Pulmonary functional assessment: longitudinal study after treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis

Even when treated adequately, pulmonary tuberculosis can lead to pulmonary sequelae. Patients treated for PTB between 2012 and 2016 answered a standardized questionnaire and underwent chest radiography and spirometry, measurement of absolute pulmonary volume, Diffusing Capacity for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO) and the 6-min walk test (6MWT) on two occasions: within the first year after the end of treatment (follow-up 1), and one and two years after follow-up 1 (follow-up 2). A total of 55 patients they underwent spirometry, 23 (41.82%) had obstructive ventilatory disorder (OVD) and eight (14.5%) had moderate OVD. In total, 29 patients underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and 24 patients underwent the 6MWT on two occasions. The functional changes after PTB treatment appear not to have varied between one and two years of follow-up. There was a correlation between low FEV1 and low DLCO (p<0.001); low DLCO and low 6MWT (p<0.001) and radiographic abnormalities and low FEV1 (p=0.033). The most frequently observed change in spirometry was found in patients with OVD

Pre-Transplant Aerobic Capacity and Prolonged Hospitalization After Liver Transplantation

Introduction: Patients with end stage liver disease (ESLD) referred for liver transplantation (LT) are forwarded to pulmonary evaluation before being operated. ESLD is associated with muscle wasting, reduced exercise tolerance and aerobic capacity. Objectives: We assessed the association between aerobic capacity (AC), liver disease severity and postoperative LT outcomes in a series of LT candidates in a university affiliated hospital in Brazil. Methods: Pre-LT oxygen uptake at peak (pre-VO2peak), liver disease severity, and early pos-LT outcomes such as length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, <5 and ≥5 days and hospitalization, <20 and ≥20 days and postoperative mortality were compared. Pre-VO2peak was measured through the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Severity of liver disease was estimated by the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) categorization into MELD < 18 and MELD ≥ 18 groups. Student's t-test was used to compare these groups. A logistic regression model was built to verify the effect of those variables on the length of ICU stay, length of hospitalization and postoperative mortality. Results: A total of 47 patients were include in analysis. Pre-VO2peak was similar to that of healthy sedentary individuals (75 ± 18%) and worse in the MELD ≥ 18 group as compared to the MELD < 18 group (19.51 ± 7.87 vs 25.21 ± 8.76 mL/kg/min, respectively; p = 0.048). According to the multivariate analysis, only a lower pre-VO2peak (<20.09 ± 4.83 mL/kg/min) was associated to a greater length of hospitalization (p = 0.01). Conclusions: In LT candidates, a reduced pre-VO2peak may predict a higher risk of greater pos-LT length of hospitalization. The length of ICU stay and postoperative mortality were not associated with variables studied. This finding should be evaluated in other studies before making specific recommendations about a routine use of CPET in LT candidates

Six-minute walk distance and survival time in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the cut-off point for the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) that indicates lower survival time in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in Brazil. Methods: This was retrospective study carried out in two referral centers for IPF. The 6MWT was performed twice, considering the highest value of the 6MWD. Various cut-off points were estimated, in absolute values and in percentage of predicted values, using ROC curves, the Kaplan-Meier method, and data from other studies. Results: The sample comprised 70 patients with IPF. The mean age was 71.9 ± 6.4 years, and 50 patients (71.4%) were male. The mean FVC was 76.6 ± 18.2% of predicted value. The mean SpO2 at rest before and after 6MWT were 93.8 ± 2.5% and 85.3 ± 6.5%, respectively. The median survival time was 44 months (95% CI: 37-51 months). The mean 6MWD was 381 ± 115 m (79.2 ± 24.0% of predicted). After the analyses, the best cut-off points for estimating survival were 6MWD < 330 m and < 70% of predicted. The median survival time of patients with a 6MWD < 330 m was 24 months (95% CI: 3-45 months), whereas that of those with a 6MWD ≥ 330 m was 59 months (95% CI: 41-77 months; p = 0.009). Similarly, the median survival times of those with a 6MWD < 70% and ≥ 70% of predicted, respectively, were 24 months (95% CI: 13-35 months) and 59 months (95% CI: 38-80 months; p = 0.013). Cox multivariate regression models including age, sex, smoking status, SpO2 at the end of the 6MWT, and FVC% showed that 6MWD remained significantly associated with survival (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Values of 6MWD < 330 m and < 70% of predicted value were associated with lower survival time in IPF patients in Brazil

Complicações pulmonares não infecciosas após transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas Non-infectious pulmonary complications after the hematoppoietic stem cell trasplantation

As complicações pulmonares constituem importante causa de morbidade e mortalidade após o transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas (TCTH) ocorrendo em cerca de 30 a 60% dos receptores. O avanço na profilaxia e tratamento de complicações infecciosas tem aumentado de forma significativa a parcela de complicações pulmonares não infecciosas. O diagnóstico e o tratamento precoce destas complicações podem mudar o prognóstico dos receptores de transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas. O objectivo deste estudo é rever as principais complicações não infecciosas associadas ao TCTH desde a realização do primeiro transplante de medula óssea em 1957. Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura utilizando-se a estratégia PICO para a construção das perguntas. Os descritores transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas, complicações pulmonares não infecciosas, revisão sistemática, em português e seus correspondentes em inglês, foram utilizados para acesso às seguintes bases de dados: MEDLINE, EBM, EMBASE, COCRANE LIBRARY, LILACS e SciELO. Nesta revisão foram identificados 263 trabalhos. Destes, 30 foram seleccionados para serem analisados na íntegra. As complicações pulmonares não infecciosas mais frequentemente descritas foram: bronquiolite obliterante, bronquiolite obliterante com pneumonia em organização, edema pulmonar, síndroma da pneumonia idiopática, síndroma da toxicidade pulmonar por droga, hemorragia alveolar difusa, síndroma do enxerto e trombo citolítico pulmonar.Pulmonary complications are important cause of mortality and morbidity after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, in 30% to 60% of the patients. Improvements in prophylaxis and treatment of infectious complications have been increasing the rate of non-infectious complications. Early diagnosis and treatment of those complications can significantly change the evolution of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation receptors. The objective of this study is to review the most frequent non-infection complications associated to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation since the first bone marrow transplantation performed in 1957. A systematic literature review was performed, using the PICO strategy to ask the questions. The descriptors hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, non-infectious pulmonary complications, systematic review, in portuguese and their english correspondents, were used to access the following databases: MEDLINE, EBM, Embase, Cocrane Library, LILACS and SciELO. In this review, 263 studies were identified, from which 31 were selected for full analyzis. The non-infection pulmonary complications most frequently found were: bronchiolitis obliterans, bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, pulmonary edema, idiopathic pneumonia syndrome, delayed pulmonary toxicity syndrome, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, engrafment syndrome and pulmonary cytolitic thrombi

Complicações pulmonares não infecciosas após transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas

Resumo: As complicações pulmonares constituem importante causa de morbidade e mortalidade após o transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas (TCTH) ocorrendo em cerca de 30 a 60% dos receptores. O avanço na profilaxia e tratamento de complicações infecciosas tem aumentado de forma significativa a parcela de complicações pulmonares não infecciosas. O diagnóstico e o tratamento precoce destas complicações podem mudar o prognóstico dos receptores de transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas. O objectivo deste estudo é rever as principais complicações não infecciosas associadas ao TCTH desde a realização do primeiro transplante de medula óssea em 1957.Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura utilizando-se a estratégia PICO para a construção das perguntas. Os descritores transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas, complicações pulmonares não infecciosas, revisão sistemática, em português e seus correspondentes em inglês, foram utilizados para acesso às seguintes bases de dados: MEDLINE, EBM, EMBASE, COCRANE LIBRARY, LILACS e SciELO. Nesta revisão foram identificados 263 trabalhos. Destes, 30 foram seleccionados para serem analisados na íntegra. As complicações pulmonares não infecciosas mais frequentemente descritas foram: bronquiolite obliterante, bronquiolite obliterante com pneumonia em organização, edema pulmonar, síndroma da pneumonia idiopática, síndroma da toxicidade pulmonar por droga, hemorragia alveolar difusa, síndroma do enxerto e trombo citolítico pulmonar. Abstract: Pulmonary complications are important cause of mortality and morbidity after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, in 30% to 60% of the patients. Improvements in prophylaxis and treatment of infectious complications have been increasing the rate of non-infectious complications. Early diagnosis and treatment of those complications can significantly change the evolution of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation receptors.The objective of this study is to review the most frequent non-infection complications associated to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation since the first bone marrow transplantation performed in 1957.A systematic literature review was performed, using the PICO strategy to ask the questions. The descriptors hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, non-infectious pulmonary complications, systematic review, in portuguese and their english correspondents, were used to access the following databases: MEDLINE, EBM, Embase, Cocrane Library, LILACS and SciELO. In this review, 263 studies were identified, from which 31 were selected for full analyzis.The non-infection pulmonary complications most frequently found were: bronchiolitis obliterans, bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, pulmonary edema, idiopathic pneumonia syndrome, delayed pulmonary toxicity syndrome, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, engrafment syndrome and pulmonary cytolitic thrombi. Palavras-chave: Transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas, complicações pulmonares não infecciosas, revisão sistemática, Key-words: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, non-infectious pulmonary complications, systematic revie

Environmental influence on physical disability: a systematic review of the literature

<p></p><p>Abstract People with physical disabilities may, in interaction with facilitators and barriers, modify their participation in society. The environment, in the panorama of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), plays a relevant role in health and in the expression of functioning. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of environmental factors on physical disability, based on the theoretical framework of the ICF. A systematic review of the literature was performed based on the recommendations of the following documents: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Statement (STROBE). The studies selected confirmed the theoretical precepts of the ICF. The interference of the physical and social environment, in general, might be attributed to different clinical conditions, especially in neurology, both in quantitative and qualitative studies. Methodological limitations were observed that may be obstacles to consolidating some guidelines, which should encourage further research on the subject with judicious methods, validated instruments and carefully selected samples.</p><p></p

Six-minute walk test and respiratory muscle strength in patients with uncontrolled severe asthma: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate respiratory muscle strength and six-minute walk test (6MWT) variables in patients with uncontrolled severe asthma (UCSA). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving UCSA patients followed at a university hospital. The patients underwent 6MWT, spirometry, and measurements of respiratory muscle strength, as well as completing the Asthma Control Test (ACT). The Mann-Whitney test was used in order to analyze 6MWT variables, whereas the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine whether there was an association between the use of oral corticosteroids and respiratory muscle strength. RESULTS: We included 25 patients. Mean FEV1 was 58.8 ± 21.8% of predicted, and mean ACT score was 14.0 ± 3.9 points. No significant difference was found between the median six-minute walk distance recorded for the UCSA patients and that predicted for healthy Brazilians (512 m and 534 m, respectively; p = 0.14). During the 6MWT, there was no significant drop in SpO2. Mean MIP and MEP were normal (72.9 ± 15.2% and 67.6 ± 22.2%, respectively). Comparing the patients treated with at least four courses of oral corticosteroids per year and those treated with three or fewer, we found no significant differences in MIP (p = 0.15) or MEP (p = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that UCSA patients are similar to normal subjects in terms of 6MWT variables and respiratory muscle strength. The use of oral corticosteroids has no apparent impact on respiratory muscle strength