Pulmonary and Functional Rehabilitation Improves Functional Capacity, Pulmonary Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Post COVID-19 Patients: Pilot Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients affected by COVID-19 may develop an impaired lung function, with reduced lung capacities and volumes, respiratory muscle weakness, changes in radiographic and tomographic findings, limitations in exercising, decreased functional capacity, depression, anxiety and reduced quality of life. Thus, we aimed to analyze the effects of a pulmonary and functional rehabilitation program on the functional capacity, lung function and respiratory muscle strength in patients who were affected by COVID-19 syndrome. METHODS: This is a pilot clinical trial, composed of post-COVID-19 patients with mild, moderate or severe involvement, in which, they underwent a pulmonary and functional rehabilitation program. Patients were evaluated for functional capacity by the 6 min walk test, pulmonary function by spirometry, respiratory muscle strength by manovacuometry, handgrip strength by dynamometry, quality of life by the COPD Assessment Test and functional status by the PCFS. After the initial assessments, the patients performed the rehabilitation protocol in 16 sessions (inspiratory muscle training, aerobic exercise and peripheral muscle strength) and, at the end, they were evaluated again. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients completed the program (12.7 ± 2.7 sessions). The functional capacity increased in meters walked from 326.3 ± 140.6 to 445.4 ± 151.1 (p < 0.001), with an increase in the predicted value from 59.7% to 82.6% (p < 0.001). The lung function increased in liters from 2.9 ± 0.8 to 3.2 ± 0.8 (p = 0.004) for forced vital capacity and from 2.5 ± 0.7 to 2.7 ± 0.7 (p = 0.001) for forced expiratory volume in the first second. The respiratory muscle strength increased in cmH2O from 101.4 ± 46.3 to 115.8 ± 38.3 (p = 0.117) for inspiratory pressure and from 85.8 ± 32.8 to 106.7 ± 36.8 (p < 0.001) for expiratory pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The pulmonary and functional rehabilitation program provided an improvement in the functional capacity, pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in post-COVID-19 patients, restoring their quality of life.

EXERCISE IN THE PHYSICAL REHABILITATION OF CIRROTICS: A RANDOMIZED PILOT STUDY.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise delays the sarcopenic process and can reverse the loss of muscle strength, improve quality of life and prognosis in cirrhotic patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to verify the effects of face-to-face versus home aerobic exercise on the variables fatigue, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with compensated cirrhosis. METHODS: Patients were selected by convenience, stratified and randomized into supervised face-to-face exercise (n=13) and home exercise without daily supervision (n=12). Patients were submitted to a program of aerobic physical exercises, with progressive duration of 30 to 50 minutes, twice a week for twelve weeks. Before starting the program and every four weeks, all patients in both groups were assessed for fatigue (fatigue severity scale), respiratory (Pimáx and Pemáx) and peripheral (concentric quadriceps peak torque) muscle strength, functional capacity (6-minute walking distance) and quality of life (Short Form-36 Health Survey questionnaire). RESULTS: The face-to-face group showed reduced fatigue (P<0.001), increased inspiratory (P<0.001), expiratory (P<0.001) and peripheral (P<0.001) muscle strength of the 6MWD (P<0.001) and improved quality of life. The home group showed no significant improvement in these variables. CONCLUSION: A face-to-face program of moderate aerobic exercise in patients with compensated cirrhosis reduces fatigue, improves functional capacity and quality of life and increases respiratory and peripheral muscle strength. Home physical exercises do not cause the same adaptive effects in this population.

PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTY OF FATIGUE SEVERITY SCALE AND CORRELATION WITH DEPRESSION AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN CIRRHOTICS.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common complaint in cirrhotic patients and may be considered a debilitating symptom with negative impact on quality of life. Research on its etiology and treatment has been hampered by the lack of relevant and reproducible measures of fatigue. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in cirrhotic patients and to correlate with depressive symptomatology and quality of life. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 106 cirrhotic patients, aged between 18 and 70 years, both genders, literate, pre and post liver transplantation in outpatient follow-up. Internal consistency, reproducibility, discriminant validity, criterion validity, construct validity, responsiveness criterion, depressive symptomatology and quality of life were evaluated through questionnaires between January and October 2015. RESULTS: The mean age was 54.75±9.9 years, 65.1% male and 32.1% of the sample had cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus. The mean FSS score was 4.74±1.64. Cronbach's alpha was 0.93, and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was 0.905 (95% CI: 0.813-0.952). For discriminant validity, FSS differentiated scores from different groups (P=0.009) and presented a correlation with the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (r=0.606, P=0.002). FSS correlated significantly and positively with depressive symptomatology and correlated negatively with the SF-36 domains for construct validity. For responsiveness, no significant changes were observed in the fatigue scores in the pre and post-liver transplantation periods (P=0.327). CONCLUSION: FSS showed good psychometric performance in the evaluation of fatigue in patients with cirrhosis. Fatigue presented a strong correlation with depressive symptomatology and quality of life.

Exercício na reabilitação física de cirróticos: um estudo piloto randomizado / Exercise in the physical rehabilitation of cirrotics: a randomized pilot study

ABSTRACT Background: Physical exercise delays the sarcopenic process and can reverse the loss of muscle strength, improve quality of life and prognosis in cirrhotic patients. Objective: The aim was to verify the effects of face-to-face versus home aerobic exercise on the variables fatigue, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Methods: Patients were selected by convenience, stratified and randomized into supervised face-to-face exercise (n=13) and home exercise without daily supervision (n=12). Patients were submitted to a program of aerobic physical exercises, with progressive duration of 30 to 50 minutes, twice a week for twelve weeks. Before starting the program and every four weeks, all patients in both groups were assessed for fatigue (fatigue severity scale), respiratory (Pimáx and Pemáx) and peripheral (concentric quadriceps peak torque) muscle strength, functional capacity (6-minute walking distance) and quality of life (Short Form-36 Health Survey questionnaire). Results: The face-to-face group showed reduced fatigue (P<0.001), increased inspiratory (P<0.001), expiratory (P<0.001) and peripheral (P<0.001) muscle strength of the 6MWD (P<0.001) and improved quality of life. The home group showed no significant improvement in these variables. Conclusion: A face-to-face program of moderate aerobic exercise in patients with compensated cirrhosis reduces fatigue, improves functional capacity and quality of life and increases respiratory and peripheral muscle strength. Home physical exercises do not cause the same adaptive effects in this population.

RESUMO Contexto: O exercício físico retarda o processo sarcopênico e pode reverter a perda de força muscular, melhorar a qualidade de vida e prognóstico em cirróticos. Objetivo: O objetivo foi verificar os efeitos do exercício aeróbico presencial versus domiciliar sobre variáveis fadiga, força muscular respiratória e periférica, capacidade funcional e qualidade de vida em pacientes com cirrose compensada. Métodos: Os pacientes foram selecionados por conveniência, estratificados e randomizados em exercício presencial supervisionado (n=13) e exercício domiciliar sem supervisão diária (n=12). Os pacientes foram submetidos a um programa de exercícios físicos aeróbicos, com duração progressiva de 30 minutos a 1 hora, duas vezes por semana durante 12 semanas. Antes de iniciar o programa e a cada 4 semanas, todos os pacientes de ambos os grupos foram avaliados quanto à fadiga (escala de gravidade da fadiga), força muscular respiratória (Pimáx e Pemáx) e periférica (pico de torque do quadríceps concêntrico), capacidade funcional (distância caminhada de 6 minutos) e qualidade de vida (questionário Short Form-36 Health Survey). Resultados: O grupo presencial apresentou redução da fadiga (P<0,001), aumento da força muscular inspiratória (P<0,001), expiratória (P<0,001), e periférica (P<0,001), da DTC6 (P<0,001) e melhora da qualidade de vida. O grupo domiciliar não apresentou melhora significativa nessas variáveis. Conclusão: Um programa presencial de exercícios aeróbicos moderados em pacientes com cirrose compensada reduz a fadiga, melhora a capacidade funcional e qualidade de vida, aumenta força muscular respiratória e periférica. Os exercícios físicos domiciliares não provocam os mesmos efeitos adaptativos nesta população.

Perfil e desfechos clínicos de pacientes internados por covid-19 em um hospital do sul do brasil / Perfil y resultados clínicos de pacientes internados por covid-19 en un hospital del sur de brasil / Clinical profile and outcomes of patients hospitalized for covid-19 in a hospital in southern brazil

Objetivo: descrever perfil e desfechos clínicos de pacientes diagnosticados com COVID-19 admitidos em hospital privado na região Sul do Brasil. Método: estudo descritivo, realizado com 110 pacientes com COVID-19 que necessitaram de internação hospitalar entre março e maio de 2020. Foram coletados dados sociodemográficos, perfil clínico, sinais e sintomas e desfechos clínicos. Adotou-se análise descritiva para interpretação dos dados. Resultados: predominou sexo masculino (64,5%). Comorbidade prevalente: Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica (45,5%). Sinais e sintomas com maior destaque: tosse (53,6%) e dispneia (48,2%). Desfechos clínicos evidenciados: tomografia de tórax com opacidades em vidro fosco (98,2%), suplementação com oxigenoterapia (86,4%), encaminhamento para Unidade de Internação (90,9%). Intercorrências observadas: arritmias cardíacas (18,2%) e hipoxemia (18,2%). Desfecho final predominante foi alta melhorada (90%). Conclusão: a descrição de perfil e desfecho clínico de pacientes com COVID-19 proporcionará o direcionamento de cuidados com fluxos e protocolos assistenciais que garantam qualidade da assistência e segurança na prática clínica.

Objetivo: describir perfil y resultados clínicos de pacientes diagnosticados con COVID-19 admitidos en hospital privado en la región Sur de Brasil. Método: estudio descriptivo, realizado con 110 pacientes con COVID-19 que necesitaron de internación hospitalaria entre marzo y mayo de 2020. Se recogieron datos sociodemográficos, perfil clínico, signos y síntomas y resultados clínicos. Se adoptó análisis descriptivo para interpretación de los datos. Resultados: predominó sexo masculino (64,5%). Comorbilidad prevalente: Hipertensión Arterial Sistémica (45,5%). Signos y síntomas con mayor destaque: tos (53,6%) y disnea (48,2%). Resultados clínicos evidenciados: tomografía de tórax con opacidades en vidrio esmerilado (98,2%), suplementación con oxigenoterapia (86,4%), encaminamiento para Unidad de Internación (90,9%). Complicaciones observadas: arritmias cardíacas (18,2%) e hipoxemia (18,2%). Resultado final predominante fue alta mejorada (90%). Conclusión: la descripción de perfil y resultado clínico de pacientes con COVID-19 proporcionará la orientación de cuidados con flujos y protocolos asistenciales que garanticen calidad de la asistencia y seguridad en la práctica clínica.

Objective: to describe the clinical profile and outcomes of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 admitted to a private hospital in southern Brazil. Method: descriptive study, conducted with 110 patients with COVID-19 who required hospitalization between March and May 2020. Sociodemographic data, clinical profile, signs and symptoms, and clinical outcomes were collected. Descriptive analysis was adopted for data interpretation. Results: male predominated (64.5%). Prevalent comorbidity: Systemic Arterial Hypertension (45.5%). Signs and symptoms with greater prominence: cough (53.6%) and dyspnea (48.2%). Clinical outcomes evidenced: chest tomography with ground-glass opacities (98.2%), supplementation with oxygen therapy (86.4%), referral to the Hospitalization Unit (90.9%). Observed complications: cardiac arrhythmias (18.2%) and hypoxemia (18.2%). Predominant outcome was improved discharge (90%). Conclusion: the description of the clinical profile and outcome of patients with COVID-19 will provide the direction of care with care flows and protocols that guarantee quality of care and safety in clinical practice.

RELIABILITY OF THE FATIGUE SEVERITY SCALE IN CIRRHOTIC AND CORRELATION WITH DEPRESSION AND QUALITY OF LIFE: preliminary assessment.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common complaint in patients with liver disease and may be considered a disabling symptom, affecting their quality of life and mental health. The Brazilian version of the Fatigue Severity Scale showed sensitivity to assess fatigue in some populations, but has not been tested in cirrhotic individuals. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the Fatigue Severity Scale and association with depression and quality of life in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: A prospective cohort study where the same interviewer applied to 25 patients Fatigue Severity Scale questionnaires, Brazilian version of the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI- II) and Brazilian version of the Short Form Health Survey II (SF-36 v.II). Evaluating the reliability of the Fatigue Severity Scale through internal consistency and reproducibility was conducted. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.917) and intraobserver reproducibility test, there was no significant difference between both moments (P=0.828). Fatigue Severity Scale was significantly associated with BDI- II (r=0.478; P=0.016) and quality of life in areas PF (r=-0.484; P=0.014), BP (r=-0.402; P=0.046) and GH (r=-0.406; P=0.044) and SF (r=-0.520; P=0.008). CONCLUSION: The Fatigue Severity Scale showed satisfactory reliability in evaluation of fatigue in cirrhotic and can be used as a tool for this purpose. Fatigue is related to depression and quality of life in the physical aspects domains, pain, general health and social aspects.

Functional Capacity, Respiratory Muscle Strength, and Oxygen Consumption Predict Mortality in Patients with Cirrhosis.

Introduction. Liver diseases influence musculoskeletal functions and may negatively affect the exercise capacity of patients with cirrhosis. Aim. To test the relationship between the six-minute walk test (6MWT), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and exercise capacity (VO2peak) measures and the survival rate of patients with cirrhosis. Methods. This prospective cohort study consisted of 86 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis with the following aetiology: hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and/or alcoholic cirrhosis (AC). All patients were followed up for three years and submitted to the 6MWT, pressure measurements with a compound gauge, and an exercise test (VO2peak). Results. The survival analysis showed that the individuals who covered a distance shorter than 410 m during the 6MWT had a survival rate of 55% compared with a rate of 97% for the individuals who walked more than 410 m (p = 0.0001). Individuals with MIPs below -70 cmH2O had a survival rate of 62% compared with a rate of 93% for those with MIPs above -70 cmH2O (p = 0.0001). The patients with values below 17 mL/kg had a survival rate of 55% compared with a rate of 94% for those with values above 17 mL/kg (p = 0.0001). Conclusion. The 6MWT distance, MIP, and oxygen consumption are predictors of mortality in patients with cirrhosis.

Propriedade psicométrica da escala de severidade de fadiga e correlação com depressão e qualidade de vida em cirróticos / Psychometric property of fatigue severity scale and correlation with depression and quality of life in cirrhotics

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common complaint in cirrhotic patients and may be considered a debilitating symptom with negative impact on quality of life. Research on its etiology and treatment has been hampered by the lack of relevant and reproducible measures of fatigue. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in cirrhotic patients and to correlate with depressive symptomatology and quality of life. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 106 cirrhotic patients, aged between 18 and 70 years, both genders, literate, pre and post liver transplantation in outpatient follow-up. Internal consistency, reproducibility, discriminant validity, criterion validity, construct validity, responsiveness criterion, depressive symptomatology and quality of life were evaluated through questionnaires between January and October 2015. RESULTS: The mean age was 54.75±9.9 years, 65.1% male and 32.1% of the sample had cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus. The mean FSS score was 4.74±1.64. Cronbach's alpha was 0.93, and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was 0.905 (95% CI: 0.813-0.952). For discriminant validity, FSS differentiated scores from different groups (P=0.009) and presented a correlation with the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (r=0.606, P=0.002). FSS correlated significantly and positively with depressive symptomatology and correlated negatively with the SF-36 domains for construct validity. For responsiveness, no significant changes were observed in the fatigue scores in the pre and post-liver transplantation periods (P=0.327). CONCLUSION: FSS showed good psychometric performance in the evaluation of fatigue in patients with cirrhosis. Fatigue presented a strong correlation with depressive symptomatology and quality of life.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A fadiga é uma queixa comum em pacientes cirróticos e pode ser considerada um sintoma debilitante com impacto negativo na qualidade de vida. A investigação sobre a sua etiologia e tratamento tem sido dificultada pela falta de medidas relevantes e reprodutíveis da fadiga. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da Escala de Gravidade da Fadiga (FSS) em pacientes cirróticos e correlacionar com sintomatologia depressiva e qualidade de vida. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com amostra de conveniência de 106 pacientes cirróticos, com idade entre 18 e 70 anos, ambos os sexos, alfabetizados, pré e pós-transplante hepático em acompanhamento ambulatorial. Foram avaliados: consistência interna, reprodutibilidade, validade discriminante, validade de critério, validade de construto, critério de responsividade, sintomatologia depressiva e qualidade de vida através de questionários, entre janeiro e outubro de 2015. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi 54,75±9,9 anos, 65,1% do sexo masculino e 32,1% da amostra apresentava cirrose pelo vírus da hepatite C. O escore médio no FSS foi de 4,74±1,64. O alfa de Cronbach foi de 0,93, e o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse foi de 0,905 (IC 95%: 0,813-0,952). Para validade discriminante, o FSS diferenciou escores de grupos distintos (P=0,009) e apresentou correlação com a Escala de Impacto de Fadiga Modificada (r=0,606, P=0,002). O FSS se correlacionou significativamente e positivamente com sintomatologia depressiva e, negativamente com os domínios SF-36 para a validade de construto. Para responsividade, não foram observadas alterações significativas nos escores de fadiga nos períodos de transplante pré e pós-fígado (P=0,327). CONCLUSÃO: O FSS mostrou bom desempenho psicométrico na avaliação da fadiga em pacientes com cirrose. A fadiga apresentou forte correlação com sintomatologia depressiva e qualidade de vida.