Little is known about the early recovery of functional outcomes in the lung transplant population. This thesis investigated skeletal muscle strength, functional exercise capacity, health-related quality of life and daily physical activity pre- and early post-lung transplantation in a cohort of fifty participants. Significant functional limitations were observed pre-transplant, however levels of physical activity were higher on rehabilitation days as compared to non-rehabilitation days. Post-transplant, improvements in functional exercise capacity and physical activity lagged behind the early improvements in pulmonary function and health-related quality of life. Muscle strength was reduced at hospital discharge compared to pre-transplant levels, but improved to pre-transplant levels by three months post-transplant. In summary, significant functional limitation exists pre-transplant, and lung transplantation leads to significant improvement of functional outcomes; however functional recovery occurs at different time periods and to varying degrees, and does not reach levels of a healthy reference population by three months post-lung transplant.

Objetivos: a) Investigar os efeitos de um programa de reabilitação pulmonar (RP) sobre os sintomas, a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QV) e a capacidade de exercício medida pelo teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6m) e pelo teste de esforço cardiopulmonar (TECP) e b) estudar a associação entre estes efeitos em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC). Pacientes e Métodos: Estudamos 28 pacientes com DPOC moderada a grave, estáveis (idade 63,9±6,8 anos; volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) 0,97±0,28L) antes e depois da RP. As alterações nos desfechos clínicos como o questionário Saint George (Saint George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, SGRQ), a dispneia, o desconforto de membros inferiores (escala de BORG) e a capacidade de exercício com a RP foram examinados. A associação entre as mudanças nos parâmetros fisiológicos do TC6m e do TECP e as demais variáveis foram investigadas. Resultados: Observamos uma melhora significativa em parâmetros fisiológicos após a RP. Houve aumento da distância caminhada no TC6m (366±104 vs 442±78 m, p<0,0001), do consumo de oxigênio (VO2) de pico no TECP (857± 366 vs 1001±360 ml/min, p=0,02) e da carga máxima de trabalho (51±27 vs 79±38 Watts, p<0,0001) com a RP. Também foi observada melhora do desconforto em membros inferiores, da dispneia no final do TC6m (4 – 1,5 Borg, p<0,001) e durante o TECP (5 – 4 Borg, p<0,001), do escore total (56±20 vs 45±18, p<0,001) e dos domínios do SGRQ após a RP. A melhora nos escores de QV com a RP esteve associada com a variação da intensidade da dispneia no exercício durante a caminhada (r=0,43, p=0,025) e não se associou com a variação na capacidade de exercício. Não houve relação entre o incremento da distância percorrida e o aumento do VO2 com a RP. Conclusões: Houve melhora de todos os desfechos estudados com a RP. Apenas a variação da dispneia durante o TC6m se relacionou com as mudança da QV após a reabilitação em pacientes com DPOC. Não houve relação entre a variação da distância caminhada e do VO2 com a RP. Estes resultados sugerem que o TC6m e o TECP podem ter funções complementares na avaliação dos efeitos da RP. / Aims: a) To investigate the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program on the symptoms, health related quality of life (HRQL) and exercise capacity as measured by a six-minute walk test (6MWT) and a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and b) to study the association between these effects in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients and Methods: We studied 28 patients with stable moderate to severe COPD (mean age, 63.9±6.8 years; forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1; 0.97±0.28 L) before and after PR. The changes in HRQL (Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores, SGRQ), dyspnea, lower limb discomfort (Borg scale) and exercise capacity induced by PR were examined. The association between changes in physiological parameters of 6MWT and CPET and the other variables was also investigated. Results: We found an improvement in physiological variables after PR. There was an increase in 6MWT distance (366±104 vs 442±78 m, p<0.0001), peak oxygen uptake (VO2) measured by CPET (857±366 vs 1001±360 ml/min, p=0.02) and maximal work load (51±27 vs 79±38 Watts, p<0.0001). Improvement in leg fatigue and dyspnea at the end of the 6MWT (4 vs 1.5, p<0.001) and CPET (5 vs 4, p<0.001), in SGRQ total score (56±20 vs 45±18, p<0.001) and domains were also observed after PR. The improvement in HRQL scores after PR was related to the variation in the intensity of dyspnea at the end of the 6MWT (r=0.43, p=0.025) and was not associated with changes in exercise capacity. There was no relationship between the increase in walked distance and in VO2 after PR. Conclusions: PR induced an improvement in all outcomes studied. Only the change in dyspnea at the end of the 6MWT was associated with the change in HRQL induced by PR in COPD patients. There was no relationship between walked distance and peak VO2 changes. The results suggest that 6MWT and CPET can have complementary functions in the evaluation of PR outcomes.

Objetivos: a) Investigar os efeitos de um programa de reabilitação pulmonar (RP) sobre os sintomas, a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QV) e a capacidade de exercício medida pelo teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6m) e pelo teste de esforço cardiopulmonar (TECP) e b) estudar a associação entre estes efeitos em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC). Pacientes e Métodos: Estudamos 28 pacientes com DPOC moderada a grave, estáveis (idade 63,9±6,8 anos; volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) 0,97±0,28L) antes e depois da RP. As alterações nos desfechos clínicos como o questionário Saint George (Saint George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, SGRQ), a dispneia, o desconforto de membros inferiores (escala de BORG) e a capacidade de exercício com a RP foram examinados. A associação entre as mudanças nos parâmetros fisiológicos do TC6m e do TECP e as demais variáveis foram investigadas. Resultados: Observamos uma melhora significativa em parâmetros fisiológicos após a RP. Houve aumento da distância caminhada no TC6m (366±104 vs 442±78 m, p<0,0001), do consumo de oxigênio (VO2) de pico no TECP (857± 366 vs 1001±360 ml/min, p=0,02) e da carga máxima de trabalho (51±27 vs 79±38 Watts, p<0,0001) com a RP. Também foi observada melhora do desconforto em membros inferiores, da dispneia no final do TC6m (4 – 1,5 Borg, p<0,001) e durante o TECP (5 – 4 Borg, p<0,001), do escore total (56±20 vs 45±18, p<0,001) e dos domínios do SGRQ após a RP. A melhora nos escores de QV com a RP esteve associada com a variação da intensidade da dispneia no exercício durante a caminhada (r=0,43, p=0,025) e não se associou com a variação na capacidade de exercício. Não houve relação entre o incremento da distância percorrida e o aumento do VO2 com a RP. Conclusões: Houve melhora de todos os desfechos estudados com a RP. Apenas a variação da dispneia durante o TC6m se relacionou com as mudança da QV após a reabilitação em pacientes com DPOC. Não houve relação entre a variação da distância caminhada e do VO2 com a RP. Estes resultados sugerem que o TC6m e o TECP podem ter funções complementares na avaliação dos efeitos da RP. / Aims: a) To investigate the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program on the symptoms, health related quality of life (HRQL) and exercise capacity as measured by a six-minute walk test (6MWT) and a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and b) to study the association between these effects in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients and Methods: We studied 28 patients with stable moderate to severe COPD (mean age, 63.9±6.8 years; forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1; 0.97±0.28 L) before and after PR. The changes in HRQL (Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores, SGRQ), dyspnea, lower limb discomfort (Borg scale) and exercise capacity induced by PR were examined. The association between changes in physiological parameters of 6MWT and CPET and the other variables was also investigated. Results: We found an improvement in physiological variables after PR. There was an increase in 6MWT distance (366±104 vs 442±78 m, p<0.0001), peak oxygen uptake (VO2) measured by CPET (857±366 vs 1001±360 ml/min, p=0.02) and maximal work load (51±27 vs 79±38 Watts, p<0.0001). Improvement in leg fatigue and dyspnea at the end of the 6MWT (4 vs 1.5, p<0.001) and CPET (5 vs 4, p<0.001), in SGRQ total score (56±20 vs 45±18, p<0.001) and domains were also observed after PR. The improvement in HRQL scores after PR was related to the variation in the intensity of dyspnea at the end of the 6MWT (r=0.43, p=0.025) and was not associated with changes in exercise capacity. There was no relationship between the increase in walked distance and in VO2 after PR. Conclusions: PR induced an improvement in all outcomes studied. Only the change in dyspnea at the end of the 6MWT was associated with the change in HRQL induced by PR in COPD patients. There was no relationship between walked distance and peak VO2 changes. The results suggest that 6MWT and CPET can have complementary functions in the evaluation of PR outcomes.

Objetivos: a) Investigar os efeitos de um programa de reabilitação pulmonar (RP) sobre os sintomas, a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QV) e a capacidade de exercício medida pelo teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6m) e pelo teste de esforço cardiopulmonar (TECP) e b) estudar a associação entre estes efeitos em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC). Pacientes e Métodos: Estudamos 28 pacientes com DPOC moderada a grave, estáveis (idade 63,9±6,8 anos; volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) 0,97±0,28L) antes e depois da RP. As alterações nos desfechos clínicos como o questionário Saint George (Saint George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, SGRQ), a dispneia, o desconforto de membros inferiores (escala de BORG) e a capacidade de exercício com a RP foram examinados. A associação entre as mudanças nos parâmetros fisiológicos do TC6m e do TECP e as demais variáveis foram investigadas. Resultados: Observamos uma melhora significativa em parâmetros fisiológicos após a RP. Houve aumento da distância caminhada no TC6m (366±104 vs 442±78 m, p<0,0001), do consumo de oxigênio (VO2) de pico no TECP (857± 366 vs 1001±360 ml/min, p=0,02) e da carga máxima de trabalho (51±27 vs 79±38 Watts, p<0,0001) com a RP. Também foi observada melhora do desconforto em membros inferiores, da dispneia no final do TC6m (4 – 1,5 Borg, p<0,001) e durante o TECP (5 – 4 Borg, p<0,001), do escore total (56±20 vs 45±18, p<0,001) e dos domínios do SGRQ após a RP. A melhora nos escores de QV com a RP esteve associada com a variação da intensidade da dispneia no exercício durante a caminhada (r=0,43, p=0,025) e não se associou com a variação na capacidade de exercício. Não houve relação entre o incremento da distância percorrida e o aumento do VO2 com a RP. Conclusões: Houve melhora de todos os desfechos estudados com a RP. Apenas a variação da dispneia durante o TC6m se relacionou com as mudança da QV após a reabilitação em pacientes com DPOC. Não houve relação entre a variação da distância caminhada e do VO2 com a RP. Estes resultados sugerem que o TC6m e o TECP podem ter funções complementares na avaliação dos efeitos da RP. / Aims: a) To investigate the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program on the symptoms, health related quality of life (HRQL) and exercise capacity as measured by a six-minute walk test (6MWT) and a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and b) to study the association between these effects in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients and Methods: We studied 28 patients with stable moderate to severe COPD (mean age, 63.9±6.8 years; forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1; 0.97±0.28 L) before and after PR. The changes in HRQL (Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores, SGRQ), dyspnea, lower limb discomfort (Borg scale) and exercise capacity induced by PR were examined. The association between changes in physiological parameters of 6MWT and CPET and the other variables was also investigated. Results: We found an improvement in physiological variables after PR. There was an increase in 6MWT distance (366±104 vs 442±78 m, p<0.0001), peak oxygen uptake (VO2) measured by CPET (857±366 vs 1001±360 ml/min, p=0.02) and maximal work load (51±27 vs 79±38 Watts, p<0.0001). Improvement in leg fatigue and dyspnea at the end of the 6MWT (4 vs 1.5, p<0.001) and CPET (5 vs 4, p<0.001), in SGRQ total score (56±20 vs 45±18, p<0.001) and domains were also observed after PR. The improvement in HRQL scores after PR was related to the variation in the intensity of dyspnea at the end of the 6MWT (r=0.43, p=0.025) and was not associated with changes in exercise capacity. There was no relationship between the increase in walked distance and in VO2 after PR. Conclusions: PR induced an improvement in all outcomes studied. Only the change in dyspnea at the end of the 6MWT was associated with the change in HRQL induced by PR in COPD patients. There was no relationship between walked distance and peak VO2 changes. The results suggest that 6MWT and CPET can have complementary functions in the evaluation of PR outcomes.

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2018-07-17T21:01:40Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Cristiane Helga Yamane de Oliveira.pdf: 734503 bytes, checksum: b1eff73874a975c200780b9676f447b3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-17T21:01:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cristiane Helga Yamane de Oliveira.pdf: 734503 bytes, checksum: b1eff73874a975c200780b9676f447b3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-13 / Introduction: Different modalities exercise lead to different magnitudes of pulse oxygen desaturation (DeSpO2) in lung diseases. Objective: To compare the exercise-induced DeSpO2 between incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test on a treadmill (TECPI-E) and the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) and between sub-maximum cardiopulmonary exercise test (TECPS-E) and endurance SWT (ESWT) in patients with bronchiectasis (BCT). Material and methods: 72 patients with BCT (28 men, 48 ± 15 years, FEV1:54 ± 23% of predicted) and not oxygen dependent were assessed. The order of the TECPI-E and SWTI was randomized, but not the TECPS-E and ESWT because they require that incremental tests be performed first. Treadmill and hallway tests were performed on two different visits. A reduction  4 was considered DeSpO2. Results: There was no difference in DeSpO2 between TECPI-E (-7.7% ± 6.3%) and ISWT (-6.3% ± 5.8%) and between TECPS-E (-6,8% ± 5,8%) and ESWT (-7.2% ± 6.3%). In the incremental and endurance tests, there was an agreement to DeSpO2 or not DeSpO2 in 56 and 55 patients, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in heart rate (percentage of the maximum predicted) between TECPI-E (87.0% ± 9.0%) and ISWT (78.9% ± 11.4%) and between TECPS-E (84.5% ± 9.9%) and ESWT (79.3% ± 11.8%). However, when comparing patients who reached 85% of predicted maximum heart rate or not, there was no difference in the magnitude of DeSpO2. Conclusion: In patients with BCT, our results show that field-based tests may replace the laboratory-based tests when the clinic question is the evaluation of exercise-induced DeSpO2. / Introdução: Diferentes modalidades de exercício físico determinam diferentes magnitudes de dessaturação de pulso de oxigênio (DeSpO2) em pneumopatias. Objetivo: Comparar a DeSpO2 induzida pelo exercício entre teste de exercício cardiopulmonar (TECP) incremental em esteira (TECPI-E) e o shuttle walk test (SWT) incremental (SWTI) e entre TECP submáximo em esteira (TECPS-E) e SWT endurance (SWTE) em pacientes com bronquiectasia (BCQ). Material e métodos: Foram avaliados 72 pacientes com BCQ (28 homens, 48  15 anos, VEF1: 54 ± 23 % previsto), não dependentes de oxigênio. A ordem de realização do TECPI-E e SWTI foi randomizada, mas não o TECPS-E e SWTE, pois esses necessitam dos testes anteriores. Os testes em esteira e em corredor foram realizados em duas visitas diferentes. Uma redução  4 foi considerada DeSpO2. Resultados: Não houve diferença na DeSpO2 entre TECPI-E (-7,7% ± 6,3%) e SWTI (-6,3% ± 5,8%) e entre TECPS-E (-6,8% ± 5,8%) e SWTE (-7,2% ± 6,3%). Nos testes incrementais e de endurance, houve concordância de DeSpO2 ou não DeSpO2 em 56 e 55 pacientes, respectivamente. Houve diferença significante na frequência cardíaca (FC, % da máxima prevista) entre TECPI-E (87,0% ± 9,0%) e SWTI (78,9% ± 11,4%) e entre TECPS-E (84,5% ± 9,9% previsto) e SWTE (79,3% ± 11,8% previsto). No entanto, ao comparar os pacientes que atingiram ou não 85% da FC máxima prevista, não houve diferença na magnitude de DeSpO2. Conclusão: Nossos resultados demonstram que, em pacientes com BCQ, os testes de campo podem substituir os testes de laboratório quando a questão clínica é a avaliação da DeSpO2 induzida pelo exercício.

Mobile phones can be used to assess patients health by collecting valuable informationthrough the sensors, GPS and accelerometers and then uploading them to a centraldatabase to allow for clinicians to remotely monitor the decline, improvement or over-all health status of a patient [1] [2].Many mHealth applications use mobile phones built-in GPS, accelerometer and othersensors which allows for a large selection of work to compare the implemented exercisecapacity test to [1].The exercise capacity tests developed for this thesis is to be used in Mobistudy. Mobis-tudy is an open mobile-health platform for clinical research. The platform has an emphasison regulatory compliance, patient consent and transparency [3].The thesis resulted in the creation of two artifacts which were able to successfullycollect data from the user to transfer to the clinicians using the application. During theanalysis it was found that the SMWT algorithm developed by Salvi et al [4] worked wellunder non optimal conditions. The Queens College Step Tests result were in general poor,however more testing with more different phones is required to provide a clear answer.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been identified as the cellular entry receptor for the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). High ACE2 tissue expression and low glycine levels were suggested to increase susceptibility for SARS-CoV-2 infection and increasing circulating ACE2 has been proposed as one possible strategy to combat COVID-19. In humans, aerobic physical exercise induces an increase in plasma ACE2 in some individuals. However, it is not clear whether glycine and ACE2 levels depend on intrinsic exercise capacity or on exercise training. We used rats selectively bred for high intrinsic exercise capacity (HCR) or low exercise capacity (LCR) and tested the influence of this genetic predetermination and/or aerobic exercise on metabolites, ACE2 tissue expression and circulating ACE 2. ACE2 expression was measured in different tissues in the sedentary animals and again after 4 weeks of high-intensity aerobic exercise in both LCRs and HCRs. Sedentary HCRs exhibited significantly higher circulating ACE2 concentrations compared to LCRs, but a lower expression of ACE2 in all investigated tissues except for adipose tissue. Body weight was negatively correlated with serum ACE2 and positively correlated with ACE2 expression in the heart. Aerobic exercise caused a significant decrease in ACE2 expression in the lung, heart, muscle, and kidney both in LCRs and HCRs. Our results suggest that ACE2 expression, circulating ACE2 and glycine serum concentration are related to aerobic intrinsic exercise capacity and can be influenced with exercise. These results may support the hypothesis that physically fit individuals have a lower susceptibility for COVID-19 infection.

Endpoints of large-scale trials in chronic heart failure have mostly been defined to evaluate treatments with regard to hospitalizations and mortality. However, patients with heart failure are also affected by very severe reductions in exercise capacity and quality of life. We aimed to evaluate the effects of heart failure treatments on these endpoints using available evidence from randomized trials. Interventions with evidence for improvements in exercise capacity include physical exercise, intravenous iron supplementation in patients with iron deficiency, and – with less certainty – testosterone in highly selected patients. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents have been reported to improve exercise capacity in anaemic patients with heart failure. Sinus rhythm may have some advantage when compared with atrial fibrillation, particularly in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation. Studies assessing treatments for heart failure co-morbidities such as sleep-disordered breathing, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease and depression have reported improvements of exercise capacity and quality of life; however, the available data are limited and not always consistent. The available evidence for positive effects of pharmacologic interventions using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists on exercise capacity and quality of life is limited. Studies with ivabradine and with sacubitril/valsartan suggest beneficial effects at improving quality of life; however, the evidence base is limited in particular for exercise capacity. The data for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction are even less positive, only sacubitril/valsartan and spironolactone have shown some effectiveness at improving quality of life. In conclusion, the evidence for state-of-the-art heart failure treatments with regard to exercise capacity and quality of life is limited and appears not robust enough to permit recommendations for heart failure. The treatment of co-morbidities may be important for these patient-related outcomes. Additional studies on functional capacity and quality of life in heart failure are required.

No description available.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in older U.S. adults and the prevalence is anticipated to rise in this age group along with obesity, a prominent risk factor for OSA. Recently, OSA was determined to be highly prevalent among patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disease. Objectives: Examine associations between OSA risk and physical activity (PA), metabolic syndrome (MetSyn), and exercise responses to cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in elderly patients with AAA disease. Methods: Elderly patients (n=326 for Studies 1 and 2; n=114 for Study 3) newly diagnosed with small AAAs (aortic diameter "2.5 and < 5.5 cm) were recruited. Data collection for all participants included: extraction of medical history and drug information from medical records; completion of a physical examination to assess resting vital signs and anthropometrics; fasting blood draw for several biochemical analyses; completion of a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET); and completion of interviews and questionnaires for health history, PA, and OSA risk. Results: 57% of subjects were High-risk for OSA and 17% were classified in the highest-risk Berlin Risk Score (BRS) 3 group; these subjects reported fewer blocks walked/day, flights of stairs climbed/day, and expended fewer Calories when engaged in these activities compared to Low-risk counterparts, independent of obesity. Among those at High-risk for OSA, 45% had MetSyn. Subjects with the highest BRS also had the highest prevalence of MetSyn and values for the MetSyn component biomarkers. Exercise capacity and physiological responses at rest, during exercise, and recovery were similar between groups at High- and Low-risk for OSA. Conclusions: Reduced levels of PA among elderly AAA patients at High-risk for OSA could have unfavorable implications for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and all-cause and CVD mortality.  Subjects demonstrating the most clinical symptoms of OSA showed a significantly higher prevalence for MetSyn and several of the biomarkers that determine MetSyn. In clinical practice, the BRS may be useful for identifying those AAA patients at increased risk for both OSA and MetSyn. / Ph. D.