Cardiac rehabilitation availability and delivery in Brazil: a comparison to other upper middle-income countries.

BACKGROUND: Brazil has insufficient cardiac rehabilitation capacity, yet density and regional variation in unmet need is unknown. Moreover, South America has CR guidelines, but whether delivery conforms has not been described. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish: (1) cardiac rehabilitation volumes and density, and (2) the nature of programmes, and (3) compare these by: (a) Brazilian region and (b) to other upper middle-income countries (upper-MICs). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a survey was administered to cardiac rehabilitation programmes globally. Cardiac associations were engaged to facilitate programme identification. Density was computed using Global Burden of Disease study ischaemic heart disease incidence estimates. Results were compared to data from the 29 upper-MICs with cardiac rehabilitation (N=249 programmes). RESULTS: Cardiac rehabilitation was available in all Brazilian regions, with 30/75 programmes initiating a survey (40.0% programme response rate). There was only one cardiac rehabilitation spot for every 99 ischaemic heart disease patient. Most programmes were funded by government/hospital sources (n=16, 53.3%), but in 11 programmes (36.7%) patients depended on private health insurance. Guideline-indicated conditions were accepted in ≥70% of programmes. Programmes had a team of 3.8±1.9 staff (versus 5.9±2.8 in other upper-MICs, p<0.05), offering 4.0±1.6/10 core components (versus 6.0±1.5 in other upper-MICs, p<0.01; more tobacco cessation and return-to-work counselling needed in particular) over 44.5 sessions/patient (Q25-75=29-65) vs. 32 sessions/patient (Q25-75=15-40) in other upper-MICs (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Brazilian cardiac rehabilitation capacity must be augmented, but where available, services are consistent across regions, but differ from other upper-MICs in terms of staff size and core components delivered.

Effects of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation on functional capacity in a middle-income country: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the growing epidemic of cardiovascular diseases in middle-income countries, there is insufficient evidence about cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in these countries. Thus, the effects of comprehensive CR on functional capacity and risk factors were investigated in Brazil, to test the hypothesis that it results in better outcomes than exercise-only or no CR. METHODS: Single-blinded, randomised controlled trial with three parallel arms: comprehensive CR (exercise+education) versus exercise-only CR versus wait-list control. Eligible coronary patients were randomised in blocks of four with 1:1:1 concealed allocation. Participants randomised to exercise-only CR received 36 exercise classes; comprehensive CR group also received 24 educational sessions. The primary outcome was incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) distance; secondary outcomes were cardiovascular risk factors. All outcomes were assessed at baseline and 6 months later. Analysis of covariance was performed on the basis of intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol. RESULTS: 115 (88.5%) patients were randomised; 93 (80.9%) were retained. There were improvements in ISWT distance from pretest to post-test with comprehensive (from 358.4±132.6 to 464.8±121.6 m; mean change=106.4; p<0.001) and exercise-only (from 391.5±118.8 to 488.1±106.3 m; mean change=96.5, p<0.001) CR, with significantly greater functional capacity with comprehensive CR versus control (ITT: mean difference=75.6±30.7 m, 95% CI 1.4 to 150.2). There were also reductions in systolic blood pressure with comprehensive CR (ITT: reduction of 6.2±17.8 mm Hg, p=0.04). There were no significant differences for other outcomes. CONCLUSION: Results showed clinically significant improvements in functional capacity and blood pressure with CR, and significantly greater functional capacity with comprehensive CR compared with usual care. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02575976; Results.

The Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation on Mortality and Morbidity in Women: A META-ANALYSIS ATTEMPT.

PURPOSE: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is associated with significant reductions in mortality and morbidity, but few women are included in trials. Therefore, a meta-analysis of the effects of CR in women is warranted. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials from recent systematic reviews that included women attending comprehensive CR and reporting the outcomes of mortality and morbidity (hospitalization, myocardial infarction, bypass surgery, percutaneous coronary intervention) were considered for inclusion. An updated search of the literature was performed from the end date of the last search, based on the Cochrane strategy. Authors were contacted to provide results on women where none were reported. RESULTS: On the basis of 2 recent systematic reviews, 80 trials were identified. Fifty (62.5%) were excluded, most commonly due to lack of inclusion of women (n = 18; 22.5%). One trial was identified through the search update. Of 31 potential trials meeting inclusion criteria, 1 reported results on women and many were old, and hence data by sex were no longer available. Ultimately, data for women were available in 2 trials. Therefore, it was deemed inappropriate to undertake this meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This review corroborates the dearth of data on CR in women despite the fact that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. Given the totality of evidence, including reductions in mortality and morbidity in nonrandomized studies, and evidence of benefit for other important outcomes such as functional capacity and quality of life, women should continue to be referred to CR.

Health literacy and coronary artery disease: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Identify health literacy (HL) screening instruments available to CAD patients; describe the prevalence of low HL; explore the predictors of low HL; and, identify the association between HL, health behaviors, and outcomes among these patients. METHODS: A literature search of electronic databases was conducted for published articles from database inception to February 2017. Eligible articles included the assessment of HL in CAD patients. Health behaviors and outcomes included diet, exercise, smoking, medication use, hospital readmission, knowledge, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and psychosocial indicators. RESULTS: Overall, ten articles were included, of which two were RCTs, and seven were considered "good" quality. The most used screening instruments were REALM and TOFHLA. The average prevalence of low HL was 30.5%. Low HL participants were more likely to be older, male, from a non-white ethnic group, have many CVD comorbidities, lower educational level, disadvantaged socioeconomic position, and less likely to be employed. Low HL was consistently associated with hospital readmissions, low HRQoL, higher anxiety and lower social support. CONCLUSION: The literature on HL in CAD patients is very limited. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare providers should start adopting strategies that can potentially mitigate the impact of low HL in the care of CAD patients.

Maximal respiratory pressures of healthy children: comparison between obtained and predicted values.

PURPOSE: To compare maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (PImax and PEmax, respectively) obtained in Brazilian children who are healthy with reference and predicted values from previous studies. METHODS: Respiratory muscle strength of 144 children (63 boys), aged 7 to 11 years, was assessed. A digital manovacuometer was used to measure PImax and PEmax from residual volume and total lung capacity, respectively. Children were assessed in the sitting position while wearing a nose clip. RESULTS: Mean values of PImax for boys and girls were 81.6 ± 20.2 and 66.1 ± 19.5 cmH2O, respectively. Mean values of PEmax in boys and girls were 95.6 ± 21.1 and 78.9 ± 19.7 cmH2O, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Published reference values demonstrated a wide diversity across age groups studied, and published equations were not successful in predicting maximal respiratory pressures; thus, the assessment of respiratory muscle strength of children should consider the minimization of ethnic and methodological differences.

[Pulmonary function of children with acute leukemia in maintenance phase of chemotherapy]. / Função pulmonar de crianças com leucemia aguda na fase de manutenção da quimioterapia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the pulmonary function of children with acute leukemia. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational analytical study that enrolled 34 children divided into groups A (17 with acute leukemia in the maintenance phase of chemotherapy) and B (17 healthy children). The groups were matched for sex, age and height. Spirometry was measured using a spirometer Microloop Viasys(®) in accordance with American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society guidelines. Maximal respiratory pressures were measured with an MVD300 digital manometer (Globalmed(®)). Maximal inspiratory pressures and maximal expiratory pressures were measured from residual volume and total lung capacity, respectively. RESULTS: Group A showed a significant decrease in maximal inspiratory pressures when compared to group B. No significant difference was found between the spirometric values of the two groups, nor was there any difference between maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure values in group A compared to the lower limit values proposed as reference. CONCLUSION: Children with acute leukemia, myeloid or lymphoid, during the maintenance phase of chemotherapy exhibited unchanged spirometric variables and maximal expiratory pressure; However, there was a decrease in inspiratory muscle strength.

Pulmonary function of children with acute leukemia in maintenance phase of chemotherapy / Função pulmonar de crianças com leucemia aguda na fase de manutenção da quimioterapia

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the pulmonary function of children with acute leukemia. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational analytical study that enrolled 34 children divided into groups A (17 with acute leukemia in the maintenance phase of chemotherapy) and B (17 healthy children). The groups were matched for sex, age and height. Spirometry was measured using a spirometer Microloop Viasys(r) in accordance with American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society guidelines. Maximal respiratory pressures were measured with an MVD300 digital manometer (Globalmed(r)). Maximal inspiratory pressures and maximal expiratory pressures were measured from residual volume and total lung capacity, respectively. RESULTS: Group A showed a significant decrease in maximal inspiratory pressures when compared to group B. No significant difference was found between the spirometric values of the two groups, nor was there any difference between maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure values in group A compared to the lower limit values proposed as reference. CONCLUSION: Children with acute leukemia, myeloid or lymphoid, during the maintenance phase of chemotherapy exhibited unchanged spirometric variables and maximal expiratory pressure; However, there was a decrease in inspiratory muscle strength...

OBJETIVO: O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a função pulmonar de crianças com leucemia aguda. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo observacional do tipo analítico transversal com 34 crianças, divididas nos grupos A (17 crianças com leucemia aguda na fase de manutenção do tratamento quimioterápico) e B (17 crianças saudáveis). Os grupos foram pareados em relação ao sexo, idade e altura. A espirometria foi mensurada utilizando um espirômetro Microloop Viasys(r), de acordo com as recomendações da American Thoracic Society e European Respiratory Society. As pressões respiratórias máximas foram mensuradas utilizando um manovacuômetro digital MVD300 (Globalmed(r)). As pressões inspiratória máxima e expiratória máxima foram mensuradas a partir do volume residual e da capacidade pulmonar total, respectivamente. RESULTADOS: O grupo A apresentou diminuição significativa da pressão inspiratória máxima quando comparado ao grupo B. Não foram observadas diferenças entre os dados espirométricos dos dois grupos avaliados, bem como entre os valores de pressão inspiratória máxima e pressão expiratória máxima do grupo A com os limites inferiores propostos como referência. CONCLUSÃO: As crianças com leucemia aguda, linfoide ou mieloide não apresentam mudança das variáveis espirométricas e da pressão expiratória máxima durante o período de manutenção do tratamento quimioterápico; no entanto, há uma diminuição da pressão inspiratória máxima...

Respiratory muscle strength of Brazilian adolescents: obtained and predicted values

OBJECTIVES: To compare the obtained values for maximal respiratory pressures of a sample of Brazilian adolescents with the values predicted by Wilson et al. and Domènech-Clar et al. METHODS: 156 adolescents (84 boys) aged between 12 and 17 years were assessed. Maximal respiratory pressures were assessed by a digital manometer with the adolescents in the seated position and wearing a nose clip. Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures were performed from residual volume and total lung capacity, respectively. Comparison of the values of maximal respiratory pressures obtained in this study with those predicted by the equations proposed by Wilson et al. and Domenèch-Clar et al., was performed by the paired Student's t test. To verify the association between these values, the Pearson's correlation test was used. RESULTS: Mean maximal inspiratory pressure was 74,66 ± 22,95 cm H2O and 103,52 ± 25,67 cm H2O for girls and boys, respectively. Mean maximal expiratory pressure was 86,23 ± 25,92 cm H2O and 120,08 ± 27,37 cm H2O for girls and boys, respectively. The values obtained by this study did not differ and also did not significantly correlate with those predicted by the equations proposed by Wilson et al., e Domènech-Claret al. CONCLUSIONS: The equations proposed by Wilson et al. and Domènech-Clar et al. were not successful in predicting the values for maximal respiratory pressures in the population studied, indicating the necessity of using in clinical practice reference values from a healthy population of the same ethnicity...(AU)

OBJETIVOS: Comparar os valores encontrados para as pressões respiratórias máximas de uma amostra de adolescentes brasileiros com os valores preditos por Wilson et al e Domènech-Clar et al. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 156 adolescentes (84 meninos) entre 12 e 17 anos. As pressões respiratórias máximas foram avaliadas por meio de um manovacuômetro digital com os adolescentes sentados e utilizando um clipe nasal. As avaliações das pressões inspiratória e expiratória máximas foram realizadas a partir do volume residual e da capacidade pulmonar total, respectivamente. A comparação dos valores das pressões respiratórias máximas obtidos no atual estudo com os preditos pelas equações propostas por Wilson et al e Domènech-Clar et al, foi realizada pelo teste t de Student pareado. Para verificar a associação entre estes valores, foi utilizado o teste de correlação de Pearson. RESULTADOS: A média da pressão inspiratória máxima foi de 74,66 ± 22,95 cm H2O e de 103,52 ± 25,67 cm H2O para meninas e meninos, respectivamente. A média da pressão expiratória máxima foi de 86,23 ± 25,92 cm H2O e de 120,08 ± 27,37 cm H2O para meninas e meninos, respectivamente. Os valores obtidos não diferiram e também não se correlacionaram significativamente com os preditos através das equações propostas por Wilson et al., e Domènech-Clar et al. CONCLUSÕES: As equações propostas por Wilson et al. e Domènech-Clar et al., não foram capazes de predizer os valores das pressões respiratórias máximas na população estudada, indicando a necessidade de se usar na prática clínica valores de referência advindos de uma população saudável de mesma etnia...(AU)

Respiratory muscle strength of Brazilian adolescents: obtained and predicted values

OBJECTIVES: To compare the obtained values for maximal respiratory pressures of a sample of Brazilian adolescents with the values predicted by Wilson et al. and Domènech-Clar et al. METHODS: 156 adolescents (84 boys) aged between 12 and 17 years were assessed. Maximal respiratory pressures were assessed by a digital manometer with the adolescents in the seated position and wearing a nose clip. Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures were performed from residual volume and total lung capacity, respectively. Comparison of the values of maximal respiratory pressures obtained in this study with those predicted by the equations proposed by Wilson et al. and Domenèch-Clar et al., was performed by the paired Student's t test. To verify the association between these values, the Pearson's correlation test was used. RESULTS: Mean maximal inspiratory pressure was 74,66 ± 22,95 cm H2O and 103,52 ± 25,67 cm H2O for girls and boys, respectively. Mean maximal expiratory pressure was 86,23 ± 25,92 cm H2O and 120,08 ± 27,37 cm H2O for girls and boys, respectively. The values obtained by this study did not differ and also did not significantly correlate with those predicted by the equations proposed by Wilson et al., e Domènech-Claret al. CONCLUSIONS: The equations proposed by Wilson et al. and Domènech-Clar et al. were not successful in predicting the values for maximal respiratory pressures in the population studied, indicating the necessity of using in clinical practice reference values from a healthy population of the same ethnicity...

OBJETIVOS: Comparar os valores encontrados para as pressões respiratórias máximas de uma amostra de adolescentes brasileiros com os valores preditos por Wilson et al e Domènech-Clar et al. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 156 adolescentes (84 meninos) entre 12 e 17 anos. As pressões respiratórias máximas foram avaliadas por meio de um manovacuômetro digital com os adolescentes sentados e utilizando um clipe nasal. As avaliações das pressões inspiratória e expiratória máximas foram realizadas a partir do volume residual e da capacidade pulmonar total, respectivamente. A comparação dos valores das pressões respiratórias máximas obtidos no atual estudo com os preditos pelas equações propostas por Wilson et al e Domènech-Clar et al, foi realizada pelo teste t de Student pareado. Para verificar a associação entre estes valores, foi utilizado o teste de correlação de Pearson. RESULTADOS: A média da pressão inspiratória máxima foi de 74,66 ± 22,95 cm H2O e de 103,52 ± 25,67 cm H2O para meninas e meninos, respectivamente. A média da pressão expiratória máxima foi de 86,23 ± 25,92 cm H2O e de 120,08 ± 27,37 cm H2O para meninas e meninos, respectivamente. Os valores obtidos não diferiram e também não se correlacionaram significativamente com os preditos através das equações propostas por Wilson et al., e Domènech-Clar et al. CONCLUSÕES: As equações propostas por Wilson et al. e Domènech-Clar et al., não foram capazes de predizer os valores das pressões respiratórias máximas na população estudada, indicando a necessidade de se usar na prática clínica valores de referência advindos de uma população saudável de mesma etnia...

Pressões respiratórias máximas de pico e sustentada na avaliação da força muscular respiratória de crianças / Maximum peak and sustained respiratory pressures in the assessment of respiratory muscular strength in children

Comparar os valores de PImax e PEmax de pico e sustentado em uma população de crianças em idade escolar. MÉTODOS: estudo observacional descritivo de caráter transversal. Foram avaliadas 144 crianças saudáveis de 7 a 11 anos de ambos os gêneros. Foirealizada avaliação antropométrica e mensuraçãodas pressões respiratórias máximas, de pico e sustentada, através do manovacuômetro digital. A criança sorteou qual pressão respiratória iria realizar inicialmente. A medida da PImax foi realizada a partir da capacidade pulmonar total e a medida da PEmax a partir do volume residual. Os dados foram analisados através do programa SPSS 17.0 atribuindose o nível de significância de por cento. RESULTADOS: os achados obtidos foram: 78,53 ± 22,53 cmH2O para PIpico ; 91,11 ± 23,0 cmH2O para a PEpico e 72,95 ± 21,22 cmH2O e 86,25 ± 21,8 cmH2O para PIsust e PEsust, respectivamente. Osvalores obtidos através das pressões respiratórias de pico (PIpico e PEpico) foram significativamente superiores as medidas obtidas para as pressões respiratórias sustentadas (PIsust e PEsust) independentemente do gênero ou idade avaliada (p=0,001). CONCLUSÕES: a utilização de medidas de pico na avaliação das pressões respiratórias máximas, mais facilmente obtidas na prática clínica, pode comprometer a real mensuração da força muscular respiratória em crianças de 7 a 11 anos...

To compare peak and sustained values of PImax and PEmax in a sample of schoolaged children. METHODS: a descriptive observational crosssection analysis. 144 healthy boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 11 were evaluated. An anthropometric assessment was performed and measurements of peak and sustained respiratory muscle strength with the use of a digital manometer. The child chose at random what initial respiratory pressure to hold. The measurement of PImax was taken from total lung capacity and the measurement of PEmax from residual volume. Data was analyzed using SPSS 17.0 and was attributed a significance level of 5 percent. RESULTS: the following findings were produced bythe study: 78.53 ± 22.53 cmH2O for PIpeak and 72.95 ± 21.22 cmH2O and 86.25 ± 21.8 cmH2O for PIsust and PEsust respectively. The values obtained throughpeak respiratory pressures (PIpeak and PEpeak) were significantly higher than the measurements obtained for sustained respiratory pressures (PIsust and PEsust)regardless of gender or age assessment (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: the use of measures in assessing peak maximum respiratory pressure, more easily obtained in clinical practice, may undermine the real measurements of respiratory muscle strength in children between 7 and 11 years of age...