Could an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnoea be one of the determinants associated with disability in individuals with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases?

PURPOSE: To investigate a possible association between the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and disability in individuals with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was conducted with 373 individuals (313 with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases and 60 healthy). Disability was assessed by the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS), and the risk of OSA was assessed by STOP-BANG. Anxiety and depression symptoms, daytime sleepiness, and cognition were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). RESULTS: Greater disability was found in individuals with intermediate or high risk of OSA, considering healthy individuals (p=0.03), or individuals diagnosed with arrhythmia (p<0.01) or coronary artery disease (p=0.04). A high risk of OSA and higher WHODAS scores was significant among women as well as between OSA risk categories (p<0.01). Cognitive deficit and level of education also showed differences between OSA risk categories. Age, depression, and sleepiness were also associated with the subjects' disability (p<0.01). Gamma regression model showed higher WHODAS scores in female, in those with intermediate and high risk of OSA, and in those with depressive symptoms and cognitive deficit. Age also showed a correlation with higher WHODAS scores. The presence of all investigated cardio and cerebrovascular diseases showed an increase in the WHODAS score, implying a greater disability compared to healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: Moderate and high risk of OSA is associated with disability, as well as gender, age, depressive symptoms, cognitive deficit, and cardiovascular diseases.

Translation, transcultural adaptation, and validation of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitudes (OSAKA) questionnaire.

PURPOSE: To analyse the psychometric properties of the translated and cross-culturally adapted version of the OSAKA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitudes) questionnaire in the Brazilian Portuguese language. METHODS: The OSAKA instrument was translated by two independent translators, and the back-translated conciliated version was presented and approved by Washington University, which holds the intellectual property for the OSAKA questionnaire. Physicians from different specialties electronically completed the OSAKA instrument and the ASKME (Assessment of Sleep Knowledge in Medical Education) questionnaire, which was used as an auxiliary instrument to analyse the construct validity. RESULTS: The questionnaire was tested with 176 physicians. The items from the knowledge and attitudes domains presented acceptable internal consistency values, with McDonald's omega coefficients (Ω) of 0.70 and 0.73, respectively. The OSAKA questionnaire showed a moderate correlation with the ASKME instrument (r = 0.60, p < 0.001) and excellent retest reliability, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.81. There were differences in knowledge between the medical specialties (p < 0.001). Regarding attitudes, most respondents considered obstructive sleep apnoea and its diagnosis to be important and felt confident in identifying it, but the same majority did not feel confident in treating the disease. CONCLUSION: The OSAKA instrument, as a translated and cross-culturally adapted Brazilian Portuguese version, presented psychometric properties with adequate reliability and validity.

Are the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains considered in the obstructive sleep apnea instruments? An integrative review.

PURPOSE: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is related to cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurocognitive diseases. Furthermore, OSA symptoms, such as excessive sleepiness, fatigue, and mood disorders, may interfere in functioning. The assessment of this aspect in patients with OSA is not frequent and no specific instrument is available in the literature. Our aim is to identify if the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains are considered in the validated instruments used to assess patients with OSA. METHODS: In this integrative literature review, three databases were searched: Pubmed, Embase, and LILACS. Bibliographic survey was carried out in 2020, between March and July. Articles published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish with validated tools to assess OSA in adults were included. RESULTS: Thirty instruments have undergone a process of concept extraction and coding according to the ICF, generating a total of 769 significant concepts. It was observed that the function domain was the most prevalent, making 42% (n = 323) of the concepts, followed by domains of activity (16%), participation (10%), environmental factors (5%), personal factor (5%), and structure (1%). Only one instrument, the "Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI)," encompasses all domains of the ICF in its constructs. CONCLUSION: In the analyzed instruments, the function domain prevails, with most concepts related to sleep functions. Only one validated instrument included in this research covered all the ICF domains. This instrument closely matched the recommended way of assessing functioning, though it approached the domains in an unbalanced way.

An overview of maternal and fetal short and long-term impact of physical activity during pregnancy.

PURPOSE: To explore information available in the literature about the possible benefits resulting from physical activity (PA) in non-risky pregnant women, repercussion on maternal organism, fetal development, and on long-term offspring health. METHODS: Critical narrative review using online databases. RESULTS: Through critical discussion of studies focused on PA practiced during pregnancy, it was observed that some of the outcomes investigated on both mother and offspring showed conflicting findings. Considering the impact of maternal PA in certain offspring characteristics, due to the fact that their findings come from studies with small samples, they do not allow the stablishment of scientific evidence. However, a feature that shows broad consensus among studies is the view of PA during pregnancy as a safe intervention for mother and fetus. In situations where studies employing PA of moderate-intensity have not enough power to ensure a positive influence on certain clinical outcomes, what is observed is the lack of their influence, not negative impacts. Regarding epigenetic modulations measured late in the offspring, it has been attributed to PA a positive modulatory role on metabolic, hemodynamic and even on behavioral characteristics. However, possible mechanisms involved in these epigenetic changes have not been sufficiently explored. CONCLUSION: Maternal PA appears to be safe for both mother and fetus, and additional studies are needed to confirm the real influence of this practice in the offspring, as well as the perpetuation and transfer of these features between generations.

Laminin-5 gamma 2 chain expression is associated with intensity of tumor budding and density of stromal myofibroblasts in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Laminin-5 gamma 2 chain (laminin-5 γ2) is a protein associated to a migratory phenotype in epithelial neoplastic cells. Stromal myofibroblasts also play a significant role in tumor invasion, due to its ability to modify the extracellular matrix. Tumor budding is a morphologic marker of tumor invasion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of laminin-5 γ2 in OSCC and its association with intensity of tumor budding and density of stromal myofibroblasts. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded archival samples of 57 OSCC patients were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect laminin-5 γ2, alpha smooth muscle actin (marker of stromal myofibroblasts), and multicytokeratin (to identify OSCC cells in tumor budding evaluation). Laminin-5 γ2 expression and its association with intensity of tumor budding and density of stromal myofibroblasts were analyzed. Association among intensity of tumor budding and density of stromal myofibroblasts was also evaluated. RESULTS: Higher laminin-5 γ2 expression was associated with high-intensity tumor budding (P < 0.05) and with higher density of stromal myofibroblasts (P < 0.05). Moreover, high-intensity tumor budding was associated with higher density of stromal myofibroblasts (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In OSCC, higher laminin-5 γ2 expression is associated with high-intensity tumor budding and with higher density of stromal myofibroblasts, suggesting that this expression is related to the establishment of an invasive phenotype of neoplastic cells and a permissive environment for tumor invasion in this neoplasia.

Effects of cholinergic stimulation with pyridostigmine bromide on chronic chagasic cardiomyopathic mice.

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of an anticholinesterase agent, pyridostigmine bromide (Pyrido), on experimental chronic Chagas heart disease in mice. To this end, male C57BL/6J mice noninfected (control:Con) or chronically infected (5 months) with Trypanosoma cruzi (chagasic:Chg) were treated or not (NT) with Pyrido for one month. At the end of this period, electrocardiogram (ECG); cardiac autonomic function; heart histopathology; serum cytokines; and the presence of blood and tissue parasites by means of immunohistochemistry and PCR were assessed. In NT-Chg mice, significant changes in the electrocardiographic, autonomic, and cardiac histopathological profiles were observed confirming a chronic inflammatory response. Treatment with Pyrido in Chagasic mice caused a significant reduction of myocardial inflammatory infiltration, fibrosis, and hypertrophy, which was accompanied by a decrease in serum levels of IFNγ with no change in IL-10 levels, suggesting a shift of immune response toward an anti-inflammatory profile. Lower nondifferent numbers of parasite DNA copies were observed in both treated and nontreated chagasic mice. In conclusion, our findings confirm the marked neuroimmunomodulatory role played by the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system in the evolution of the inflammatory-immune response to T. cruzi during experimental chronic Chagas heart disease in mice.

Which Components of The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) are Covered by Cardiac Rehabilitation Assessment Tools among Individuals with Heart Failure?

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic assessment of functioning in cardiac rehabilitation from the perspective of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) can provide a biopsychosocial approach to health care. However, it is unclear which components are reflected in the instruments used for cardiac rehabilitation in individuals with heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVES: To investigate which ICF components (body function, structures, activities, participation, environmental factors, and personal factors) are represented in the assessment instruments used in individuals with HF and to identify the most appropriate instrument to use based on the inclusion of these factors. METHODS: Forty-four clinical trials included in an updated Cochrane systematic review that investigated the effects of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in patients with HF were reviewed. The instruments were analyzed to extract significant concepts linked to the ICF codes. RESULTS: A total of 12 outcomes and 40 instruments were identified. The concepts were linked to 2466 codes in the following ICF components: body functions (41.8%), activities (29.7%), participation (8.4%), environmental factors (3.8%), personal factors (1.3%), and body structures (1.0%); other concepts (13.9%) were classified as not covered by ICF. None of the instruments presented concepts linked to all ICF components. The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), however, demonstrated comprehensive coverage of the ICF components, with the exception of body structure. CONCLUSIONS: Body function was the most frequently detected ICF component. Individual instruments did not provide a comprehensive perspective on the functioning level of individuals with HF. The MLHFQ provided the greatest coverage of ICF components.

Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Associated with Higher Covid-19 Severity?

Objective To investigate the associations between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. Methods Twelve individuals hospitalized in a Brazilian tertiary hospital diagnosed with COVID-19 by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) underwent respiratory polygraphy. Results Polygraphic records identified seven participants without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (OSA-) and five with OSA (OSA + ). The OSA+ group presented worse peripheral oxygen saturation (77.6% ± 7.89%) than the OSA- group (84.4% ± 2.57%) ( p = 0.041). Additionally, the OSA+ group showed greater COVID-19 severity (100%) than the OSA- group (28.57%) ( p = 0.013) and required longer oxygen therapy ( p = 0.038), but without difference in the length of hospitalization. The OSA+ group also presented higher rates of platelets ( p = 0.008) and D-dimer (1,443 ± 897) than the OSA- group (648 ± 263 ng/mL) ( p = 0.019). Conclusion Obstructive sleep apnea in individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19 was associated with higher COVID-19 severity, worse peripheral oxygen saturation, longer oxygen therapy time, and higher platelet and D-dimer rates.

Validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the Brazilian version of the instrument World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) for individuals with obstructive sleep apnoea.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a disabling health condition, and there is no disease-specific patient-reported outcome instrument to assess individuals with OSA. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) in individuals with OSA. METHODS: One hundred individuals with OSA responded to the WHODAS 2.0 version of 36 items, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the 12-item health survey (SF-12). Internal consistency, convergent and discriminative validity, and responsiveness to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) were the psychometric properties tested. RESULTS: Cronbach's α values indicate good internal consistency (0.91 - 0.73), except for the self-care domain (α = 0.52). Convergent validity indicated an excellent correlation (r = -0.80) between the domains of functioning and quality of life. Discriminative validity showed no association between OSA severity and functioning (p = 0.90). The responsiveness to CPAP treatment showed a large effect size (r = 0.82; p < 0.05) CONCLUSIONS: The WHODAS 2.0 instrument is valid, reliable, and responsive for assessing individuals with OSA.

Validation of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) for individuals with asthma.

PURPOSE: There are no disease-specific tools for assessing the functioning of patients with asthma. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) in individuals with asthma. METHODS: 101 individuals with asthma responded to the 36-item version of the WHODAS 2.0, Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), and Asthma Control Test (ACT). The following psychometric properties were tested: internal consistency, factor structure, and convergent and discriminative validity. RESULTS: Homogeneity was found between WHODAS 2.0 items and domains, except "Getting along" (Cronbach's α = 0.57). When item "D4.5 Sexual activities" was deleted, the Cronbach's increased to 0.70. Exploratory factor analysis identified four factors (explained variance 56%). There was a strong correlation between the WHODAS 2.0 and AQLQ (r=-0.72) and between the WHODAS 2.0 and ACT (r= -0.59). There was no evidence of the influence of obstruction level (FEV1) on functioning. CONCLUSION: WHODAS 2.0 is a valid and reliable tool for assessing functioning in individuals with asthma. Exclusion of item D.4.5 Sexual activity increased the homogeneity between the items of the "Getting along" domain. When applied to asthmatics, the WHODAS total functioning score is preferable to the domain-specific scores.

WHODAS 2.0 is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the functioning of patients with asthma.Exploratory factor analysis identified four factors that differ from the original six-domain structure of the WHODAS 2.0 36-item version.WHODAS 2.0 is recommended for professionals who rehabilitate patients with asthma.

Standardization use of the international classification of functioning, disability and health in the determination of health status in patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

PURPOSE: To propose a standardized method for the use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to describe the health status in Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS) and investigate interrater agreement in the linking process in instruments and clinical exams using the ICF categories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional and interrater agreement study that followed the Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies. Two raters performed the linking coding process in instruments of quality of life, anxiety and depression, fatigue and pulmonary function, inspiratory muscle strength and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The codes were qualified by standards defined to each instrument and exams. RESULTS: The instrument with the lowest Cohen's Kappa coefficient was anxiety and depression (k = 0.57). Forty ICF codes were linked to clinical instruments and exams. The fatigue instrument presented a higher degree of disability by the qualification process, from severe to complete, in the linked codes. CONCLUSION: The study presents a standardized method for the assessment of the health status of patients with PACS through ICF. Restriction in work performance, socialization and family relationships as well as disabilities in physical endurance, fatigue and exercise tolerance were found in the sample. The agreement between the raters was moderate to perfect, demonstrating that the method can be reproducible.

The body structures and functions, environmental factors, activities and participation in a person's environment are determinant aspects of his health.Ways to measure these aspects are key to assessing health not only as absence of disease, so the International Classification of Disability and Functional Health demonstrates the ability to fully describe health.This study proposes a standardization in the use of the tool to facilitate usability in clinical practice.

Long-Term Disabilities in ICU Survivors of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is associated with prolonged disability, particularly after critical illness. This study aimed to assess and compare disability post-hospital discharge of subjects who were invasively ventilated versus those who were not, following ICU admission due to COVID-19. This study also explored variables associated with long-term disability. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, subjects with COVID-19 who received invasive ventilation, noninvasive ventilation, or high-flow nasal cannula during ICU stay were assessed with the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 at 3 and 6 months post-hospital discharge. Data were analyzed collectively and stratified as subjects with and without invasive mechanical ventilation. Analysis of variance and multiple regression analyses were applied. RESULTS: The subjects (N = 43) were mainly male, middle age, and overweight. Subjects who were invasively ventilated (n = 21) had decreased physical function compared to those who were not during hospital assessments. From 3-6 months after discharge, all WHODAS domains and the overall score decreased in both groups (P < .001), indicating disability recovery. The participation domain, which assesses joining in society, was the only domain that remained worse in the ventilation group compared to the no ventilation group (P = .01). No interaction was found between time and the study groups, suggesting that the recovery trajectory was similar. At 6 months, considering the entire cohort, 70% and 56% had no disability in self-care and getting along domains, respectively, while 42% exhibited moderate to severe disability in the participation domain. According to the overall WHODAS score, 86% of subjects still had some level of disability at 6 months. In multivariate analyses, the overall WHODAS score along with the household and participation domains showed significant positive correlations, indicating higher disability, with corticosteroid use. CONCLUSIONS: Disability persisted at 6 month post-hospital discharge for ICU survivors of COVID-19, regardless of the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Participation was the only domain that showed higher disability among those who received invasive ventilation.

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.

Is it time to rethink disability assessment in low back pain? Reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the Brazilian WHODAS 2.0 for chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The World Health Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) was developed to assess health and disability based on the biopsychosocial model. The WHODAS 2.0 has not been validated for Brazilians with chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP). We aimed to evaluate the reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the Brazilian version of the WHODAS 2.0 in patients with chronic LBP. METHODS: Methodological study. The Brazilian version of the WHODAS 2.0 was applied to 100 volunteers with chronic nonspecific LBP. Test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity were assessed using the Spearman correlation test, Cronbach's alpha (α) coefficient, and Spearman's correlation test between WHODAS 2.0, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), respectively. RESULTS: WHODAS 2.0 showed satisfactory test-retest reliability with a moderate correlation for total WHODAS 2.0 (r = 0.75, p < 0.05). Internal consistency was adequate for all domains and total score (α = 0.82-0.96). Regarding construct validity, WHODAS 2.0, ODI (r = 0.70, p < 0.05), and WHODAS 2.0 and RMDQ (r = 0.71, p < 0.05) had significant correlations. Total WHODAS 2.0 and FABQ-Phys subscale scores correlated moderately (r = 0.66, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: The Brazilian WHODAS 2.0 was proved to be a valid and reliable tool for patients with chronic LBP. The item referring to sexual intercourse had 27% and 30% of the missing values during the test and retest stage, respectively and had a high percentage of missing data for work-related questions (41% missing data) in the life activities domain; therefore, the data must be interpreted with caution. IMPLICATIONS FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY PRACTICE: WHODAS 2.0 can be used as a disability assessment strategy from a biopsychosocial perspective in this population.

Characterization of pulmonary and systemic inflammatory responses produced by lung re-expansion after one-lung ventilation.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the pulmonary and systemic inflammatory responses of rats undergoing 1-hour or 3-hour one-lung ventilation (OLV) with subsequent 1-hour lung re-expansion. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled animal experiment. SETTING: University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty male Wistar rats were used. INTERVENTIONS: Rats were subjected to 1- or 3-hour OLV followed or not by 1-hour lung re-expansion. Control rats received no ventilation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Pulmonary protein extravasation, pulmonary myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, cytokine levels in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), counts of total and differential cells in BAL fluid, gasometric data, and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) were all evaluated. Bronchial occlusion for 1 or 3 hours with no lung re-expansion did not significantly change the protein extravasation in the right and left lungs compared with the control group. However, rats submitted to 1- or 3-hour OLV followed by lung re-expansion exhibited pulmonary edema formation and neutrophil recruitment as well as a higher MPO activity in comparison with control rats. Increased levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor-α in BAL fluid were observed. Increased levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in serum also were detected. Blood gas and MABP did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Lung re-expansion after bronchial occlusion evokes an acute lung inflammatory response, which has been shown to be more pronounced in long periods of bronchial occlusion in terms of cytokine inflammatory response. In addition, the magnitude of this inflammatory response also can be detected systemically.

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.

Validation of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) for individuals with COPD.

PURPOSE: COPD fits the profile of disabling health conditions. This study aims to validate the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) in individuals with COPD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 100 participants with COPD responded to the Brazilian 36-item version of the WHODAS 2.0, as well as the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Spirometric data was extracted from medical records. RESULTS: The internal consistency analysis showed coefficients for all WHODAS 2.0 domains with a strong correlation (0.70-0.85) except for Life activities, which had a moderate correlation (coefficient = 0.60). In the construct analysis, the coefficients for the WHODAS and SGRQ domains presented a consistent correlation among them, varying from 0.40 to 0.69. No correlation was evidenced among the WHODAS domains and the spirometric data, highlighting that linear measures fail when associated with the functioning of an individual with COPD. Discriminative analysis revealed a capacity for the WHODAS 2.0 to distinguish among COPD different levels of clinical impact obtained from CAT excluding the Getting along domain. CONCLUSION: The WHODAS 2.0 shows as a valid instrument that can sensibly assess functioning differences related to the clinical impact classification level in subjects with COPD.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONWHODAS 2.0 is a valid tool to assess functioning in subjects with COPD.WHODAS 2.0 is sensitive to functioning differences related to classification level and to clinical impact in individuals with COPD.As a Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (PROM), WHODAS 2.0 offers the opportunity to develop clinical patient-centered interventions, improving the health care.As a low-cost, easy-to-use tool, WHODAS can be a useful resource in the process of clinical assessment of patient functioning.

Practice recommendations for the role of physiotherapy in the management of sleep disorders: the 2022 Brazilian Sleep Association Guidelines.

This clinical guideline supported by the Brazilian Sleep Association comprises a brief history of the development of Brazilian sleep physiotherapy, outlines the role of the physiotherapist as part of a sleep health team, and describes the clinical guidelines in respect of the management of some sleep disorders by the physiotherapist (including sleep breathing disorders, i.e., obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, upper airway resistance syndrome, hypoventilation syndromes and overlap syndrome, and pediatric sleep breathing disorders; sleep bruxism; circadian rhythms disturbances; insomnia; and Willis-Ekbom disease/periodic limb movement disorder. This clinical practice guideline reflects the state of the art at the time of publication and will be reviewed and updated as new information becomes available.

Functioning in the fibromyalgia syndrome: validity and reliability of the WHODAS 2.0.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is both a challenging and disabling condition. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) classifies FMS as chronic primary pain, and it can negatively impact individuals' functioning including social, psychological, physical and work-related factors. Notably, while guidelines recommend a biopsychosocial approach for managing chronic pain conditions, FMS assessment remains clinical. The WHODAS 2.0 is a unified scale to measure disability in the light of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Brazilian version of WHODAS 2.0 for use in individuals with FMS. METHODS: Methodological study of the validity and reliability of the Brazilian version of the 36-item WHODAS 2.0 with 110 individuals with FMS. The instrument gives a score from 0 to 100, the higher the value, the worse the level of functioning. We assessed participants with Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) (0-100), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) (0-10) and Beck Depression Inventory instrument (BDI) (0-63). The construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest stability. We used SF-36, FIQ and BDI to study construct validity analysis. For statistical analysis, we performed the intraclass correlation (ICC), Spearman correlation, and Cronbach's alpha, with a statistical level of 5%. RESULTS: Most participants were female (92.27%), aged 45 (± 15) years. The test-retest reliability analysis (n = 50) showed stability of the instrument (ICC = 0.54; ρ = 0.84, p < 0.05). The test-retest correlation between the domains was moderate to strong (ρ > 0.58 and < 0.90). Internal consistency was satisfactory for total WHODAS 2.0 (0.91) and also for domains, ranging from 0.44 to 0.81. The construct validity showed satisfactory values with all moderately correlated with WHODAS 2.0 instruments (> 0.46 and < 0.64; p < 0.05). WHODAS 2.0 evaluates the functioning encompassing components of health-related quality of life, functional impact, and depressive symptoms in those with FMS. CONCLUSIONS: WHODAS 2.0 is a reliable and valid instrument to evaluate functioning of Brazilians with FMS. It provides reliable information on individuals' health through of a multidimensional perspective, that allows for individual-centered care.

Can morphological features evaluated in oral cancer biopsies influence in decision-making? A preliminary study.

Tumor budding (TB) is a promising prognostic marker in many cancers including oral squamous cell carcinoma. The evaluation of TB in preoperative diagnostic biopsies has been proven be possible; therefore, the association of TB with other morphological features can represent an important aid in the previous treatment decision. This study aims to evaluate TB in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) biopsies, assessing its association with other morphological characteristics of the sample. A total of 56 cases of OSCC were investigated. In hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides, morphological features including histopathological grading and mode of invasion were evaluated in the deep invasive front. Moreover, immunohistochemistry was performed with anti-multi-cytokeratin antibody helping in the identification of TB, which was graded as low-intensity or no TB and high-intensity TB. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed, and the level of significance was set at 5%. The tongue was the most-affected site with 29 (51.7 %) tumors. The predominant mode of invasion (27-48.2 %) was by groups of neoplastic cells without clear boundaries. Of the cases investigated, 37 (66.1 %) were high-intensity TB, which was associated with the mode of invasion of the tumors (p < 0.05). All cases with the worst mode of invasion showed high-intensity TB. Preliminary results showed the potential of morphological features, such as TB and mode of invasion, evaluated in diagnostic specimens of OSCC, aiding in the treatment decision to select patients who could benefit from more-aggressive treatments.