Association between the risk of malnutrition and functional capacity in patients with peripheral arterial disease: A cross-sectional study

Introduction The risk of malnutrition is an important predictor of functional capacity in the elderly population. However, whether malnutrition is associated with functional capacity in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) is poorly known. Purpose To analyse the association between the risk of malnutrition and functional capacity in patients with PAD. Methods This cross-sectional study included 135 patients with PAD of both genders, ≥50 years old, with symptomatic PAD (Rutherford stage I to III) in one or both limbs and with ankle-brachial index ≤0.90. The risk of malnutrition was assessed by the short form of the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form and patients were classified as having normal nutritional status (n = 92) and at risk of malnutrition (n = 43). Functional capacity was objectively assessed using the six-minute walking test (6MWT, absolute maximal distance and relativized and expressed as a percentage of health subjects), short-physical performance battery (SPPB, balance, gait speed and the sit and stand test) and the handgrip test, and subjectively, using the Walking Impairment Questionnaire and Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History. The association between the risk of malnutrition and functional capacity was analysed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression adjustments for gender, age, ankle-brachial index, body mass index, use of statins, coronary arterial disease and stroke. For all statistical analyses, significance was accepted at p<0.05. Results Thirty-two per cent of our patients were classified with a risk of malnutrition. The risk of malnutrition was associated with the absolute 6MWT total distance (OR = 0.994, P = 0.031) relative 6MWT total distance (OR = 0.971, P = 0.038), lowest SPPB total score (OR = 0.682, P = 0.011), sit and stand (OR = 1.173, P = 0.003) and usual 4-meter walk test (OR = 1.757, P = 0.034). Conclusion In patients with PAD, the risk of malnutrition was associated with objective measurements of functional capacity

Impact of obesity on walking capacity and cardiovascular parameters in patients with peripheral artery disease: A cross-sectional study

Background: Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) present a high prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome, as well as diseases related to cardiovascular dysfunction. However, whether obesity influences walking capacity and cardiovascular function in patients with PAD is poorly understood. Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of obesity on walking capacity and cardiovascular parameters in patients with PAD. Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Setting: Patients were recruited from public hospitals of São Paulo. Methods: One-hundred two patients with PAD and symptoms of intermittent claudication were recruited and divided into 2 groups according to their body mass index: normal weight (<25 kg/m2) and overweight/obese (≥25 kg/m2). Patients were submitted to objective (6-minute walk test) and subjective measurements of walking capacity (Walking Impairment Questionnaire). In addition, cardiovascular parameters (office blood pressure, resting heart rate, arterial stiffness, vascular function, and heart rate variability) were obtained. Results: The speed domain of the Walking Impairment Questionnaire was lower in the overweight/obese group compared to the normal weight group (32 ± 20 vs 21 ± 16, respectively, P < .01). Resting heart rate was higher in overweight/obese patients (61 ± 10 vs 70 ± 12, respectively, P < .01). However, no other walking capacity or cardiovascular parameter variables were related to obesity in patients with PAD. Conclusion: Obesity influences resting heart rate and walking speed in patients with PAD

Balance and fear of falling in subjects with Parkinson's disease is improved after exercises with motor complexity

Resistance training with instability (RTI) uses exercises with high motor complexity that impose high postural control and cognitive demands that may be important for improving postural instability and fear of falling in subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we hypothesized that: 1) RTI will be more effective than resistance training (RT) in improving balance (Balance Evaluation Systems Test [BESTest] and overall stability index [Biodex Balance System (R)]) and fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale-International [FES-I] score) of subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD)and 2) changes in BESTest and FES-I after RTI will be associated with changes in cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA] score -previously published) induced by RTI. Thirty-nine subjects with moderate PD were randomly assigned to a nonexercising control, RT, and RTI groups. While RT and RTI groups performed progressive RT twice a week for 12 weeks, the RTI group added progressive unstable devices to increase motor complexity of the resistance exercises. There were significant group x time interactions for BESTest, overall stability index, and FES-I scores (P < 0.05). Only RTI improved BESTest, overall stability index and FES-I scores, and RTI was more effective than RT in improving biomechanical constraints and stability in gait (BESTest sections) at post-training (P < 0.05). There were strong correlations between relative changes in BESTest and MoCA (r= 0.72, P= 0.005), and FES-I and MoCA (r=-0.75, P= 0.003) after RTI. Due to the increased motor complexity in RTI, RTI is recommended for improving balance and fear of falling, which are associated with improvement in cognitive function of PD.FAPESPCAPESCNPqUniv Sao Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Lab Neuromuscular Adaptat Strength Training, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Sch Arts Sci & Humanities, Sao Paulo, BrazilNorthwestern Univ, Dept Phys Therapy & Human Movement Sci, Chicago, IL 60611 USARush Univ, Med Ctr, Dept Neurol Sci, Chicago, IL 60612 USAUniv Sao Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Exercise Hemodynam Lab, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med Sci, Sao Paulo, BrazilSao Paulo State Univ Rio Claro, Posture & Gait Studies Lab, Rio Claro, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Human Motor Syst Lab, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Dept Radiol, LIM 44, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Ctr Psychobiol & Exercise Studies, Dept Psychobiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Ctr Psychobiol & Exercise Studies, Dept Psychobiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2011/042423FAPESP: 2012/03056-4FAPESP: 2013/04970-4CAPES: 3095/2015-00CNPq: 406609/2015-2Web of Scienc

Recurrent spontaneous breast hematoma: report of a case and review of the literature Hematoma espontâneo recorrente de mama: revisão da literatura e relato de caso

BACKGROUND: Breast hematomas are common after traumas, surgeries, or contusions. They are rarely spontaneous, but they can occur spontaneously in patients with hematologic disease or with coagulation disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors report a clinical case of a 48-year-old female with a 27-year history of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria who underwent mammography screening because of a painless palpable moveable node in the upper inner quadrant of the right breast. RESULTS: Mammography showed a partially defined heterogeneous node of 35 mm without microcalcifications in the upper inner quadrant of the right breast which, associated with the clinical features, seemed to be an hematoma. Further mammography and ultrasound after 45 days showed retrocession of the lesion, and another mammography obtained after 60 days was normal. Seventy-five days after the first episode, the patient complained of another node with a skin bruise in the upper outer quadrant of the same breast, which seemed to be a recurrent hematoma. Two months later the mammography obtained was normal. CONCLUSION: Breast hematoma must be thought of as a differential diagnosis for a breast node, regardless of previous trauma or hematologic disorders.<br>OBJETIVO: Os hematomas de mama são comuns após traumatismo, cirurgias ou contusões. Raramente são espontâneos, podendo ocorrer em pacientes com doença hematológica ou outras doenças associadas a distúrbios da coagulação sangüínea. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Os autores relatam o caso de paciente feminina, 48 anos, com diagnóstico e acompanhamento de Hemoglobinúria paroxística noturna há 27 anos, submetida a mamografia por apresentar em consulta de rotina nódulo palpável em quadrante superior interno (QSI ) da mama direita, móvel e indolor. RESULTADOS: A mamografia evidenciou nódulo heterogêneo, de 35 mm, em QSI da mama direita, de contorno parcialmente delimitado, sem microcalcificações, que correlacionado com a história clínica, sugeria o diagnóstico de hematoma. O controle evolutivo com mamografia e ecografia, após 45 dias mostrou substancial regressão da lesão e novo exame após 60 dias foi normal. Decorridos 75 dias do primeiro episódio, a paciente apresentou outro nódulo, agora associado a hematoma cutâneo, em quadrante superior externo da mesma mama, interpretado como novo hematoma. O controle clínico após dois meses do segundo episódio foi normal. CONCLUSÕES: A hipótese de hematoma deve ser considerada no diagnóstico diferencial de nódulo mamário, com ou sem história de trauma ou doença sistêmica associada

Rubus rosaefolius Extract as a Natural Preservative Candidate in Topical Formulations

Even though the synthetic preservatives may offer a high antimicrobial efficacy, they are commonly related to adverse reactions and regarded as having potentially harmful effects caused by chronic consumption. The development of natural preservatives provides a way of reducing the amount of synthetic preservatives normally used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations. In addition, these agents have less toxic effects and represent a possible natural and safer alternative of the preservatives. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the Rubus rosaefolius Smith extract efficiency as a natural preservative in base formulations. Of the extract, 0.2% (w/w) was assayed for its effectiveness of antimicrobial protection in two different base formulations (emulsion and gel). The microbial challenge test was performed following the standard procedures proposed by The United States Pharmacopoeia 33nd, European Pharmacopoeia 6th, Japanese Pharmacopoeia 15th, and the Cosmetics, Toiletries, and Fragrance Association using standardized microorganisms. The results demonstrated that R. rosaefolius extract at the studied concentration reduced the bacterial inocula, satisfying the criterion in all formulations, even though it was not able to present an effective preservative behavior against fungi. Thus, the investigation of new natural substances with preservative properties that could be applied in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products is relevant due to the possibility of substituting or decreasing the concentration of synthetic preservatives, providing a way for the development of safer formulas for the use of consumers