Estimated Oxygen Consumption with the Abbreviated Method and Its Association with Vaccination and PCR Tests for COVID-19 from Socio-Demographic, Anthropometric, Lifestyle, and Morbidity Outcomes in Chilean Adults.

COVID-19 causes cardiovascular and lung problems that can be aggravated by confinement, but the practice of physical activity (PA) could lessen these effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of maximum oxygen consumption (V˙O2max) with vaccination and PCR tests in apparently healthy Chilean adults. An observational and cross-sectional study was performed, in which 557 people from south-central Chile participated, who answered an online questionnaire on the control of COVID-19, demographic data, lifestyles, and diagnosis of non-communicable diseases. V˙O2max was estimated with an abbreviated method. With respect to the unvaccinated, those who received the first (OR:0.52 [CI:0.29;0.95], p = 0.019) and second vaccine (OR:0.33 [CI:0.18;0.59], p = 0.0001) were less likely to have an increased V˙O2max. The first vaccine was inversely associated with V˙O2max (mL/kg/min) (ß:−1.68 [CI:−3.06; −0.3], p = 0.017), adjusted for BMI (ß:−1.37 [CI:−2.71; −0.03], p = 0.044) and by demographic variables (ß:−1.82 [CI:−3.18; −0.46], p = 0.009); similarly occur for the second vaccine (ß: between −2.54 and −3.44, p < 0.001) on models with and without adjustment. Having taken a PCR test was not significantly associated with V˙O2max (mL/kg/min). It is concluded that vaccination significantly decreased V˙O2max, although it did not indicate cause and effect. There is little evidence of this interaction, although the results suggest an association, since V˙ O2max could prevent and attenuate the contagion symptoms and effects.

Resultados funcionales de un programa de prehabilitación en cirugía electiva de cáncer colorrectal / Functional results of a prehabilitation program in elective colorectal cancer surgery

Resumen Introducción: El cáncer colorrectal (CCR) es el segundo tipo más frecuente de cáncer en el mundo. La cirugía es la intervención terapéutica más común y se asocia con la reducción de 20-40% en la capacidad fisiológica y funcional. Un programa de prehabilitación podría mejorar la condición funcional basal de los pacientes previo a la cirugía. Objetivo: Describir los resultados funcionales de un programa de prehabilitación en personas adultas candidatos a cirugía electiva de CCR. Materiales y Método: Estudio descriptivo, longitudinal y retrospectivo. Se registraron los antecedentes sociodemográficos, clínicos y las variables funcionales como capacidad cardiorrespiratoria, fuerza de presión manual, fatiga, independencia en actividades de la vida diaria (AVDs) y equilibrio dinámico de 50 personas que ingresaron a un programa de prehabilitación entre mayo 2019 y febrero de 2020. Los datos fueron analizados con estadística descriptiva y pruebas de diferencia entre tiempo de evaluación, previo y posterior a la prehabilitación. Resultados: Posterior al programa de prehabilitación, los pacientes mejoraron la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria, fatiga, equilibrio dinámico y fuerza prensil (p 0,05; tamaño de efecto: 0,01). Conclusión: Un programa estructurado de prehabilitación para pacientes candidatos a cirugía electiva de CCR basado en ejercicios y educación, logró cambios significativos en los resultados funcionales en un período de 3 a 4 semanas previo a la cirugía.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most frequent type of cancer in the world. Surgery is the most common therapeutic intervention and is associated with a 20-40% reduction in physiological and functional capacity. A prehabilitation program could improve the baseline functional condition of patients prior to surgery. Aim: To describe the functional results of a prehabilitation program in adults who will undergo elective surgery CCR. Materials and Method: Descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study. The sociodemographic, clinical and functional variables such as cardiorespiratory capacity, manual pressure force, fatigue, independence in activities of daily living and dynamic balance of 50 people who entered a pre-rehabilitation program between may 2019 and february 2020 were compiled. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and difference tests between evaluation time, before and after prehabilitation. Results: After the prehabilitation program, the patients improved cardiorespiratory capacity, fatigue, dynamic balance and grip strength (p 0.05; effect size: 0.01). Conclusión: A structured prehabilitation program for patients who are candidates for elective colorectal cancer surgery based on exercises and education, achieved significant changes in functional results in a period of 3 to 4 weeks prior to surgery.

Axillary web syndrome among Chilean women with breast cancer: incidence and possible predisposing factors.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women worldwide. The main treatment for BC is surgery, which involves an axillary procedure that associates with the development of axillary web syndrome (AWS). The incidence of AWS among Chilean women with BC and its possible predisposing factors are currently unknown. Thus, we aimed to (1) determine the incidence of AWS among Chilean women with BC after surgery and (2) identify possible predisposing factors. METHODS: Within 90 days post-surgery, patients were assessed for AWS, i.e., palpable or visible axillary cords in the axillary region extending down from the mid-axilla to the ipsilateral arm. We then computed the odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (OR [95% CI]) for having AWS considering the following predisposing factors: age, body mass index (BMI), number of lymph nodes removed, axillary procedure, days from surgery to the physical therapy assessment, hospital for the surgery, type of breast surgery, and neoadyuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: AWS was present in 49 out of 107 patients (45.8%). Younger age and lower BMI appeared as the sole predisposing factors for AWS (age, 0.95 [0.91-0.99]; BMI, normal weight 1.00, overweight 0.35 [0.11-1.12], obesity 0.28 [0.08-0.97]). CONCLUSION: The incidence of AWS among Chilean women with BC was 45.8%. Our study also confirms data from previous reports showing that younger age and low BMI are associated with the development of AWS.