito baixa com o risco de mortalidade e taxa de sobrevida. Resultados Acompanhamos 48 pacientes por uma média de 33,0 [14,3 - 49,3] meses. Um total de 26 pacientes apresentaram ACR muito baixa. No período de acompanhamento, 11 pacientes (22,92%) foram a óbito por todas as causas. Destes, oito (30,8%) apresentavam ACR muito baixa. Mesmo assim, ACR muito baixa não foi associada a taxas brutas de mortalidade para pacientes estratificados por níveis de ACR (p = 0,189), nem em modelos de risco proporcional de Cox não ajustados (HR 2,18; IC 95% 0,58-8,23) ou ajustados (HR 1,32; IC 95% 0,31-5,59). Como variável contínua, VO2pico não foi associado ao risco de mortalidade (HR 1,01; IC 95% 0,84-1,21). A análise univariada de Kaplan-Meier mostrou que pacientes com ACR muito baixa não apresentaram taxas de sobrevida significativamente piores do que aqueles com ACR leve-moderada (p = 0,186). Conclusão Nossos achados indicaram que a ACR muito baixa não foi associada à mortalidade por todas as causas em pacientes em HD. Apesar de ACR muito baixa ser prevalente, são necessários estudos de coorte maiores para estabelecer conclusões sólidas sobre sua associação com mortalidade por todas as causas.

Estimation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure in hemodialysis patients and its association with cardiorespiratory fitness and pulmonary function.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the estimated pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) through transthoracic echocardiography in hemodialysis (HD) patients and associate it with cardiorespiratory fitness and pulmonary function. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of HD patients that performed evaluations of cardiac function, cardiorespiratory fitness, and pulmonary function, through transthoracic echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise test, spirometry, and manovacuometry, respectively. All patients underwent the evaluations on a non-dialysis day. RESULTS: Thirty-five HD patients were evaluated and separated according to the presence of probable pulmonary hypertension (PH) (estimated PASP ≥ 35 mmHg) or not (estimated PASP < 35 mmHg). Those HD patients with probable PH had the worst cardiorespiratory fitness, evaluated by the peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) (17.11 ± 4.40 versus 12.90 ± 2.73 mL/kg/min; p = 0.011), and pulmonary function, evaluated by absolute and predicted of forced vital capacity (FVC) (85.52 ± 12.29 versus 71.38 ± 11.63%; p = 0.005) and absolute and predicted of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (83.37 ± 14.98 versus 69.21 ± 13.48%; p = 0.017). The secondary analysis showed that estimated PASP was correlated with VO2peak (r = - 0.508; p = 0.002), FVC (r = - 0.450; p = 0.007), and FEV1 (r = - 0.361; p = 0.033). Moreover, the adjusted odds ratio by HD vintage, dry weight and gender showed that increments in VO2peak (OR 1.62; CI 95% 1.04-2.54; p = 0.034), FVC (OR 39.67; CI 95% 1.74-902.80; p = 0.021), and FEV1 (OR 39.54; CI 95% 1.89-826.99; p = 0.018) were associated with 1-fold and 39-fold higher chance, respectively, for not having PH. However, all these associations were lost when age was included in the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The HD patients with probable PH had the worst cardiorespiratory fitness and pulmonary function. Exploratory analyses showed that greater cardiopulmonary fitness was associated with better cardiac function. Moreover, increments in cardiorespiratory fitness and pulmonary function may increase the chance of not having PH.

Profile of professionals working in intradialytic exercise programs in Brazil: a national survey / Perfil dos profissionais que atuam em programas de exercício físico durante as sessões de hemodiálise: um estudo nacional

Abstract Objective: This survey was designed to assess the profile of professionals working in intradialytic exercise programs (IEPs) in Brazil and reveal the motivators and barriers they face. Methods: The survey was sent to physiotherapists and exercise physiologists working in IEPs in Brazil. Phone interviews and electronic forms were used to collect the answers to the survey questionnaire. Results: Forty-one of the 261 included dialysis centers had IEPs; 44 professionals answered the questionnaire over the phone and 26 used the electronic form to do it. A total of 70 professionals (mean age 33.4±7.4 years; 84.3% physiotherapists) answered the questionnaire. Resistance training was the preferred mode of therapy. Most of the IEPs were connected to research and were paid for by private health insurance. The desire to work in a different field (30.0%) and lack of resources (31.4%) were the most prevalent motivator and barrier cited by IEP professionals working in dialysis centers, respectively. Conclusion: The majority of the few professionals that work in IEPs in Brazil are physiotherapists. Lack of resources was the most commonly reported barrier faced by survey respondents.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil dos profissionais que atuam em programas de exercício físico intradialítico (EFI) no Brasil e as motivações e barreiras para a atuação desses profissionais. Métodos: Foram incluídos fisioterapeutas e profissionais de educação física que atuam em programas de EFI no Brasil. Para coletar os dados, foi aplicado um questionário por ligação telefônica ou formulário eletrônico. Resultados: Dos 261 centros de diálise analisados, 41 apresentaram programas de EFI, sendo que 44 profissionais responderam ao questionário por telefone e outros 26, por meio eletrônico. Foram avaliados 70 profissionais (33,4±7,4 anos, 84,3% fisioterapeutas). A modalidade terapêutica mais aplicada foi o treinamento resistido. A maioria dos programas de EFI está associada a atividades de pesquisa e é financiada pela saúde suplementar. A possibilidade de atuação em um novo campo de trabalho (30,0%) e a falta de recursos (31,4%) foram a motivação e a barreira mais prevalentes para atuação dos profissionais nos centros de diálise, respectivamente. Conclusão: Poucos profissionais atuam em programas de EFI no Brasil, sendo a maioria fisioterapeutas. A falta de recursos foi a barreira mais prevalente para a atuação desses profissionais.

Intradialytic periodized exercise improves cardiopulmonary fitness and respiratory function: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a factor that predisposes to gradual physical deconditioning from its early stages leading to cardiorespiratory fitness and musculoskeletal system impairment. We evaluated the effects of combined and periodized intradialytic exercise training on cardiopulmonary fitness and respiratory function in HD subjects. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with HD subjects was allocated into two groups: exercise group (EXG) and usual care group (UCG). EXG performed a 12-week combined and periodized intradialytic training. UCG maintained the HD routine. RESULTS: Thirty-nine HD subjects were analyzed (EXG = 20; UCG = 19). The EXG in comparison with the UCG showed improvements in peak oxygen consumption (Δ3.1[0.4-5.5] vs. -0.2[-2.0-1.5] ml/kg/min; p = 0.003), forced expiratory volume in the first second (Δ0.1[-0.0-0.1] vs. -0.0[-0.1-0.0] L; p = 0.022), forced vital capacity (Δ0.1[0.0-0.2] vs. -0.1[-0.2-0.0] L; p = 0.005), peak expiratory flow (Δ0.4[-0.7-1.2] vs. -0.1[-0.5-0.2] L; p = 0.046), and maximal inspiratory pressure (Δ7.35[-8.5-17.5] vs. -4.0[-18.0-12.0] cmH2 O; p = 0.028). The EXG, different from the UCG, did not worsen the maximal expiratory pressure (Δ0.1[-8.8-7.5] vs. -2.5[-15.0-9.0] cmH2 O; p = 0.036). Besides, EXG showed a significant improvement in quadriceps strength (32.05 ± 10.61 vs. 33.35 ± 11.62 kg; p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: The combined and periodized intradialytic exercise training improved cardiopulmonary fitness, respiratory function, inspiratory muscle strength, and quadriceps strength, beyond maintaining the expiratory muscle strength in HD subjects.

Repeatability of the 6-min walk test in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) is a chronic lung disease characterized by progressive and irreversible changes of the bronchial tree. The evaluation of exercise capacity is essential to manage this disease. This study aims to determine the within-subject repeatability of two Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) in adults with NCFB. NCFB. This cross-sectional observational study included 66 NCFB subjects above 18 years-old (mean of 55 ± 17 years old, 68% women). 73% of the participants presented moderate to severe clinical condition classified by Bronchiectasis Severity Index. It showed that these participants walked 16.6 m less (95%CI 3.8 to 29.4; p < 0.01) in the second 6MWT when compared to the first test, with a within-subject coefficient variation of 9.4% (95%CI 7.2-11.2%) and an intra-test reliability with a high intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.88 (95%CI 0.80-0.93). Bland-Altman plot showed an agreement regarding test repeatability, besides presented a large limit of agreement (- 85 to 116 m). Respiratory rate and systolic blood pressure were significantly higher before starting the second test. In conclusion, 6MWT seems to be reproducible in NCFB subjects and vital sign verification should be attentively checked to assess if the patient is fully recovered to perform a second test, as well as the disease severity score. Other studies on this matter should be conducted with a larger number of participants to confirm the findings of the present study.

Acute effects of intradialytic aerobic exercise on solute removal, blood gases and oxidative stress in patients with chronic kidney disease / Efeitos agudos do exercício aeróbio intradialítico sobre a remoção de solutos, gasometria e estresse oxidativo em pacientes com doença renal crônica

Abstract Introduction: Hemodialysis contributes to increased oxidative stress and induces transitory hypoxemia. Compartmentalization decreases the supply of solutes to the dialyzer during treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of intradialytic aerobic exercise on solute removal, blood gases and oxidative stress in patients with chronic kidney disease during a single hemodialysis session. Methods: Thirty patients were randomized to perform aerobic exercise with cycle ergometer for lower limbs during 30 minutes with intensity between 60-70% of maximal heart rate, or control group (CG). Blood samples were collected prior to and immediately after exercise or the equivalent time in CG. Analysis of blood and dialysate biochemistry as well as blood gases were performed. Mass removal and solute clearance were calculated. Oxidative stress was determined by lipid peroxidation and by the total antioxidant capacity. Results: Serum concentrations of solutes increased with exercise, but only phosphorus showed a significant elevation (p = 0.035). There were no significant changes in solute removal and in the acid-base balance. Both oxygen partial pressure and saturation increased with exercise (p = 0.035 and p = 0.024, respectivelly), which did not occur in the CG. The total antioxidant capacity decreased significantly (p = 0.027). Conclusion: The acute intradialytic aerobic exercise increased phosphorus serum concentration and decreased total antioxidant capacity, reversing hypoxemia resulting from hemodialysis. The intradialytic exercise did not change the blood acid-base balance and the removal of solutes.

Resumo Introdução: A hemodiálise contribui para aumentar o estresse oxidativo e induz a hipoxemia transitória. A compartimentalização dos solutos diminui sua oferta para o dialisador durante o tratamento. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos agudos do exercício aeróbio intradialítico sobre a remoção de solutos, gasometria e estresse oxidativo em pacientes com doença renal crônica durante uma sessão de hemodiálise. Métodos: Trinta pacientes foram randomizados para realizar exercício aeróbio com cicloergômetro para membros inferiores durante 30 minutos com intensidade entre 60-70% da frequência cardíaca máxima, ou grupo controle (GC). Amostras sanguíneas foram coletadas antes e imediatamente após o término do exercício ou no período equivalente no GC. Análises da bioquímica do sangue e dialisato e gasometria foram realizadas. A massa removida e a depuração dos solutos foram calculadas. O estresse oxidativo foi determinado pela peroxidação lipídica e capacidade antioxidante total. Resultados: As concentrações séricas dos solutos aumentaram com o exercício, mas somente o fósforo mostrou elevação significativa (p = 0.035). Não houve modificações significantes na remoção de solutos e no equilíbrio ácido-básico. A pressão parcial e a saturação de oxigênio aumentaram com o exercício (p = 0.035 e p = 0.024, respectivamente), o que não ocorreu no GC. A capacidade antioxidante total diminuiu significativamente (p = 0.027). Conclusão: O exercício aeróbico intradialítico agudo aumentou a concentração sérica de fósforo e diminuiu a capacidade antioxidante total, revertendo a hipoxemia resultante da hemodiálise. O exercício intradialítico não alterou o equilíbrio ácido-básico e a remoção de solutos.

Análise das alterações posturais da coluna vertebral, dores musculoesqueléticas e função laboral em carteiros pedestres / Analysis of postural changes of the spine, musculoskeletal pain, and work activity in walking letter carriers

Objetivos: Avaliar as alterações posturais da coluna vertebral de carteiros pedestres com dores musculoesqueléticas e verificar sua associação com posturas adotadas durante a atividade laboral. Métodos: O delineamento adotado foi um estudo transversal e descritivo realizado com carteiros pedestres de ambos os sexos, com dor musculoesquelética na coluna vertebral. Todos os indivíduos responderam a um questionário para apontar o local e intensidade da dor, realizaram uma avaliação postural fotogramétrica e foram submetidos a uma análise da função laboral. Para as análises em estratificação foi realizado o teste do qui-quadrado e para comparação dos ângulos da coluna vertebral nos indivíduos com e sem dor na mesma região foi realizado o teste t de Student. O nível de significância adotado foi p≤0,05. Resultados: Foram avaliados 20 carteiros pedestres. A média angular da curvatura lordótica dos sete indivíduos com dor na coluna cervical foi de 41,3±15,0º e dos 13 indivíduos sem dor nessa região foi de 22,8±10,8º(p=0,005). Queixas de dor torácica ou lombar não tiveram associação significativa com o ângulo da curvatura cifótica e lordótica, respectivamente. Ao avaliar a postura do tronco dos carteiros no plano frontal observou-se que 16 indivíduos (80%) apresentavam alguma forma de escoliose. Ao analisar a atividade laboral externa dos carteiros pedestres observou-se que oito indivíduos (40%) carregavam a alça da bolsa de forma transpassada à esquerda, cinco (25%) usavam a alça transpassada à direita, quatro (20%) sobre o ombro direito e três (15%) sobre o ombro esquerdo. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as alterações posturais no plano frontal conforme a forma com que os carteiros carregavam a bolsa. Conclusões: Na amostra de carteiros pedestres avaliada, houve associação da presença de dor na coluna cervical com o aumento da curvatura nessa região. Não foi encontrada associação significativa da alteração postural no plano frontal com a forma de carregar a bolsa durante a atividade laboral.

Aims: To assess postural changes of the spine in walking letter carriers with musculoskeletal pain and check their association with positions taken during work activity. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of both male and female letter carriers with musculoskeletal pain in the spine. All subjects completed a questionnaire to indicate the location and severity of pain and were subjected to a photogrammetric analysis of their posture and of their work activity. The chi-square test was applied for stratified analysis and Student's t test was used to compare spinal angles in individuals with and without pain in the same region. A p value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 20 walking letter carriers were assessed. The mean lumbar lordotic angle of the seven patients with pain in the cervical spine was 41.3±15.0° while in the 13 individuals without pain in this region it was 22.8±10.8º (p=0.005). The presence of thoracic or lumbar pain had no significant association with the angle of the kyphotic and lordotic curvature, respectively. The assessment of the frontal plane posture of letter carriers revealed that 16 (80%) had some kind of scoliosis. The analysis of work-relatedness indicated that eight (40%) strapped the mail bag crosswise to the left, five (25%) wore it crosswise to the right, four (20%) slung the mail bag over their right shoulder, and three (15%) carried it on their left shoulder. No statistically significant difference was observed in postural changes on the frontal plane associated with how the mail bags were carried. Conclusions: There was a significant association between the presence of pain in the cervical spine and a more pronounced curvature in this region.

Qualidade de vida em pacientes com doença renal crônica submetidos à hemodiálise / Quality of life of chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis

Introdução: A doença renal crônica (DRC) causa prejuízos na capacidade funcional dos pacientes, comprometendo a qualidade de vida (QV). Objetivo: Avaliar a QV de pacientes com DRC em hemodiálise e compará-la entre gênero, estado civil e situação ocupacional. Métodos: Estudo observacional e transversal com portadores de DRC. Utilizou-se o Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF). Resultados: Foram avaliados 60 pacientes, 31 homens, idade média de 56,3±12,3 anos. As mulheres apresentaram pior função física (p=0,02), capacidade física (p=0,04), emocional (p=0,02) e escore total do KDQOL-SF (p=0,03). Indivíduos viúvos apresentaram pior vitalidade/fadiga (p=0,01) e função cognitiva (p=0,01). Indivíduos empregados apresentaram menor efeito da DRC na vida diária (p=0,01) e no escore total do KDQOL-SF (p=0,01). A idade correlacionou-se fraca e negativamente com a função física (r= -0,258; p=0,046) e função sexual (r= -0,323; p=0,012). Conclusão: Mulheres, indivíduos viúvos e mais velhos com DRC apresentam piores escores no questionário de QV.

Introduction: Chronic renal failure (CRF) causes loss of functional capacity of patients compromising their quality of life (QOL). Objective: To evaluate the QOL of CRF patients undergoing hemodialysis, comparing it with patients' gender, marital status, and employment status. Method: This is an observational, cross-sectional study with CRF patients. The Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF) was the tool used for data collection. Results: A total of 60 patients were evaluated; 31 male, with mean age of 56,3 ± 12,3 years. Females presented worse physical function (p=0,02) than males; physical capacity (p=0,04), and emotional capacity (p=0,02), and at the total score of KDQOL-SF (p=0,03). Widowed individuals presented worse vitality/fatigue (p=0,01) and cognitive function (p=0,01). Employed individuals showed to have less effects of the CRF in their daily life (p=0,01) and at the total score of KDQOL-SF (p= 0,01). Age presented a negative and weak correlation with physical function (r= -0,25; p= 0,04) and sexual function (r= -0,32; p=0,01). Conclusion: Females, widows and aging individuals with CRF presented worse scores on the QOL questionnaire.

Percepção dos idosos jovens e longevos gaúchos quanto aos espaços públicos em que vivem / The perception of the young and long-lived elderly ‘Gauchos’ (from the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) about the public spaces they live in Resumo

Em 2050, o número de brasileiros residindo em áreas urbanas passará dos 200 milhões e 29% da população será composta por idosos. Os idosos longevos possuem 80 anos ou mais, os idosos jovens são aqueles que apresentam idade entre 60 e 79 anos. O objetivo foi verificar a diferença da percepção de idosos jovens e longevos do Rio Grande do Sul quanto ao ambiente urbano em que vivem. Estudo de base populacional, observacional, descritivo, retrospectivo, com paradigma de análise quantitativa, analisou dados da pesquisa Perfil dos Idosos do RS, realizado pelo Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia da PUCRS em parceria com a Escola de Saúde Pública do RS. A amostra foi composta por 6913 questionários respondidos por idosos de 59 cidades. A análise dos dados foi realizada com cada um dos grupos etários e as variáveis independentes foram testadas pelo Qui-Quadrado, sendo o nível de significância menor que 0,05. Como resultado, a percepção de dificuldades, como poucos bancos, falta de faixas de segurança, tempo de sinal muito curto para pedestres, degraus muito altos e mau cheiro dos banheiros públicos, foi maior entre os idosos jovens. Os idosos longevos perceberam menos esses fatores, porém, referiram que frequentam menos os ambientes comunitários.

By 2050, the number of Brazilians living in urban areas will be over 200 million and 29% of the population will be elderly. The long-lived elderly are 80 or more years old and the young elderly are between 60 and 79 years of age. The scope of this article was to verify the difference in perception between the young elderly and the long-lived elderly from Rio Grande do Sul (RS) about the urban environment they live in. This is a population-based, observational, descriptive, retrospective study with a quantitative analysis paradigm. Data was analyzed from Elderly Profile research in RS conducted by the Geriatric and Gerontological Institute of PUCRS in partnership with the RS School of Public Health. The sample consisted of 6913 questionnaires answered by the elderly from 59 cities. Data analysis was performed for each age group and independent variables were processed using the Chi-square test, with p under 0.05. Results showed that the perception of difficulties such as a lack of park benches and safety strips, short traffic light times for pedestrians, high steps and bad-smelling public toilets was greater among the young elderly. The long-lived elderly noticed these facts less, though they admitted that they frequent community environments less often.