Limited cardiopulmonary capacity in patients with liver cirrhosis when compared to healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVES: The present study compared cardiorespiratory capacity between cirrhotic patients and healthy subjects. METHODS: Nineteen cirrhotic patients and 19 healthy subjects, paired by age and gender, participated in the study. Volunteers performed an incremental cardiopulmonary test with a ramp protocol, a ventilatory and metabolic variables were obtained and analyzed. The recovery was analyzed by calculating the time needed for 50% of oxygen consumption (VO2) recovery to occur as the median between the peak of the exercise and the end of recovery on the VO2 curve (T1/2). The VE/VCO2 slope were performed by the linear regression of ventilation (VE) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) data. RESULTS: During resting condition, cirrhotic patients presented significantly higher levels of VO2 compared to healthy subjects. The VE/ VO2 and VE/ VCO2 values were significantly higher in the control group at the anaerobic threshold and at the peak of the test compared to cirrhotic patients. Time under effort was significantly higher for healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, it is possible to conclude that liver cirrhosis can compromise the patients' quality of life, mainly by inducing metabolic alterations which can impair functional capacity and lead to a sedentary lifestyle.

Limited cardiopulmonary capacity in patients with liver cirrhosis when compared to healthy subjects

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES: The present study compared cardiorespiratory capacity between cirrhotic patients and healthy subjects. METHODS: Nineteen cirrhotic patients and 19 healthy subjects, paired by age and gender, participated in the study. Volunteers performed an incremental cardiopulmonary test with a ramp protocol, a ventilatory and metabolic variables were obtained and analyzed. The recovery was analyzed by calculating the time needed for 50% of oxygen consumption (VO2) recovery to occur as the median between the peak of the exercise and the end of recovery on the VO2 curve (T1/2). The VE/VCO2 slope were performed by the linear regression of ventilation (VE) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) data. RESULTS: During resting condition, cirrhotic patients presented significantly higher levels of VO2 compared to healthy subjects. The VE/ VO2 and VE/ VCO2 values were significantly higher in the control group at the anaerobic threshold and at the peak of the test compared to cirrhotic patients. Time under effort was significantly higher for healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, it is possible to conclude that liver cirrhosis can compromise the patients' quality of life, mainly by inducing metabolic alterations which can impair functional capacity and lead to a sedentary lifestyle.

Características demográficas (sexo e idade) e as atividades básicas e instrumentais de vida diária em adultos e idosos saudáveis / Demographic characteristics (age and sex) and basic and instrumental activities of daily living in adults and elderly healthy

Introdução: A sociedade está envelhecendo, e dentre os comprometimentos advindos do avanço cronológico da idade está a incapacidade funcional. Objetivo: Identificar e analisar as relações entre características demográficas (sexo e idade) e as atividades básicas e instrumentais de Vida Diária em adultos e idosos saudáveis. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo transversal, em 2008, com 75 indivíduos. Para a avaliação das atividades básicas e instrumentais, foram empregados o Índice de Katz e a Escala de Lawton, respectivamente. Resultados: Houve apenas diferença significativa, quando comparadas as atividades instrumentais com o sexo, observando uma menor capacidade do homem em realizar tarefas como arrumar a casa, preparar as refeições e lavar e passar as roupas. Conclusões: Os resultados sugerem que a idade influencia no processo de envelhecimento, que o sexo está relacionado à execução de atividades domésticas e que o estilo de vida adotado pelo indivíduo interfere diretamente na sua qualidade de vida.

Introduction: The society is aging, and among the compromises that come with advancing chronological age, is the occurrence of disability. Objective: To identify and analyze the relationship between demographic characteristics (age and gender) and the basic activities of daily living for healthy adults and seniors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, in 2008, with 75 individuals. For the evaluation of basic and instrumental activities were employed the Katz Index and the Lawton Scale, respectively. Results: There were significant differences only when comparing the instrumental activities with the gender, observing a smaller man?s ability to perform tasks like cleaning the house, preparing meals and washing and ironing clothes. Conclusions: The results suggest that age influences the aging process, sex is related to the performance of household activities and the lifestyle adopted by the individual directly influences its quality of life.