Association of daily physical activity with psychosocial aspects and functional capacity in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: a cross-sectional study.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension impairs exercise tolerance and daily physical activity. Aside from the hemodynamic limitations, physical, cognitive, and emotional factors may play a relevant and as yet unexplored role. We investigated whether there is an association between the physical activity level and psychological disorders, health-related quality of life, and daily activities. We also searched for an association of the physical activity level with clinical factors and functional capacity. This was an analytical, cross-sectional, observational study conducted in a Brazilian University Hospital. Twenty stable pulmonary arterial hypertension subjects wore an accelerometer for a week and completed an activity diary. They answered the quality of life questionnaire (SF-36), as well as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, and the Manchester Respiratory Activities of Daily Living questionnaire. Transthoracic echocardiography, the six-minute walk test, the one-minute sit-to-stand test, and spirometry were performed. For statistical analysis, we used Chi-square tests or Fisher's test as appropriate and the Mann-Whitney test to compare numerical values between two groups. The relationship between the parameters was assessed using the Spearman correlation test. The mean age was 44.3 years, 80% were women, 80% had idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, and 20% had connective tissue disease. The mean daily step count was 4280 ± 2351, and the mean activity time was 41.6 ± 19.3 min. The distance covered (six-minute walk test) was 451.5 m, and the number of movements (one-minute sit-to-stand test) was 23.8. Thirty percent scored positive for anxiety, and 15% for depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale). There was a significant correlation between accelerometer data and walking distance (six-minute walk test), number of movements (one-minute sit-to-stand test), level of daily physical activity (Manchester Respiratory Activities of Daily Living questionnaire), and depression symptoms. Our findings support the hypothesis that other aspects beyond physical and hemodynamic ones might impact the daily physical activity of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Prevalence and clinical outcomes of nontuberculous mycobacteria in a Brazilian cystic fibrosis reference center.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have been well established as an opportunistic pathogenic bacterial group for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, with a prevalence ranging from 3% to 23% worldwide. A myriad of factors can bias the prevalence rate in different CF centers, especially misdiagnosis as systematic screening for NTM are still lacking in a number of centers. Here, we evaluated the presence and clinical outcomes of NTM isolation in microbiological respiratory cultures from CF patients attending a Brazilian reference center after setting up a systematic diagnostic protocol. Of 117 patients with respiratory samples cultured for NTM research, we found seven patients (6%) with at least one positive result for NTM [four males (57.1%), median age = 21 years (9-58)]. These cases are reported one-by-one. Median FEV1 was 40%, all patients showed signs of lung deterioration, with a median number of pulmonary exacerbations of three per patient/year. However, the impact of NTM isolation remains unclear in our center as all patients were coinfected with other CF respiratory pathogens. Our NTM prevalence assimilates to the lowest levels reported in literature, which is possibly influenced by the routinely applied Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine.

Volumetric capnography as a tool to detect early peripheric lung obstruction in cystic fibrosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare spirometry and volumetric capnography (VCap) to determine if the capnographic values add more information about early lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving CF patients: Group I (42 patients, 6-12 years of age); and Group II (22 patients, 13-20 years of age). The corresponding control groups were comprised of 30 and 50 healthy subjects, respectively. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), and the FEV(1)/FVC ratio was determined by spirometry. Using VCap, we measured peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), respiratory rate (RR), inspiratory time (IT), expiratory time (ET), and the phase III slope normalized by expiratory volume (phase III slope/Ve). RESULTS: In comparison with control groups, all CF patients presented higher phase III slope/Ve values (p < 0.001) independent of the pulmonary disease stage. The phase III slope/Ve was significantly higher in the 24 patients who presented normal spirometry results (p = 0.018). The Group II patients showed lower FVC, FEV(1), FEV(1)/FVC (p < 0.05), and also lower SpO(2) values (p < 0.001) when compared with Group I patients. In comparison with Control Group II, the Group II patients presented higher RR (p < 0.001), and lower IT and ET values (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the controls, all studied CF patients showed an increase in phase III slope/Ve values. VCap identified the heterogeneity of the ventilation distribution in the peripheral airways of CF patients who presented normal spirometry.

Capnografia volumétrica como meio de detectar obstrução pulmonar periférica precoce em pacientes com fibrose cística / Volumetric capnography as a tool to detect early peripheric lung obstruction in cystic fibrosis patients

OBJETIVO: Comparar a espirometria e a capnografia volumétrica (CapV) para determinar se os valores amostrados pela capnografia acrescentam informações sobre doenças pulmonares precoces em pacientes com fibrose cística (FC). MÉTODOS: Este foi um estudo do tipo corte transversal envolvendo pacientes com FC: Grupo I (42 pacientes, 6-12 anos de idade) e Grupo II (22 pacientes, 13-20 anos de idade). Os grupos controle correspondentes eram formados por 30 e 50 indivíduos saudáveis, respectivamente. A capacidade vital forçada (CVF), o volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) e a relação VEF1/CVF foram determinados pela espirometria. Através da CapV, medimos a saturação periférica de oxigênio (SpO2), a frequência respiratória (FR), o tempo inspiratório (TI), o tempo expiratório (TE) e o slope da fase III normalizado pelo volume corrente (slope da fase III/Vc). RESULTADOS: Em comparação com os grupos controle, todos os pacientes com FC apresentaram valores de slope da fase III/Vc (p < 0,001) mais altos independentemente do estágio de doença pulmonar. O slope da fase III/Vc foi significantemente mais alto nos 24 pacientes que tiveram resultados normais de espirometria (p = 0,018). Os pacientes do Grupo II apresentaram valores de CVF, VEF1, VEF1/CVF (p < 0,05) e SpO2 (p < 0,001) mais baixos que os pacientes do Grupo I. Os pacientes do Grupo II, comparados com os do Grupo Controle II, apresentaram FR (p < 0,001) mais alta e valores de TI e TE (p < 0,001) mais baixos. CONCLUSÕES: Todos os pacientes com FC mostraram ter valores mais altos de slope da fase III/Vc quando comparados com os pacientes dos grupos controle. A CapV identificou a heterogeneidade da distribuição da ventilação nas vias aéreas periféricas dos pacientes com FC que apresentaram espirometria normal.

OBJECTIVE: To compare spirometry and volumetric capnography (VCap) to determine if the capnographic values add more information about early lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving CF patients: Group I (42 patients, 6-12 years of age); and Group II (22 patients, 13-20 years of age). The corresponding control groups were comprised of 30 and 50 healthy subjects, respectively. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and the FEV1/FVC ratio was determined by spirometry. Using VCap, we measured peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate (RR), inspiratory time (IT), expiratory time (ET), and the phase III slope normalized by expiratory volume (phase III slope/Ve). RESULTS: In comparison with control groups, all CF patients presented higher phase III slope/Ve values (p < 0.001) independent of the pulmonary disease stage. The phase III slope/Ve was significantly higher in the 24 patients who presented normal spirometry results (p = 0.018). The Group II patients showed lower FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC (p < 0.05), and also lower SpO2 values (p < 0.001) when compared with Group I patients. In comparison with Control Group II, the Group II patients presented higher RR (p < 0.001), and lower IT and ET values (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the controls, all studied CF patients showed an increase in phase III slope/Ve values. VCap identified the heterogeneity of the ventilation distribution in the peripheral airways of CF patients who presented normal spirometry.

Expression of circulating leucocytes before, during and after myiasis by Dermatobia hominis in experimentally infected rats.

Expression of circulating white blood cells was investigated in rats (Rattus norvegicus) experimentally infected with larvae of Dermatobia hominis, the human bot fly. Leucocytes were counted prior to infection (control group) as well as at 6, 10, 15, 20 and 28 days post-infection (dpi) and at 7, 15, 30 and 60 days post-larval emergence (dple). Total leucocyte numbers did not differ markedly among the groups. Significant differences were registered when values from control and animals harboring each larval stage of D. hominis were compared; with crescent rank: L1-, L2-, control and L3-infected groups. Leucocyte numbers were significantly higher in the control, 15, 20 or 28 dpi groups than in the 6 dpi animals. Higher counts were observed in control, L2- or L3-infected rats than L1-infected animals. Neutrophils, eosinophils and both large and small lymphocytes were also counted and analyzed. Basophils and monocytes were insufficient in number to permit statistical studies. These results stimulate the continuity of the studies about the host-parasite relationship in the dermatobiosis.

Expression of circulating leucocytes before, during and after myiasis by Dermatobia hominis in experimentally infected rats

Expression of circulating white blood cells was investigated in rats (Rattus norvegicus) experimentally infected with larvae of Dermatobia hominis, the human bot fly. Leucocytes were counted prior to infection (control group) as well as at 6, 10, 15, 20 and 28 days post-infection (dpi) and at 7, 15, 30 and 60 days post-larval emergence (dple). Total leucocyte numbers did not differ markedly among the groups. Significant differences were registered when values from control and animals harboring each larval stage of D. hominis were compared; with crescent rank: L1-, L2-, control and L3-infected groups. Leucocyte numbers were significantly higher in the control, 15, 20 or 28 dpi groups than in the 6 dpi animals. Higher counts were observed in control, L2- or L3-infected rats than L1-infected animals. Neutrophils, eosinophils and both large and small lymphocytes were also counted and analyzed. Basophils and monocytes were insufficient in number to permit statistical studies. These results stimulate the continuity of the studies about the host-parasite relationship in the dermatobiosis.

A expressão de leucócitos sangüínea foi investigada em ratos (Rattus norvegicus) experimentalmente infectados com larvas de Dermatobia hominis. As células foram contadas antes, durante, aos 6, 10, 15, 20 e 28 dias pós-infestação (dpi), e aos 7, 15, 30 e 60 dias pós-emergência das larvas dos hospedeiros. O total de leucócitos não apresentou marcante diferença entre todos os grupos de animais. Todavia, diferenças significantes foram observadas quanto ao parasitismo pelos estádios larvares, com nível crescente: L1, L2, controle e L3. Na comparação entre grupos: o número de leucócitos foi significativo pró-controle, -15, -20 ou -28 dpi do que aos 6 dpi; e pró-controle, -L2 ou -L3 do que para L1. Neutrófilos, eosinófilos e linfócitos (pequenos e grandes) foram também analisados. Em contraste, o número insuficiente de basófilos e monócitos não permitiram estudos estatísticos. Estes resultados estimulam a continuação dos estudos sobre a relação parasito-hospedeiro nas dermatobioses.

Six-minute walk test for the evaluation of pulmonary disease severity in scleroderma patients.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary involvement is the leading cause of systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related deaths. A simple test to evaluate exercise capacity is the 6-min walk test (6MWT), and the walk distance is used as a primary outcome in clinical trials. Hemoglobin desaturation during a 6MWT is predictive of mortality in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. Our objectives were to evaluate the walk distance and resting oxygen saturation - oxygen saturation after the 6-min period (DeltaSat) during the 6MWT in patients with SSc, and to establish correlations between the 6MWT results and other clinical variables. METHODS: We analyzed 110 SSc patients. DeltaSat was defined as a fall of end-of-test saturation >or= 4%. Clinical and demographic data were collected. All the patients were submitted to chest radiographs and high-resolution CT (HRCT) and underwent pulmonary function testing and echocardiography, and the presence of autoantibodies was determined. RESULTS: The variables associated with a walk distance < 400 m (p < 0.05) were age, dyspnea index, fibrosis on radiography, pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) >or= 30 mm Hg, and desaturation. The variables associated with DeltaSat (p < 0.05) were age, positive anti-Scl-70 autoantibody, dyspnea index, fibrosis on radiography, FVC < 80% of predicted, PASP >or= 30 mm Hg, and ground-glass or reticular opacities on HRCT. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, three variables were significant when tested with walk distance: age, race, and dyspnea index; four variables were significant when tested with DeltaSat: age, dyspnea index, positive anti-Scl-70 autoantibody, and FVC < 80% of predicted. CONCLUSIONS: Desaturation during a 6MWT provides additional information regarding severity of disease in scleroderma patients with pulmonary manifestations.

Distribution and morphometry of skeletal muscle fibers in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic hypoxemia.

This study was designed to assess the size and distribution of muscle fiber types in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and stable chronic hypoxemia. Brachial biceps biopsies were performed in 8 patients and 12 controls. Histochemistry was used to count and determine the cross-sectional area of the various fiber-types (1, 2a, and 2b). A significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the proportion of type 2a fibers and an increase in the proportion and cross-sectional area of type 2b fibers were seen in hypoxemic patients. These findings suggest an adaptation of the muscle fibers to a low partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood.