Aerobic exercise attenuates dysautonomia, cardiac diastolic dysfunctions, and hemodynamic overload in female mice with atherosclerosis.

Cardiovascular risk increases during the aging process in women with atherosclerosis and exercise training is a strategy for management of cardiac risks in at-risk populations. Therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate: (1) the influence of the aging process on cardiac function, hemodynamics, cardiovascular autonomic modulation, and baroreflex sensitivity in females with atherosclerosis at the onset of reproductive senescence; and (2) the impact of exercise training on age-related dysfunctions in this model. Eighteen Apolipoprotein-E knockout female mice were divided equally into young (Y), middle-aged (MA), and trained middle-aged (MAT). Echocardiographic exams were performed to verify cardiac morphology and function. Cannulation for direct recording of blood pressure and heart rate, and analysis of cardiovascular autonomic modulation, baroreflex sensitivity were performed. The MA had lower cardiac diastolic function (E'/A' ratio), and higher aortic thickness, heart rate and mean arterial pressure, lower heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity compared with Y. There were no differences between Y and MAT in these parameters. Positive correlation coefficients were found between aortic wall thickness with hemodynamics data. The aging process causes a series of deleterious effects such as hemodynamic overload and dysautonomia in female with atherosclerosis. Exercise training was effective in mitigating aged-related dysfunctions.

Combined Exercise Training Promotes More Benefits on Cardiovascular Autonomic Modulation in Ovariectomized Rats Than Isolated Aerobic or Resistance Training.

Introduction: Cardiovascular risk increase after ovarian deprivation has been extensively demonstrated by our research group through cardiovascular autonomic analysis. Interventions involving different types of exercises, such as resistance exercises or combined exercises (aerobic and resistance) have been widely recommended to prevent or minimize neuromuscular decline in postmenopausal women, which is aggravated by a sedentary lifestyle. Experimentally, the cardiovascular effects of resistance or combined training, as well as comparison between aerobic, resistance, and combined training, in ovariectomized animals are scarce. Purpose: In this study, we hypothesized that the combination of aerobic and resistance training may be more effective in preventing muscle mass loss, as well as improving cardiovascular autonomic modulation and baroreflex sensitivity, than aerobic or resistance training individually in ovariectomized rats. Animals and Methods: Female rats were divided into 5 groups: sedentary (C); ovariectomized (Ovx); trained ovariectomized submitted to aerobic training (OvxAT); resistance training (OvxRT); combined training (OvxCT). Exercise training lasted 8 weeks, with the combined group alternating between aerobic training and resistance training every other day. At the end of the study, glycemia and insulin tolerance were evaluated. Arterial pressure (AP) was directly recorded. Baroreflex sensitivity was assessed by heart rate response to changes in arterial pressure. Cardiovascular autonomic modulation was evaluated by spectral analysis. Results: Combined training was the only training regime that increased baroreflex sensitivity for tachycardic response and reduced all systolic blood pressure variability parameters. Furthermore, all animals submitted to exercise training on a treadmill (OvxAT and OvxCT) presented lower systolic, diastolic, and mean pressure, as well as improvements in the autonomic modulation for the heart. Conclusion: Combined training showed to be more effective than isolated aerobic and resistance training, mixing the isolated benefits of each modality. It was the only modality able to increase baroreflex sensitivity to tachycardic responses, reduce arterial pressure and all parameters of vascular sympathetic modulation.

Effects of Exercise Intensity on Cardiometabolic Parameters of Ovariectomized Obese Mice.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of continuous-moderate vs. high-intensity interval aerobic training on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters in ovariectomized high-fat-fed mice. C57BL/6 female ovariectomized were divided into four groups (n=8): low-fat-fed sedentary (SLF); high-fat-fed sedentary (SHF); high-fat-fed moderate-intensity continuous trained (MICT-HF); and high-fat-fed high-intensity interval aerobic trained (HIIT-HF). The high-fat diet lasted 10 weeks. Ovariectomy was performed in the fourth week. The exercise training was carried out in the last four weeks of protocol. Fasting glycemia, oral glucose tolerance, arterial pressure, baroreflex sensitivity, and cardiovascular autonomic modulation were evaluated. Moderate-intensity continuous training prevented the increase in arterial pressure and promoted a reduction in HR at rest, associated with an improvement in the sympathovagal balance in MICT-HF vs. SHF. The high-intensity interval training reduced blood glucose and glucose intolerance in HIIT-HF vs. SHF and MICT-HF. In addition, it improved sympathovagal balance in HIIT-HF vs. SHF. Moderate-intensity continuous training was more effective in promoting cardiovascular benefits, while high-intensity interval training was more effective in promoting metabolic benefits.

Effects of pilates on physical-functional performance, quality of life and mood in older adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the effects of pilates on physical-functional aspects and quality of life of older adults. METHODS: We included randomized clinical trials whose participants were older adults, whose intervention was pilates exercises and that used a control group for comparison. The primary outcomes were balance, muscle strength, quality of life. Secondary outcomes were mood, autonomy, and flexibility. The searches were performed in the electronic databases Pubmed, Web of Science, LILACS, Cochrane Library and EMBASE, using terms from MeSH: Aged, elderly, Pilates-Based Exercises, Pilates Training, Pilates, Mat Pilates, Equipment-based Pilates, and synonyms, in May 2020. The meta-analysis, when possible, was performed using the mean and standard deviation values of the groups after the intervention period using the random effects model. RESULTS: The search rendered 1639 studies, of which 28 articles corresponding to 24 ECRs (897 individuals) were included, most of the studies involved a female population. A meta-analysis was performed only in the balance variable, through the Berg Scale (three RCTs), where there were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups (2.06-95% CI: 1.31, 5.44, I2: 91%), and it was evaluated by the TUG (six RCTs), which showed a reduction of 0.92 seconds in the protocol execution (95% CI: 1.67, -0.17, I2: 62%). CONCLUSION: This review demonstrate that the practice of pilates by older adults may have positive effects on some of the outcomes evaluated, these results should be interpreted with caution (methodological heterogeneity and a part present high risk of bias).

Impaired baroreflex sensitivity and increased systolic blood pressure variability in chronic post-ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Acute post-stroke patients present cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction, which manifests as lower heart rate variability and impaired baroreflex sensitivity. However, few studies performed to date have evaluated cardiovascular autonomic function in chronic post-stroke patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiovascular autonomic modulation in chronic post-ischemic stroke patients. METHODS: The seventeen enrolled subjects were divided into a stroke group (SG, n=10, 5±1 years after stroke) and a control group (CG, n=7). Non-invasive curves for blood pressure were continuously recorded (Finometer®) for 15 minutes while the subject was in a supine position. Heart rate variability and blood pressure variability were analyzed in the time and frequency domains. RESULTS: No differences were observed in systolic and diastolic pressure and heart rate between post-stroke patients and healthy individuals. The SG group had lower indexes for heart rate variability in the time domain (standard deviation of normal to normal R-R intervals, SDNN; variance of normal to normal R-R intervals, VarNN; and root mean square differences of successive R-R intervals, RMSSD) and a lower high-frequency band for heart rate variability than was observed in the CG. Systolic blood pressure variability and the low-frequency band for systolic pressure were higher in post-stroke patients, while the alpha index was lower in the SG than in the CG. CONCLUSION: After ischemic stroke, affected patients present chronically reduced heart rate variability, impaired cardiac vagal modulation, increased systolic blood pressure variability and higher sympathetic vascular modulation along with impaired baroreflex sensitivity, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular events, despite adequate blood pressure control.

ACE gene dosage determines additional autonomic dysfunction and increases renal angiotensin II levels in diabetic mice.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate cardiovascular autonomic modulation and angiotensin II (Ang II) activity in diabetic mice that were genetically engineered to harbor two or three copies of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene. METHODS: Diabetic and non-diabetic mice harboring 2 or 3 copies of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene were used in the present study. Animals were divided into 4 groups: diabetic groups with two and three copies of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (2CD and 3CD) and the respective age-matched non-diabetic groups (2C and 3C). Hemodynamic, cardiovascular, and autonomic parameters as well as renal Ang II expression were evaluated. RESULTS: Heart rate was lower in diabetic animals than in non-diabetic animals. Autonomic modulation analysis indicated that the 3CD group showed increased sympathetic modulation and decreased vagal modulation of heart rate variability, eliciting increased cardiac sympathovagal balance, compared with all the other groups. Concurrent diabetes and either angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphism resulted in a significant increase in Ang II expression in the renal cortex. CONCLUSION: Data indicates that a small increase in angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in diabetic animals leads to greater impairment of autonomic function, as demonstrated by increased sympathetic modulation and reduced cardiac vagal modulation along with increased renal expression of Ang II.

Impaired baroreflex sensitivity and increased systolic blood pressure variability in chronic post-ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVES: Acute post-stroke patients present cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction, which manifests as lower heart rate variability and impaired baroreflex sensitivity. However, few studies performed to date have evaluated cardiovascular autonomic function in chronic post-stroke patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiovascular autonomic modulation in chronic post-ischemic stroke patients. METHODS: The seventeen enrolled subjects were divided into a stroke group (SG, n=10, 5±1 years after stroke) and a control group (CG, n=7). Non-invasive curves for blood pressure were continuously recorded (Finometer®) for 15 minutes while the subject was in a supine position. Heart rate variability and blood pressure variability were analyzed in the time and frequency domains. RESULTS: No differences were observed in systolic and diastolic pressure and heart rate between post-stroke patients and healthy individuals. The SG group had lower indexes for heart rate variability in the time domain (standard deviation of normal to normal R-R intervals, SDNN; variance of normal to normal R-R intervals, VarNN; and root mean square differences of successive R-R intervals, RMSSD) and a lower high-frequency band for heart rate variability than was observed in the CG. Systolic blood pressure variability and the low-frequency band for systolic pressure were higher in post-stroke patients, while the alpha index was lower in the SG than in the CG. CONCLUSION: After ischemic stroke, affected patients present chronically reduced heart rate variability, impaired cardiac vagal modulation, increased systolic blood pressure variability and higher sympathetic vascular modulation along with impaired baroreflex sensitivity, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular events, despite adequate blood pressure control.

ACE gene dosage determines additional autonomic dysfunction and increases renal angiotensin II levels in diabetic mice

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate cardiovascular autonomic modulation and angiotensin II (Ang II) activity in diabetic mice that were genetically engineered to harbor two or three copies of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene. METHODS: Diabetic and non-diabetic mice harboring 2 or 3 copies of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene were used in the present study. Animals were divided into 4 groups: diabetic groups with two and three copies of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (2CD and 3CD) and the respective age-matched non-diabetic groups (2C and 3C). Hemodynamic, cardiovascular, and autonomic parameters as well as renal Ang II expression were evaluated. RESULTS: Heart rate was lower in diabetic animals than in non-diabetic animals. Autonomic modulation analysis indicated that the 3CD group showed increased sympathetic modulation and decreased vagal modulation of heart rate variability, eliciting increased cardiac sympathovagal balance, compared with all the other groups. Concurrent diabetes and either angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphism resulted in a significant increase in Ang II expression in the renal cortex. CONCLUSION: Data indicates that a small increase in angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in diabetic animals leads to greater impairment of autonomic function, as demonstrated by increased sympathetic modulation and reduced cardiac vagal modulation along with increased renal expression of Ang II.

Effects of inspiratory muscle exercise in the pulmonary function, autonomic modulation, and hemodynamic variables in older women with metabolic syndrome.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle exercise (IME) on metabolic and hemodynamic parameters, cardiac autonomic modulation and respiratory function of older women with metabolic syndrome (MS). For this, sixteen older women with MS and 12 aged-matched controls participated of the present study. Two days before and 2 days after the main experiment, fasting blood samples (i.e., total cholesterol, triglycerides and blood glucose), cardiac autonomic modulation (i.e., heart rate variability), and respiratory muscle function were obtained and evaluated. The sessions of physical exercise was based on a IME, which was performed during 7 days. Each session of IME was performed during 20 min, at 30% of maximal static inspiratory pressure. In the results, MS group presented higher levels of triglycerides, blood glucose, and systolic blood pressure when compared to control group. IME was not able to change these variables. However, although MS group showed impaired respiratory muscle strength and function, as well as cardiac autonomic modulation, IME was able to improve these parameters. Thus, the data showed that seven days of IME are capable to improve respiratory function and cardiac autonomic modulation of older women with MS. These results indicate that IME can be a profitable therapy to counteracting the clinical markers of MS, once repeated sessions of acute IME can cause chronical alterations on respiratory function and cardiac autonomic modulation.

Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in chronic stroke women is attenuated after submaximal exercise test, as evaluated by linear and nonlinear analysis.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated cardiac autonomic modulation in women with chronic ischemic stroke (at least 4 years post-stroke) at rest and in response to submaximal exercise test. METHODS: Fourteen post-stroke women (S group) and 10 healthy women (C group) participated in this study. Autonomic modulation (using linear and nonlinear analysis), blood pressure and metabolic variables at rest were evaluated immediately after the exercise test and during the recovery period (20 min). All participants underwent submaximal exercise test on cycle ergometer with gas analysis. RESULTS: At rest, the S group displayed higher lactate concentration, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values when compared to C group. Furthermore, the S group had lower heart rate variability (HRV) in time domain (SDNN: S = 30 ± 5 vs. 40 ± 8 ms; rMSSD: S = 14 ± 2 vs. C = 34 ± 3 ms), decreased high frequency band of pulse interval (S = 8.4 ± 2 vs. 33.1 ± 9 %) and 2V pattern of symbolic analysis (S = 17.3 ± 1 vs. 30 ± 3 %) (both indicators of cardiac vagal modulation) when compared to C group. Immediately after exercise, S group presented higher values of lactate, SBP, DBP and double product when compared to C group, as well as decreased heart rate recovery (HRR) measured at the first, second and third minutes. At recovery time, all HRV parameters in time and frequency domains improved in the S group; however, HF band remained lower when compared to C group. CONCLUSIONS: After the exercise test, women with chronic stroke presented reduced heart rate variability, reduced cardiac vagal modulation, as well as reduced HRR, while displayed an improvement of heart rate variability and cardiac vagal modulation when compared to their baseline. These results reinforce the importance of a physically active lifestyle for cardiovascular autonomic disorders observed in chronic stroke women.

Effects of testosterone on lean mass gain in elderly men: systematic review with meta-analysis of controlled and randomized studies.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of steroid anabolic androgenic hormones use on lean mass gain in elderly men through a systematic review with a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. We systematically searched PubMed database until 4th October 2013. We included randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCT) that studied testosterone replacement therapy in men over 60 years of age, with total testosterone levels ≤550 ng/dl, observing gains in weight, lean mass tissue and fat mass as outcome. We excluded duplicated studies, studies which mixed men and women, and studies using weak androgens such as dehydroepiandrosterone or androstenedione. The initial search yielded 2681 articles, of which 26 were selected for full text analysis. In the end, 11 studies were included. However, 3 studies were not included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that mean weight increased (lean mass), ranging from 1.65 (95 % CI, 1.61-1.69) to 6.20 (95 % CI, 5.22-7.18) kg, although it was heterogeneous (I (2) = 98 %). Effect estimate was 3.59 [2.38-4.81]. Androgen therapy decreased fat mass; effect estimate was -1.78 [-2.57, -0.99] that analysis had also a high level of heterogeneity (I (2) = 81 %). The results suggest that testosterone replacement therapy is able to increase muscle mass in elderly men and that is affected by the time that the treatment is carried out and the method of administration of the drug.

Low intensity resistance training improves systolic function and cardiovascular autonomic control in diabetic rats.

AIMS: We evaluated the effects of low intensity resistance training (RT) on left ventricular (LV) function, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and cardiovascular autonomic control of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into (n=8 each group): sedentary control (SC), trained control (TC), sedentary diabetic (SD), and trained diabetic (TD). Trained groups underwent low intensity RT (40%-50% 1 repetition maximum) for 10 weeks. Echocardiographic evaluation, arterial pressure (AP), heart rate (HR), BRS, and autonomic measurements were performed. RESULTS: Diabetes induced an increase in glycemia and a reduction in body weight in diabetics when compared with control animals. Diabetic rats displayed cardiac dysfunction, reduced systolic AP and HR, impaired BRS and autonomic derangement when compared to control rats. RT improved ejection fraction (SD: 68%±1.3% vs. TD: 75%±3.0%) and velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (SD: 0.32±0.02 vs. TD: 0.40±0.01 circ/seg.10(-4)). Trained diabetic rats presented increased AP (+10.2%), HR (+10.4%), and BRS after RT protocol. CONCLUSIONS: Low intensity RT induced an increase in systolic function in diabetic rats. This may be due to positive LV remodeling and BRS improvement, which may have played an important role in the attenuation of hemodynamic impairment and cardiac autonomic neuropathy in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Estresse oxidativo, envelhecimento renal e doença renal crônica terminal / Oxidative stress, renal aging and end-stage renal disease

O mundo está passando por uma transformação demográfica. O número de idosos vem aumentando progressivamente nas últimas décadas, levando a um crescente interesse pelo entendimento do processo de envelhecimento, que é universal, complexo e multifacetado. O estresse oxidativo, uma das teorias biológicas do envelhecimento mais aceita na atualidade, pode estar relacionado à senescência renal. Do ponto de vista do envelhecimento renal, sabe-se que o rim apresenta alterações morfológicas e funcionais com o avançar da idade que podem ser agravadas pela presença de comorbidades. A doença renal crônica terminal vem assumindo grande importância para a saúde pública, visto que a sua incidência e prevalência têm aumentado de forma significativa nas últimas décadas, principalmente na população idosa. Objetiva-se abordar a senescência renal e o desenvolvimento da doença renal crônica terminal e as possíveis relações com a teoria do estresse oxidativo.(AU)

The world is undergoing a demographic change. The number of elderly has increased progressively in the last few decades, leading to a growing interest in understanding the aging process, which is universal, complex and multifaceted. Oxidative stress, one of the currently most accepted biological theories of aging, may be related to renal senescence. From the standpoint of renal aging it is known that the kidney presents morphological alterations and, as people grow older, they may become worse due to the presence of comorbidities. End stage renal disease has become increasingly important in public health, since its incidence and prevalence have grown significantly in the last few decades, especially in the elderly population. The intention of this paper is to discuss renal senescence and the development of end stage renal disease, and its possible relations with the theory of oxidative stress.(AU)

Estresse oxidativo, envelhecimento renal e doença renal crônica terminal / Oxidative stress, renal aging and end-stage renal disease

O mundo está passando por uma transformação demográfica. O número de idosos vem aumentando progressivamente nas últimas décadas, levando a um crescente interesse pelo entendimento do processo de envelhecimento, que é universal, complexo e multifacetado. O estresse oxidativo, uma das teorias biológicas do envelhecimento mais aceita na atualidade, pode estar relacionado à senescência renal. Do ponto de vista do envelhecimento renal, sabe-se que o rim apresenta alterações morfológicas e funcionais com o avançar da idade que podem ser agravadas pela presença de comorbidades. A doença renal crônica terminal vem assumindo grande importância para a saúde pública, visto que a sua incidência e prevalência têm aumentado de forma significativa nas últimas décadas, principalmente na população idosa. Objetiva-se abordar a senescência renal e o desenvolvimento da doença renal crônica terminal e as possíveis relações com a teoria do estresse oxidativo.

The world is undergoing a demographic change. The number of elderly has increased progressively in the last few decades, leading to a growing interest in understanding the aging process, which is universal, complex and multifaceted. Oxidative stress, one of the currently most accepted biological theories of aging, may be related to renal senescence. From the standpoint of renal aging it is known that the kidney presents morphological alterations and, as people grow older, they may become worse due to the presence of comorbidities. End stage renal disease has become increasingly important in public health, since its incidence and prevalence have grown significantly in the last few decades, especially in the elderly population. The intention of this paper is to discuss renal senescence and the development of end stage renal disease, and its possible relations with the theory of oxidative stress.

Função pulmonar após cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdiocom e sem circulação extracorpórea / Pulmonary function following on and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

Objetivos: avaliar e comparar a função pulmonar de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio com e sem o uso de circulação extracorpórea. Métodos: a amostra foi composta por 40 pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio, classificados em dois grupos: com circulação extracorpórea (grupo CCEC ? 20 pacientes) ou sem circulação extracorpórea (grupo SCEC ? 20 pacientes). Registros espirométricos da capacidade vital forçada (CVF) e do volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) foram obtidos no período pré-operatório (considerado basal) e no primeiro, terceiro e quinto dias do período pós-operatório. Resultados: obser-vou-se que no geral os valores de CVF e VEF1 diminuíram no primeiro pós-operatório em relação ao basal (diferença média = 1,8±1,0, p<0,001 e 1,3±1,0, p<0,001, respectivamente), tendo recuperação parcial no terceiro e no quinto pós-operatórios, sem retornar aos valores iniciais (diferença média 1,2±1,1, p<0,001 e 0,9±0,9, p<0,001, respectivamente). Após controle para os valores basais, não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos CCEC e SCEC quanto à CVF e ao VEF1 no quinto dia pós-operatório. Conclusões: a cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio associou-se a um decréscimo significante na função pulmonar em todos os pacientes, havendo recuperação parcial da CVF e do VEF1 no quinto pós-operatório para os dois grupos, porém sem retorno aos valores basais. Não se observou associação estatisticamente significativa entre realização de circulação extracorpórea e função pulmonar no quinto dia pós-operatório.

Aims: To evaluate and compare the pulmonary function of patients submitted to myocardial revascularization surgery, with and without the use of extracorporeal circulation. Methods: The sample comprised 40 patients submitted to myocardial revascularization surgery, classified into two groups, depending on whether extracorporeal circulation was used (wECC ? 20 patients) or not (nECC ? 20 patients). Spirometric recordings of forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) were obtained during the preoperative period (considered baseline) and on the first, third and fifth days postoperatively. Results: In general, the values of FVC and FEV1 diminished on the first day postoperatively compared to the baseline (mean difference = 1.8±1.0, p<0.001 and 1.3±1.0, p<0.001, respectively), with partial recovery on the third and fifth day postoperatively, with no return to the initial values (mean difference = 1.2±1.1, p<0.001 and 0.9±0.9, p<0.001, respectively). After controlling for baseline values, no significant differences were observed between the wECC and nECC groups as to FVC and FEV1 on the 5th day postoperatively. Conclusions: Myocardial revascularization surgery was associated to a significant decrease in pulmonary function in all patients, with partial recovery of FVC and FEV1 on the fifth day postoperatively for all groups, with no return to baseline values. No statistically significant association was found between extracorporeal circulation and pulmonary function on the fifth day postoperatively.

Qualidade de vida de indivíduos com doença renal crônica terminal submetidos à hemodiálise / Quality of life in individuals with end-stage chronic kidney diseaseundergoing hemodialysis

Objetivos: avaliar a qualidade de vida de indivíduos com doença renal crônica terminal submetidos à hemodiálise. Métodos: estudo transversal realizado em pacientes portadores de doença renal crônica terminal, submetidos à hemodiálise no Hospital da Cidade de Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, por três meses ou mais. A qualidade de vida foi avaliada por meio do Questionário Genérico de Qualidade de Vida SF-36. As variáveis categóricas foram descritas como frequência absoluta e relativa e as numéricas como média±desvio padrão ou mediana e amplitude interquartil. Para as análises foram utilizados o coeficiente rho de Spearman e o teste de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: dos 49 indi-víduos incluídos no estudo, 26 (53%) eram do gênero masculino. A média de idade foi de 51,5±14,4 anos. O escore de qualidade de vida teve os seguintes resultados conforme os domínios: limitações por aspectos físicos: mediana 0 (amplitude interquartil: 0-100); estado geral de saúde: mediana 52 (amplitude interquartil 41-100); capacidade funcional: mediana 60 (amplitude interquartil 35-77,5); limitações por aspectos emocionais: mediana 66,6 (amplitude interquartil 0-100); vitalidade: mediana 70 (amplitude interquartil 40-80); dor: mediana 72 (amplitude interquartil 41-100);saúde mental: mediana 72 (amplitude interquartil 42-88); aspectos sociais: mediana 87,5 (amplitude interquartil 50-100). Não houve correlação entre qualidade de vida e as variáveis estudadas, nem diferenças de acordo com o gênero. Conclusões: os pacientes com doença renal crônica terminal submetidos à hemodiálise apresentaram valores reduzidos nos escores de qualidade de vida, principalmente nos domínios estado geral de saúde e limitações por aspectos físicos do SF-36.

Aims: To evaluate the quality of life of end-stage chronic kidney disease individuals who underwent hemodialysis. Methods: A cross-sectional study included individuals with end-stage chronic kidney disease diagnosis, who underwent hemodialysis at Hospital de Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The quality of life was assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study Questionaire 36 - Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Categorical variables were described as absolute and relative frequency and numerical variable as mean ± standard deviation or median and interquartil range. The correlation between age, time of dialysis and the SF-36 domains were analyzed by Spearman?s rho test and Mann-Whitney test. Results: From the 49 individuals, 26 (53%) were male. The mean age was 51.5±14.4 years. The scores for quality of life in the SF-36 scales were: Role-Physical: median 0 (interquartile range 0-100); General Health: median 52 (interquartile range 41-100); Physical Functioning: median 60 (interquartile range 35-77.5); Role-Emotional: median 66.6 (interquartile range 0-100); Vitality: median 70 (interquartile range 40-80); Social Functioning: median 87.5 (interquartile range 50-100); Bodily Pain: median 72 (interquartile range 41-100); and Mental Health: median 72 (interquartile range 42-88). There was no correlation between quality of life and the studied variables, and no differences according to gender. Conclusions: Patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis presented a reduction in the quality of life scores, particularly in the General Health and Role-Physical scales of the SF-36.

Exercícios físicos na doença arterial obstrutiva periférica / Physical exercise in peripheral occlusive arterial disease

A maioria dos pacientes portadores de claudicação intermitente, um aspecto clínico da doença arterial periférica, tem importante limitação nas atividades físicas e redução na qualidade de vida. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão da literatura sobre a intervenção através de exercícios em portadores de doença arterial obstrutiva periférica com claudicação intermitente. Trata-se de uma revisão de artigos científicos consultados nos bancos de dados da BIREME, PubMed e SciELO, através das fontes LILACS e MEDLINE e a partir dos descritores em Ciências da Saúde claudicação intermitente, doenças vasculares periféricas, reabilitação, exercício e terapia por exercício. Concluiu-se que, apesar da variabilidade dos regimes de caminhada identificados na literatura, o treino aeróbio, de uma forma geral, proporciona benefícios a pacientes portadores de doença arterial obstrutiva periférica com claudicação intermitente, principalmente na melhora do desempenho de caminhada, o que pode ter impacto significativo na qualidade de vida desses pacientes.

Most patients with intermittent claudication, a clinical aspect of peripheral arterial disease, have important limitations on physical activity and a reduced quality of life. The purpose of this study was to review literature on exercise intervention for patients with peripheral occlusive arterial disease and intermittent claudication. BIREME, PubMed (MEDLINE), SciELO and LILACS databases were searched for the terms intermittent claudication, peripheral vascular diseases, rehabilitation, exercise, exercise therapy, all of which were taken from the list of Health Science Descriptors (BIREME). It was concluded that, despite the variability of walking regimens identified in the literature, the aerobic training is of general benefit to patients with peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication, mainly improving their walking performance, which can have a significant impact on the quality of life of these patients.