The Association between fatigue and physical activity in patients hospitalized with subacute stroke.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the association between fatigue and physical activity in patients hospitalized with subacute stroke. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between fatigue and physical activity in patients hospitalized with subacute stroke. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 244 consecutive patients with stroke who were admitted to a subacute rehabilitation ward at our hospital. We assessed fatigue with the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) and used an accelerometer (Active style Pro HJA750-C, OMRON) to record the mean duration of sedentary behavior, light-intensity physical activity (LIPA), and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA). We assessed all factors at 1 month after stroke. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed the associations between FASscore and objectively measured physical activity. RESULTS: In total, we analyzed 85 patients. The duration of the sedentary behavior was significantly associated with the FAS score (ß = 1.46, p = 0.037) and the Functional Balance Scale score (ß = -1.35, p = 0.045). The LIPA time was significantly associated only with the FBS score (ß = 1.38, p = 0.045), whereas MVPA was not associated with any variable.

Determinants of Anaerobic Threshold at Each Stage of Renal Dysfunction in Patients With Heart Disease.

Patients with heart disease have a low anaerobic threshold (AT), and the determinants of AT may differ, depending on the severity of renal dysfunction. This study aimed to verify the determinants of AT for each stage of renal function in patients with heart disease. We consecutively enrolled 250 patients with heart disease who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing in our institution. The patients were divided into 3 groups by their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): <45, 45 to 59, and ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2. A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the independent determinants of AT for each group. In total, 201 patients were analyzed. AT decreased with the deterioration of renal function (eGFR <45, 10.9 ± 2.1 vs eGFR 45 to 59, 12.4 ± 2.5 vs eGFR ≥60, 14.0 ± 2.6 ml/min/kg, p <0.001). In the eGFR <45 group, left ventricular ejection fraction and hemoglobin were significantly associated with AT (ß = 0.427, p = 0.006 and ß = 0.488, p = 0.002, respectively). In the eGFR 45 to 59 and ≥60 groups, ΔPETO2 (end-tidal oxygen partial pressure from rest to AT) showed a significant association with AT (ß = 0.576, p <0.001 and ß = 0.308, p = 0.003, respectively). The determinants of AT depended on the stage of renal dysfunction in patients with heart disease. In conclusion, in the eGFR <45 group, the determinants of AT were left ventricular ejection fraction and hemoglobin, whereas in the eGFR 45 to 59 and eGFR ≥60 groups, the determinant of AT was ΔPETO2.

End-tidal oxygen partial pressure is a strong prognostic predictive factor in patients with cardiac disease.

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) variables represent central and peripheral factors and combined factors in the pathology of patients with cardiac disease. The difference in end-tidal oxygen partial pressure from resting to anaerobic threshold (ΔPETO2 ) may represent predominantly peripheral factors. This study aimed to verify the prognostic significance of ΔPETO2 for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in cardiac patients, including comparison with the minute ventilation-carbon dioxide production relationship (VE/VCO2 slope), and peak oxygen uptake (VO2 ). METHODS: In total, 185 patients with cardiac disease who underwent CPET were consecutively enroled in this retrospective study. The primary endpoint was 3-year MACCE. The ability of ΔPETO2 , VE/VCO2 slope, and peak VO2 to predict MACCE was examined. RESULTS: Optimal cut-off values for predicting MACCE were 2.0 mmHg for ΔPETO2 (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.829), 29.8 for VE/VCO2 slope (AUC: 0.734), and 19.0 mL/min/kg for peak VO2 (AUC: 0.755). The AUC of ΔPETO2 was higher than those of VE/VCO2 slope and peak VO2 . The MACCE-free survival rate was significantly lower in the ΔPETO2 ≤ 2.0 group versus the ΔPETO2 > 2.0 group (44.4% vs. 91.2%, p < 0.001). ΔPETO2 ≤ 2.0 was an independent predictor of MACCE after adjustment for age and VE/VCO2 slope (hazard ratio [HR], 7.28; p < 0.001) and after adjustment for age and peak VO2 (HR, 6.52; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: ΔPETO2 was a strong predictor of MACCE independent of and superior to VE/VCO2 slope and peak VO2 in patients with cardiac disease.

Relation of sedentary behaviour to physical function in phase I cardiac rehabilitation.

Increased sedentary behaviour (SB) is reportedly associated with mortality and morbidity in cardiovascular disease. However, its relation with physical function is not well understood in phase I cardiac rehabilitation (CR). This study aimed to investigate the rate of SB and the relation between SB and physical function among patients participating in phase I CR. This prospective multicentre cohort study enrolled patients participating in CR from October 2020 to July 2022. Patients with probable dementia and difficulty walking alone were excluded. We used sitting SB time as the index of SB and the Short Performance Physical Battery (SPPB) as the index of physical function at discharge. Patients were divided into the low SB group (< 480 min/day) or high SB group (≥ 480 min/day). We analysed and compared the two groups. The final analysis included 353 patients (mean age: 69.6 years, male: 75.6%), of whom 47.6% (168 of 353) were high SB patients. Total sitting SB time was higher in the high SB group versus the low SB group (733.6 ± 155.3 vs 246.4 ± 127.4 min/day, p < 0.001), and mean SPPB score was lower in the high SB group versus the low SB group (10.5 ± 2.4 vs 11.2 ± 1.6 points, p = 0.001). Multiple regression analysis identified SB as an explanatory variable for total SPPB score (p = 0.017). Patients with high SB had significantly lower SPPB scores than those with low SB. These findings underscore the importance of considering SB when improving physical function. Effective strategies to improve physical function can be developed that consider SB in phase I CR.

Association between worsening renal function severity during hospitalization and low physical function at discharge: a retrospective cohort study of older patients with heart failure and chronic kidney disease from Japan.

BACKGROUND: The number of hospitalized older patients with chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and worsening renal function is rising in Japan. This study aimed to clarify the impact of the severity of worsening renal function during hospitalization on low physical function at discharge of these patients. METHODS: We included 573 consecutive heart failure patients who underwent phase I cardiac rehabilitation. Worsening renal function severity was defined according to elevation during hospitalization of baseline serum creatinine on admission: non-worsening renal function, serum creatinine < 0.2 mg/dL; worsening renal function II/I, serum creatinine ≥ 0.2 to < 0.5 mg/dL; worsening renal function III, and serum creatinine ≥ 0.5 mL/dL. Physical function was measured with the Short Performance Physical Battery. We compared background factors, clinical parameters, pre-hospitalization walking levels, Functional Independence Measure score, and physical function in the three renal function groups. Multiple regression analysis was performed with the Short Performance Physical Battery at discharge as the dependent variable. RESULTS: The final analysis included 196 patients (mean age 82.7 years, male 51.5%) categorized into three groups based on worsening renal function: worsening renal function grade III group (n = 55), worsening renal function grade II/I group (n = 36), and non-worsening renal function group (n = 105). There is no significant difference in walking levels before hospitalization between the three groups, but physical function at discharge was significantly lower in the worsening renal function III group. Moreover, worsening renal function III was an independent factor for low physical function at discharge. CONCLUSION: Worsening of renal function during hospitalization in older patients with heart failure and chronic kidney disease was strongly associated with low physical function at discharge, even after adjusting for other potentially confounding factors, such as pre-hospitalization walking levels, walking start day, and Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index at discharge. Notably, worsening renal function of mild or moderate severity (grade II/I) did not show a significant association with low physical function.

Relationship between health literacy and physical function of patients participating in phase I cardiac rehabilitation: a multicenter clinical study.

Health literacy (HL) is an important decision factor for health. Both low HL and low physical function cause adverse events in cardiovascular disease patients, but their relationship is not well documented. To clarify the relationship between HL and physical function of patients participating in cardiac rehabilitation and calculate the cutoff value of the 14-item HL scale (HLS) for low handgrip strength, this multicenter clinical study named the Kobe-Cardiac Rehabilitation project for people around the World (K-CREW) was conducted among four affiliated hospitals with patients who underwent cardiac rehabilitation. We used the 14-item HLS to assess HL, and the main outcomes were handgrip strength and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score. The study included 167 cardiac rehabilitation patients with a mean age of 70.5 ± 12.8 years, and the ratio of males was 74%. Among them, 90 patients (53.9%) had low HL and scored significantly lower in both handgrip strength and SPPB. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that HL was a determinant factor (ß = 0.118, p = 0.04) for handgrip strength. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed the cutoff value of the 14-item HLS for screening for low handgrip strength was 47.0 points, and the area under the curve was 0.73. This study showed that HL was significantly associated with handgrip strength and SPPB in cardiac rehabilitation patients and suggests the possibility of early screening for low HL to improve physical function in cardiac rehabilitation patients with low HL.

Health Literacy Is Associated with Activities of Daily Living of Patients Participating in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Multicenter Clinical Study.

The activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with cardiac disease tend to decline. A previous study revealed that ADL relates to physical and cognitive functions associated with health literacy (HL). However, the relationship between HL and ADL is not well documented. This study aimed to clarify this relationship among patients participating in cardiac rehabilitation. This multicenter study, the Kobe-Cardiac Rehabilitation project for people around the World (K-CREW), included patients who participated in cardiac rehabilitation from October 2020 to December 2021. Patients with probable dementia and difficulty walking alone were excluded. We used the 14-item Health Literacy Scale (HLS-14) to assess HL and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) to assess ADL at discharge. Patients were divided by their HLS-14 score into the low HL group (<50 points) or the high HL group (≥50 points). We analyzed the relationship between the HLS-14 and FIM scores. We investigated 268 cardiac rehabilitation patients (median age, 71.0 years; male ratio, 76.9%). Low HL patients accounted for 51.1% of all patients and had significantly lower motor and cognitive FIM scores. Functional HL related better to the FIM scores (r = 0.28-0.36) than did other HL subclasses. Multiple regression analysis identified HLS-14 as an explanatory variable (p = 0.002) for the total FIM score. Patients with low HL had significantly lower ADL than those with high HL. These findings underscore the importance of considering HL in cardiac rehabilitation.

Relationship between physical function at discharge and hospital meal intake in elderly patients with heart failure.

The relationship between low physical function (LPF) at discharge and food intake percentage (FIP) during hospitalization is unclear. We aimed to clarify the relationship between LPF at discharge and FIP and the change in nutritional status during hospitalization in elderly patients with heart failure (HF), and determine cutoff values for FIP and change in nutritional status during hospitalization. We included 431 consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 years who were hospitalized for HF and underwent cardiac rehabilitation (CR) from 2017 to 2019. Physical function at discharge was classified into two groups according to the Short Performance Physical Battery (SPPB): low physical function (LPF) (SPPB ≤ 9) and high physical function (HPF) (SPPB > 9). We compared background, clinical parameters, pre-hospital walking level, CR progress, nutritional factors during hospitalization including FIP of the main dish and side dish, and changes in nutritional status using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (ΔGNRI) at admission and discharge. Multiple logistic regression analysis was also performed. The final analysis included 213 patients (age, 81.6 years) divided into the LPF (n = 136) and HPF groups (n = 77). The LPF group showed low FIP and a high ΔGNRI value. Multivariate analysis showed FIP main dish, ΔGNRI, worsening renal function, pre-hospital walking level, and days to start of walking to be factors influencing LPF at discharge. Respective cutoff values for FIP main dish and ΔGNRI predicting LPF at discharge were 82.2% and 4.24. FIP main dish during hospitalization and ΔGNRI were associated with LPF at discharge.

Older phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation patients engaged in gardening maintained physical function during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study aimed to clarify the effects of gardening on hemodynamic response, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise, and body weight in patients in whom phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation (CR) was interrupted due to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Among 76 outpatients participating in consecutive phase 2 CR in both periods from March to April and June to July 2020, which were before and after CR interruption, respectively, at Sanda City Hospital were enrolled. The inclusion criterion was outpatients whose CR was interrupted due to COVID-19. Patients under the age of 65 were excluded. We compared the data of hemodynamic response and RPE during exercise on the last day before interruption and the first day after interruption when aerobic exercise was performed at the same exercise intensity in the gardener group and the non-gardener group. Forty-one patients were enrolled in the final analysis. After CR interruption, the gardener group did not show any significant difference in all items, whereas the non-gardener group experienced significant increase in HR (Peak) (p = 0.004) and worsening of the Borg scale scores for both dyspnea and lower extremity fatigue (p = 0.039 and p = 0.009, respectively). Older phase 2 CR patients engaged in gardening did not show any deterioration in hemodynamic response or RPE during exercise, despite CR interruption and refraining from going outside. Gardening may be recommended as one of the activities that can maintain or improve physical function in older phase 2 CR patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury on activities of daily living at discharge in elderly cardiac surgery patients.

Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is a critical complication associated with mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to clarify the impact of CSA-AKI on activities of daily living (ADL) at discharge in elderly cardiac surgery patients. We included 122 cardiac patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery, valve surgery, or combined surgery by mid-line incision followed by postoperative cardiac rehabilitation (CR) from March 2015 to May 2020. CSA-AKI was based on KDIGO criteria. The index of ADL was the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). We compared background factors, clinical parameters, activity level before hospitalization, CR progress, and FIM in patients with or without CSA-AKI. Multiple regression analysis was performed with FIM at discharge as the dependent variable and items with p < 0.01 in bivariate correlation as independent variables. Ultimately, 122 patients were divided into the non-CSA-AKI group (n = 84) and CSA-AKI group (n = 38). CR progression in the CSA-AKI group was significantly slower and FIM was lower than that in the non-CSA-AKI group. Moreover, even after adjustment for confounding factors, CSA-AKI (ß = -0.18), start day of walking (ß = -0.34), postoperative atrial fibrillation (ß = -0.15), and activity level before hospitalization (ß = -0.37) were predictive factors of ADL decline at discharge (adjusted R2 = 0.52). CSA-AKI of elderly cardiac surgery patients was a predictive factor of ADL decline at discharge.

Relationship of end-tidal oxygen partial pressure to the determinants of anaerobic threshold in post-myocardial infarction patients.

The anaerobic threshold (AT), obtained during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), is an important prognostic measure and can be used to develop an exercise prescription in patients after a myocardial infarction (post-MI). The purpose of this study was to examine the central and peripheral determinants of AT in post-MI patients end-tidal oxygen partial pressure (PETO2) measures. We performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on 148 consecutively enrolled post-MI patients to determine PETO2 measured at the AT (AT PETO2) and ΔPETO2 (difference between resting PETO2 and AT PETO2). We subsequently investigated the relationship between these measures of PETO2 and the individual AT for each patient. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that AT PETO2 and ΔPETO2 were independently and significantly associated with the AT (ß = -0.344, p < 0.001 and ß = 0.228, p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, the independent factors of AT PETO2 were left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.005), resting ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (p = 0.002), and resting dead-space gas volume to tidal volume ratio (p < 0.001). However, the independent factors for ΔPETO2 were history of diabetes (p = 0.047), estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.001), and resting systolic blood pressure (p = 0.017). These findings suggested that AT PETO2 was associated with central determinants; whereas, and ΔPETO2 was associated with peripheral determinants, The AT PETO2 and ΔPETO2 provide variable insight regarding the cause of exercise intolerance and can be used to determine appropriate therapies.

Impact of worsening renal function on peak oxygen uptake in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

AIM: Worsening renal function (WRF) induced by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality. Peak oxygen uptake may contribute to prognosis in AMI patients with WRF, however, the impact of WRF on peak oxygen uptake is unclear. METHODS: Among 154 patients with AMI who underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention and participated in phase II cardiac rehabilitation, those who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing were consecutively enrolled. WRF was defined as a ≥20% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR [ml/min/1.73 m2 ]) from admission to that at cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The association of WRF with peak oxygen uptake was evaluated by multivariate regression analysis. The non-WRF group was divided into two subgroups according to eGFR <60/≥60 at cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and eGFR at cardiopulmonary exercise testing and peak oxygen uptake of all three groups were compared. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were enrolled in the final analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that WRF was associated with peak oxygen uptake (p = .003). Comparing the non-WRF group with eGFR at cardiopulmonary exercise testing <60 and the WRF group, although eGFR at cardiopulmonary exercise testing was similar (p = 1.000), peak oxygen uptake in the WRF group was significantly lower (p = .026). CONCLUSION: WRF, not eGFR at cardiopulmonary exercise testing was significantly associated with peak oxygen uptake in patients with AMI. This result suggests that when considering the relationship between renal function and peak oxygen uptake, WRF must be taken into account.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation patients in Japan.

This study aimed to clarify the effects of the interruption of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and refraining from going outside due to the COVID-19 pandemic on hemodynamic response and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise including differences by age in phase 2 CR outpatients. Among 76 outpatients participating in consecutive phase 2 CR in both periods from March to April and June to July 2020, which were before and after CR interruption, respectively, at Sanda City Hospital were enrolled. The inclusion criterion was outpatients whose CR was interrupted due to COVID-19. We compared the data of hemodynamic response and RPE during exercise on the last day before interruption and the first day after interruption when aerobic exercise was performed at the same exercise intensity in the < 75 years group and ≥ 75 years group. Fifty-three patients were enrolled in the final analysis. Post-CR interruption, peak heart rate increased significantly (p = 0.009) in the < 75 years group, whereas in the ≥ 75 years group, weight and body mass index decreased significantly (p = 0.009, 0.011, respectively) and Borg scale scores for both dyspnea and lower extremities fatigue worsened significantly (both, p < 0.001). CR interruption and refraining from going outside due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected the hemodynamic response, RPE during exercise and body weight in phase 2 CR outpatients. In particular, patients aged ≥ 75 years appeared to be placed at an increased risk of frailty.

Worsening renal function during hospitalization in elderly patients with heart failure: an independent factor of activities of daily living decline.

This study aimed to clarify the effects of worsening renal function (WRF) during hospitalization on activities of daily living (ADL) at discharge of elderly heart failure (HF) patients. We included 323 consecutive patients hospitalized for HF who were prescribed phase I cardiac rehabilitation (CR) from November 2017 to April 2019. WRF was defined as a relative increase from baseline in serum creatinine of 25% or that in serum creatinine ≥ 0.3 mg/dL during hospitalization. The indices of ADL and physical function were the functional independence measure (FIM), short physical performance battery (SPPB) and 10-m comfortable gait speed as assessed at discharge. We compared background factors, clinical parameters, walking level before hospitalization, physical function, and FIM in two groups. Multiple regression analysis was performed with FIM at discharge as the dependent variable and items with P < 0.05 in bivariate correlation as independent variables. Ultimately, 160 patients were included and divided into the WRF group (n = 72) and non-WRF group (n = 88). FIM, SPPB, and 10-m comfortable walking speed were significantly lower in the WRF group. Moreover, even after adjustment for confounding factors (age, Hb, eGFR, CKD, GNRI, start day of standing), eGFR on admission (ß = 0.12), WRF (ß = - 6.42) and walking level before hospitalization (ß = - 10.00) were independent factors of ADL decline at discharge (adjusted R2 = 0.46). WRF during hospitalization of elderly HF patients was a factor affecting ADL decline at discharge along with walking level before hospitalization and renal function at admission.

Factors delaying the progress of early rehabilitation of elderly Japanese patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Although intervention with early cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended for elderly patients treated for acute heart failure (HF), there are patients in whom the progress of early CR will be delayed. The aim of this study was to clarify factors related to the progress of early CR. METHODS: We enrolled 180 Japanese inpatients aged ≥ 65 years with HF in the present retrospective cohort study. We set a short-term goal of 30 m of walking at 1 week after the start of early CR. We divided the patients into two groups according to whether this goal was achieved (Achievement group, n = 124) or not (Non-achievement group, n = 56) and compared patients' characteristics and clinical parameters. RESULTS: There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the groups for age, length of hospital stay, Functional Independence Measure at discharge, walking level before hospitalization, rate of co-existence of diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, orthopedic disease, use of diuretics, creatinine, Prognostic Nutritional Index, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that walking level before hospitalization (odds ratio [OR]: 3.144, p = 0.0001) and eGFR (OR: 0.971, p = 0.009) were factors related to the inability to achieve the short-term goal. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that walking level before hospitalization and renal function on admission are factors related to delayed progress in early CR of elderly Japanese patients with HF.

Increased Heart Rate during Walk Test Predicts Chronic-Phase Worsening of Renal Function in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Normal Kidney Function.

Chronic-phase worsening renal function (WRF) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been associated with poor prognosis. However, there is no consensus on either the method of prevention or the cause. The aim of this study was to determine factors predictive of chronic-phase WRF from the viewpoint of circulatory dynamics response to exercise during hospitalization of AMI patients without renal dysfunction on admission. We studied 186 consecutively AMI patients who underwent the 200-m walk test. Chronic-phase WRF was defined as a 20% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline to 8-10 months after AMI onset. Heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure recorded during the 200-m walk test were evaluated as circulatory dynamics responses. In total, 94 patients were enrolled. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that ΔHR (peak-rest) associated significantly with ΔeGFR (ß = 0.427, p = 0.018). The receiver operating characteristic curve of ΔHR to predict chronic-phase WRF showed an area under the curve of 0.77, with a cut-off value of 22.0 bpm having a 95% sensitivity and 55% specificity. Among circulatory dynamics responses during exercise in the acute phase after AMI, ΔHR was an independent predictor of chronic-phase WRF.