Implementation and maintenance of an enhanced pulmonary rehabilitation program in a single centre: An implementation study.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has major benefits for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). An enhanced PR program was developed with a self-management education intervention. The objective of our study was to evaluate the implementation of the enhanced PR program into a single centre. METHODS: Pre-post implementation study consisted of two evaluation periods: immediately after implementation and 18 months later. Guided by the RE-AIM framework, outcomes included: Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance. RESULTS: Reach: 70-75% of referred patients agreed to a PR program (n = 26). Effectiveness: Clinically important improvements occurred in some patients in functional exercise capacity (64% of the patients achieved clinical important difference in 6-min walk test in the first evaluation period and 44% in the second evaluation period), knowledge, functional status, and self-efficacy in both evaluation periods. Adoption: All healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in PR (n = 8) participated. Implementation: Fidelity for the group education sessions ranged from 76 to 95% (first evaluation) and from 82 to 88% (second evaluation). Maintenance: The program was sustained over 18 months with minor changes. Patients and HCPs were highly satisfied with the program. CONCLUSIONS: The enhanced PR program was accepted by patients and HCPs and was implemented and maintained at a single expert center with good implementation fidelity.

Londrina ADL Protocol (LAP) Performance of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Different Gravity Classes / Desempenho no Londrina ADL Protocol (LAP) de Pacientes com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica em Diferentes Classes de Gravidade

Studies on the association between functionality and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are conflicting. The GOLD ABCD system, as it includes variables ​​by influence such as activities of daily living (ADLs), would be discriminative to verify the magnitude of the disease influence on functionality. The aims of this study are to compare the performance in the ADLs of patients with COPD classified at different levels of severity according to the GOLD ABCD system, as well as to verify the association among these variables. Participants performed the Londrina ADL Protocol (LAP) to assess ADLs, as well as: lung function, functional exercise capacity and clinical history. LAP time was compared among the GOLD-A (n = 13), GOLD-B (n = 18) and GOLD-C + D (n = 14) groups by the Kruskal-Wallis test. χ2 test and V Cramer were used for analysis. The level of statistical significance adopted was P<0.05. For this study, 45 COPD patients completed the assessments (22 men; 65±8 years; FEV1: 51±15% predicted, 6MWT: 520±25m). Overall LAP runtime was 32[275-354] seconds (96[86-106]% predicted). When grouped together, the LAP time was 330[276-348]sec, 318[272-365]sec and 318[282-386]sec in the GOLD-A, B and C+D groups, respectively (P=0.78). There was no association between performance on the LAP and classification by the GOLD ABCD (P=0.24 and VCramer=0.27). It is possible to conclude that the performance in the ADLs of patients with COPD did not differ among the different levels of the GOLD ABCD. Other factors can interfere with performance in the LAP, due to the need for further studies. IAU)

Estudos sobre associação entre funcionalidade e gravidade da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC), apresentam resultados conflitantes. O sistema GOLD ABCD, por incluir variáveis conhecidas por influenciar as atividades de vida diária (AVDs), seria discriminativo para verificar a magnitude da influência da doença sobre a funcionalidade. Os objetivos foram comparar o desempenho nas AVDs de pacientes com DPOC classificados em diferentes níveis de gravidade de acordo com o sistema GOLD ABCD, bem como verificar a associação entre estas variáveis. Os participantes realizaram o Londrina ADL Protocol (LAP) para avaliar as AVDs, assim como: função pulmonar, capacidade funcional de exercício e histórico clínico. O tempo do LAP foi comparado entre os grupos GOLD-A (n=13), GOLD-B (n=18) e GOLD-C+D (n=14) pelo teste de Kruskal-Wallis. Teste χ2 e V Cramer foram utilizados para analisar associações. O nível de significância estatística adotado foi P<0,05. Para esse estudo, 45 pacientes com DPOC completaram as avaliações (22 homens; 65±8 anos; VEF1: 51±15%predito, TC6min: 520±25m). O tempo de execução do LAP, no geral, foi de 321 [275-354]seg (96 [86-106]%predito). Quando agrupados, o tempo do LAP foi de 330 [276-348]seg, 318 [272-365]seg e 318 [282-386]seg nos grupos GOLD-A, B e C+D, respectivamente (P=0,78). Não houve associação entre o desempenho no LAP e a classificação pelo GOLD ABCD (P=0,24 e V Cramer=0,27). Portanto, concluiu-se que o desempenho nas AVDs de pacientes com DPOC não diferiu entre os diferentes níveis do GOLD ABCD. Outros fatores podem interferir no desempenho no LAP, apontando para a necessidade de novos estudos. (AU)

Energy expenditure per minute in different activities and body positions and its association with the classification as physically active or inactive in daily life in individuals with COPD.

Objective: To describe and compare energy expenditure (EE)/minute walking and in different body postures in individuals with COPD; and to investigate if EE/minute walking is a predictor of their classification as physically active or inactive. Methods: Physical activity (PA) in daily life was objectively assessed using two PA monitors for 7 days and data were analyzed on a minute-by-minute basis. Predominant minutes were separated into walking, standing, sitting, and reclined, and EE/minute (a reflection of PA intensity) was then calculated in each of these four activities and postures. Participants were classified as active and inactive according to the criteria proposed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Results: 43 individuals were evaluated (65±8 years; FEV1 50±14% predicted). A binary logistic regression model yielded that, regardless of the time spent walking/day, EE/minute walking was a significant predictor of the classification as physically active (OR=18.2 [2 - 165]; p=0.01), together with BMI (OR=0.68 [0.5 - 0.9]; p=0.008) (model: Chi-square = 22.431, p< 0.05; R2 [Nagelkerke] = 0.556). In the active group, significantly higher EE/minute was observed for walking and standing in comparison both to sitting and reclined. However, in the inactive group, there were significant differences in EE/minute only when comparing walking versus reclined and standing versus reclined. Conclusion: In individuals, with COPD, EE/minute walking is a significant predictor of being classified as physically active, independently of the time spent walking/day. Each additional kilocalorie/minute spent walking increases in 18 times the chances to be classified as physically active in daily life.

Métodos Não Farmacológicos para o Manejo da Dor em Oncologia Pediátrica: Evidências da Literatura / Non-pharmacological Methods for Pain Management in Pediatric Oncology: Evidences in Literature / Métodos no Farmacológicos para el Tratamiento del Dolor en Oncología Pediátrica: Evidencia de la Literatura

Introdução: A dor em crianças com doenças malignas relaciona-se à própria doença ou aos procedimentos diagnóstico-terapêuticos. Independentemente da causa, a criança deve ter a sua dor adequadamente tratada. Acredita-se que o controle adequado da dor ocorra em 70% a 90% dos casos, quando se empregam terapias específicas, incluindo-se a combinação de analgésicos e intervenções não farmacológicas. Objetivo: Identificar na literatura especializada métodos não farmacológicos atuais para o manejo da dor em oncologia pediátrica. Método: Revisão integrativa da literatura, com artigos selecionados entre os anos de 2008 e 2018, nas bases de dados Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), PubMed, Web of Science e Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Analisaram-se 11 artigos, selecionados com base nas recomendações do Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).Resultados: Três categorias sintetizaram os principais resultados, a saber: dor em oncologia pediátrica e instrumentos de avaliação; benefícios das terapias complementares para o manejo da dor oncológica pediátrica; e efeitos adversos das terapias complementares. Conclusão: Considerando-se a dor como um sintoma debilitante para a população pediátrica em tratamento oncológico, é necessário que as avaliações feitas pelos profissionais da saúde sejam fidedignas às suas características para o manejo adequado. O manejo da dor não se limita apenas às terapias farmacológicas, algumas intervenções levantadas podem complementar a ação dos medicamentos para pacientes, com vistas a minimizar a dor e o sofrimento vivenciado por esses pacientes, além de evitar a tolerância e a sobrecarga do organismo, decorrente do uso excessivo de analgésicos.

Introduction: Pain in children with malignant diseases is related to the disease itself or the diagnostic-therapeutic procedures. Regardless of the cause, the child must have its pain adequately treated. It is believed that adequate pain control occurs in 70% to 90% of the cases, when specific therapies for each patient are employed, including the combination of analgesics and non-pharmacological interventions. Objective: To identify the current non-pharmacological methods for pain management in pediatric oncology in the specialized literature. Method: Integrative literature review, with articles selected between 2008 and 2018 in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), PubMed, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases. 11 articles selected according to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) were fully analyzed Results: Three categories summarized the main findings: pain in pediatric oncology and the assessment instruments, benefits of complementary therapies for the management of pediatric cancer pain, and adverse effects of complementary therapies. Conclusion: Considering pain as a debilitating symptom for the pediatric population undergoing cancer treatment, evaluations made by health professionals must be trustworthy to its characteristics for proper management. Pain management is not limited to pharmacological therapies, some interventions proposed can complement the action of medications to minimize the pain and suffering experienced by these patients, in addition to avoiding the body's tolerance and overload, due to the excessive use of painkillers.

Introducción: El dolor en niños con enfermedades malignas está relacionado con la enfermedad o con los procedimientos de diagnóstico y terapéuticos. Independientemente de la causa, el niño debe tener su dolor adecuadamente tratada. El control adecuado del dolor ocurre en 70% a 90% de los casos, cuando se emplean terapias específicas, incluida la combinación de analgésicos e intervenciones no farmacológicas. Objetivo:Identificar los métodos no farmacológicos actuales para el manejo del dolor en oncología pediátrica en la literatura especializada. Método: Revisión integral de la literatura, con artículos seleccionados entre los años 2008 y 2018, en las bases de datos de la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS), PubMed, Web of Science e Índice Acumulativo de Literatura de Enfermería y Salud Aliada (CINAHL). Se analizaron 11 artículos selecionados según las recomendaciones del Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Resultados: Tres categorías resumieron los principales hallazgos de los estudios seleccionados: dolor en oncología pediátrica y instrumentos de evaluación, beneficios de las terapias complementarias para el tratamiento del dolor pediátrico por cáncer y los efectos adversos de las terapias complementarias. Conclusión: El dolor és un síntoma debilitante para la población pediátrica sometida a tratamiento oncológico, las evaluaciones realizadas por profesionales de la salud deben ser lo confiables para evaluar sus características para el manejo adecuado. El tratamiento del dolor no se limita a las terapias farmacológicas, algunas intervenciones pueden complementar la acción de los medicamentos, para minimizar el dolor y el sufrimiento experimentado por estos pacientes, además de evitar la tolerancia y la sobrecarga del cuerpo, como resultado del uso excesivo de analgésicos.

Are the Effects of High-Intensity Exercise Training Different in Patients with COPD Versus COPD+Asthma Overlap?

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate whether patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presenting asthma overlap (ACO) benefit similarly in comparison to patients with only COPD after a 12-week high-intensity exercise training (ET) program. METHODS: Subjects with a diagnosis of COPD alone or ACO were evaluated and compared before and after a high-intensity ET program composed of walking and cycling plus strengthening exercises of the upper and lower limbs (3 days/week, 3 months, 36 sessions). Assessments included spirometry, bioelectrical impedance, 6-min walk test (6MWT), London Chest Activity of Daily Living Scale (LCADL), Hospital anxiety and depression Scale, modified Medical Research Council Scale (mMRC), Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and respiratory and peripheral muscle strength [manovacuometry and 1-repetition maximum test (quadriceps femoris, biceps and triceps brachialis), respectively]. ACO was defined according to Sin et al. (Eur Respir J 48(3):664-673, 2016). RESULTS: The sample was composed of 74 subjects (57% male, age 67 ± 8 years, BMI 26 (21-32) kg/m2, FEV1 47 ± 17%predicted), and 12 (16%) of them were classified as presenting ACO. Both groups improved pulmonary function, 6MWT, peripheral and inspiratory muscle strength, LCADL, and SGRQ after ET (p < 0.005 for all). There were no significant interactions between ACO and COPD on ET effects (p > 0.05 for all). Likewise, there was no difference in the proportion of patients achieving the minimum clinical important difference for 6MWT and mMRC. CONCLUSION: High-intensity exercise training generates similar benefits in patients with COPD regardless of whether presenting asthma overlap or not.

Functional Status of Patients with COPD Assessed by London Chest Activity of Daily Living Scale: Gender Association and Validity of a Cutoff Point.

PURPOSE: Whether the difference in the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on the functional status of men and women stems from clinical distinctions or to the measuring instrument used is unclear. Like most instruments for assessing functional limitation in COPD, the interpretation of the results of the London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL) scale is limited because a lack of a valid cutoff point to this scale. For that, this study sought to compare the functional status between men and women with COPD; and propose a cutoff point for LCADL capable of discriminating the prognosis of these individuals. METHODS: A sample of 138 subjects with moderate-severe COPD was evaluated by the LCADL. The percentage of the individual maximum score was used to obtain a cutoff point capable of discriminating patients with the worse prognosis according to the BODE Index. The cutoff point was also tested in an independent sample (n = 70). RESULTS: Regarding the total score, domestic and leisure domains of the LCADL, men had better scores than women (P ≤ 0.01). The cutoff point found was 37% (area under the curve = 0.70, 95% confidence interval = 0.60-0.80, sensitivity = 0.55 and specificity = 0.74). Individuals who scored ≥ 37% had a worse prognosis and level of physical activities of daily living than those who scored below (P ≤ 0.02). CONCLUSION: When evaluated by the LCADL, men and women with COPD present difference in the functional status. The established cutoff point (37%) adequately discriminates individuals regarding the prognosis, contributing to improve the interpretation capacity of the LCADL.

A breath of fresh air: Validity and reliability of a Portuguese version of the Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile for patients with COPD.

AIM: To provide a Portuguese version of the Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile (MDP), investigating its validity and reliability in Brazilian patients with COPD. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study for translation and linguist validation of the Portuguese MDP version for patients with COPD. The process occurred according to the protocol of Mapi Research Trust, Lyon, France. Three scores of MDP were used for the analysis: the immediate unpleasantness of dyspnea (A1); the "immediate perception domain" (S) (sum of A1 plus the sensory descriptors) and the "emotional response domain" (A2) (sum of the emotional descriptors). The questionnaires COPD assessment Test (CAT), Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) and Medical Research Council scale (MRC) were used as anchors to investigate MDP's validity. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's alpha. Test-retest reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and concurrent validity was assessed with Spearman correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Thirty patients with moderate-severe COPD were studied for MDP's validation analysis (43% male, 63±8years, body mass index [BMI] 27±6Kg/m2, forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1] 48±15%predicted, six-minute walking test [6MWT] 464±84m and 84±16%predicted), whereas 10 patients were excluded from the test-retest reliability analysis due to missing data, resulting in a sample of 20 subjects for this purpose (50% male, 62±8years, BMI 27±6Kg/m2, FEV1 48±15%predicted, 6MWT 452±93m and 82±19%predicted). Both samples were similar regarding general characteristics (P>0,05 for all variables). MDP presented strong correlations, i.e., ICC intra-rater: A1: 0.77 (0.48-0.90), S: 0.78 (0.52-0.91), and A2: 0.85 (0.66-0.94), with high internal consistency (Cronbach's α 0.86, 0.88 and 0.92 respectively); and ICC inter-rater: A1: 0.74 (0.46-0.89), S: 0.75 (0.48-0.89) and A2: 0.91 (0.78-0.96) with Cronbach's α 0.85, 0.86 and 0.95 respectively. CONCLUSION: The Portuguese version of the MDP is the first valid and reliable instrument to assess dyspnea multidimensionally in Portuguese-speaking patients with COPD.

Cluster analysis identifying patients with COPD at high risk of 2-year all-cause mortality.

The objective of the article is to identify clusters of patients with COPD according to factors known to be associated with mortality and to verify whether clusters' assignment is associated with 2-year mortality. Patients ( n = 141) were evaluated by bioelectrical impedance, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), one-repetition maximum test of the quadriceps femoris (1RMQF) and BODE index (body mass index; airflow obstruction (spirometry); dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council scale); and exercise capacity (6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance). Vital status was retrospectively checked 2 years after the assessments, and time to death was quantified for those deceased in this period. K-means analysis identified two clusters. Patients in cluster one (CL I, n = 69) presented an impaired clinical status in comparison to cluster two (CL II, n = 72). Receiver operating characteristics curves identified the cutoffs discriminating patients composing CL I: forced expiratory volume in the first second <44%pred; 6MWT <479 m; 1RMQF <19 kg; and maximum inspiratory pressures <73 cmH2O (area under the curve range 0.750-0.857). During the follow-up, 19 (13%) patients deceased, 15 in CL I (22%) and 4 in CL II (0.06%) ( p = 0.005). CL I was associated with a higher risk of 2-year mortality (hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 4.3 (1.40-12.9), p = 0.01). A cluster of patients with COPD highly associated with 2-year mortality was statistically identified, and cutoffs to identify these subjects were provided.

Multitask protocols to evaluate activities of daily living performance in people with COPD: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) present symptoms such as dyspnea and fatigue, which hinder their performance in activities of daily living (ADL). A few multitask protocols have been developed to assess ADL performance in this population, although measurement properties of such protocols were not yet systematically reviewed. Areas covered: Studies were included if an assessment of the ability to perform ADL was conducted in people with COPD using a (objective) performance-based protocol. The search was conducted in the following databases: Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PEDro, CINAHL and LILACS. Furthermore, hand searches were conducted. Expert commentary: Up to this moment, only three protocols had measurement properties described: the Glittre ADL Test, the Monitored Functional Task Evaluation and the Londrina ADL Protocol were shown to be valid and reliable whereas only the Glittre ADL Test was shown to be responsive to change after pulmonary rehabilitation. These protocols can be used in laboratory settings and clinical practice to evaluate ADL performance in people with COPD, although there is need for more in-depth information on their validity, reliability and especially responsiveness due to the growing interest in the accurate assessment of ADL performance in this population.

Londrina Activities of Daily Living Protocol: Reproducibility, Validity, and Reference Values in Physically Independent Adults Age 50 Years and Older.

BACKGROUND: It is important to assess activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults due to impairment of independence and quality of life. However, there is no objective and standardized protocol available to assess this outcome. Thus, the aim of this study was to verify the reproducibility and validity of a new protocol for ADL assessment applied in physically independent adults age ≥50 y, the Londrina ADL protocol, and to establish an equation to predict reference values of the Londrina ADL protocol. METHODS: Ninety-three physically independent adults age ≥50 y had their performance in ADL evaluated by registering the time spent to conclude the protocol. The protocol was performed twice. The 6-min walk test, which assesses functional exercise capacity, was used as a validation criterion. A multiple linear regression model was applied, including anthropometric and demographic variables that correlated with the protocol, to establish an equation to predict the protocol's reference values. RESULTS: In general, the protocol was reproducible (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.91). The average difference between the first and second protocol was 5.3%. The new protocol was valid to assess ADL performance in the studied subjects, presenting a moderate correlation with the 6-min walk test (r = -0.53). The time spent to perform the protocol correlated significantly with age (r = 0.45) but neither with weight (r = -0.17) nor with height (r = -0.17). A model of stepwise multiple regression including sex and age showed that age was the only determinant factor to the Londrina ADL protocol, explaining 21% (P < .001) of its variability. The derived reference equation was: Londrina ADL protocolpred (s) = 135.618 + (3.102 × age [y]). CONCLUSIONS: The Londrina ADL protocol was reproducible and valid in physically independent adults age ≥50 y. A reference equation for the protocol was established including only age as an independent variable (r2 = 0.21), allowing a better interpretation of the protocol's results in clinical practice.

GOLD B-C-D groups or GOLD II-III-IV grades: Which one better reflects the functionality of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

The aim of this article is to investigate which global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) classification (B-C-D or II-III-IV) better reflects the functionality of patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ninety patients with COPD were classified according to the GOLD B-C-D and II-III-IV classifications. Functionality was assessed by different outcomes: 6-min walk test (6MWT), activities of daily living (ADL) (London Chest ADL Scale), and daily life activity/inactivity variables assessed by activity monitoring (SenseWear armband, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA). The 6MWT was the only outcome significantly associated with both the GOLD classifications. Good functionality as assessed by the 6MWT was observed in 80%, 69%, and 43.5% (GOLD B, C, and D, respectively) and 81%, 59%, and 29% (GOLD II, III, and IV, respectively) of the patients. Association (V Cramer's) and correlation (Spearman) coefficients of 6MWT with GOLD B-C-D and II-III-IV were V = 0.30, r = -0.35, and V = 0.37, r = -0.25, respectively. Neither GOLD classification showed V or r ≥ 0.30 with any other functionality outcome. Both the GOLD B-C-D and II-III-IV classifications do not reflect well COPD patients' functionality. Despite low association and correlation coefficients in general, both GOLD classifications were better associated with functional exercise capacity (6MWT) than with subjectively assessed ADL and objectively assessed outcomes of physical activity/inactivity.