Objetivos: Avaliar a percepção da dispneia em pacientes com fibrose cística (FC) comparando com indivíduos normais, durante teste com cargas resistivas inspiratórias e durante teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6M). Secundariamente, avaliar a correlação entre os escores de dispneia induzida pelas cargas resistivas e os escores de dispneia provocada pelo TC6M. Métodos: estudo transversal em pacientes com FC (≥15 anos) e indivíduos normais. Os voluntários foram submetidos a teste com cargas resistivas inspiratórias, medida das pressões respiratórias máximas, espirometria, avaliação nutricional e TC6M. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 31 pacientes com FC pareados com 31 indivíduos normais. À medida que a magnitude das cargas resistivas inspiratórias aumentou, os escores de dispneia aumentaram (p<0,001), porém não houve diferença entre grupos quanto ao escore de dispneia (p=0,654) e não houve efeito de interação (p=0,654). SpO2 foi menor em pacientes com FC (p<0,001) e aumentou à medida que a magnitude das cargas aumentou (p<0,001), sem ocorrer efeito de interação (p=,364). Vinte e seis (84%) indivíduos normais completaram o teste com cargas resistivas, comparado com apenas 12 (39%) dos pacientes com FC (p<0,001). Os escores de dispneia foram maiores ao final do TC6M do que no repouso (p<0,001), mas não houve diferença entre os grupos (p=0,080) e não houve efeito de interação (p=0,091). SpO2 foi menor nos pacientes com FC (p<0,001) e diminuiu do repouso ao final do TC6M nos pacientes com FC (p<0,001) com efeito de interação (p=0,004). Os escores de dispneia ao final do TC6M correlacionaram-se significativamente com os escores de dispneia induzidos pelo teste com cargas resistivas. Conclusão: a percepção da dispneia em pacientes com FC induzidos por teste com cargas resistivas inspiratórias e pelo TC6M não diferiu dos indivíduos normais. Contudo, os pacientes com FC descontinuaram o teste com cargas resistivas inspiratórias mais frequentemente. Além disso, houve correlação significativa entre o escore de percepção da dispneia induzida pelas cargas resistivas inspiratórias e pelo TC6M. / Objectives: To evaluate dyspnea perception in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients compared with normal subjects, during inspiratory resistive loading and the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Secondarily, to assess the correlation between dyspnea scores induced by resistive loads and those induced by the 6MWT. Methods: cross-sectional study in patients with CF (≥15 years old) and normal subjects. Volunteers underwent inspiratory resistive loading, measurement of maximal respiratory pressures, spirometry, nutritional evaluation, and the 6MWT. Results: Thirty-one CF patients and 31 paired normal subjects were included in the study. As the magnitude of the inspiratory loads increased, dyspnea scores increased (p<.001), but there was no difference between groups in dyspnea score (p=.654) and no group interaction effect (p=.654). SpO2 was lower in CF patients (p<.001) and increased as the magnitude of the loads increased (p<.001), with no interaction effect (p=.364). Twenty-six (84%) normal subjects completed the whole test, compared to only 12 (39%) CF patients (p<.001). Dyspnea scores were higher post-6MWT than at rest (p<.001), but did not differ between groups (p=.080) with no interaction effect (p=.091). SpO2 was lower in CF patients (p<.001) and decreased from resting to post-6MWT in CF patients (p<.001) with an interaction effect (p=.004). Post-6MWT dyspnea scores were significantly correlated with dyspnea scores induced by resistive loads. Conclusion: dyspnea perception in CF patients induced by inspiratory resistive loading and by 6MWT did not differ from normal subjects. However, CF patients discontinued inspiratory resistive loading more frequently. In addition, there were significant correlations between dyspnea perception score induced by inspiratory resistance loading and by the 6MWT.

Objetivos: Avaliar a percepção da dispneia em pacientes com fibrose cística (FC) comparando com indivíduos normais, durante teste com cargas resistivas inspiratórias e durante teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6M). Secundariamente, avaliar a correlação entre os escores de dispneia induzida pelas cargas resistivas e os escores de dispneia provocada pelo TC6M. Métodos: estudo transversal em pacientes com FC (≥15 anos) e indivíduos normais. Os voluntários foram submetidos a teste com cargas resistivas inspiratórias, medida das pressões respiratórias máximas, espirometria, avaliação nutricional e TC6M. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 31 pacientes com FC pareados com 31 indivíduos normais. À medida que a magnitude das cargas resistivas inspiratórias aumentou, os escores de dispneia aumentaram (p<0,001), porém não houve diferença entre grupos quanto ao escore de dispneia (p=0,654) e não houve efeito de interação (p=0,654). SpO2 foi menor em pacientes com FC (p<0,001) e aumentou à medida que a magnitude das cargas aumentou (p<0,001), sem ocorrer efeito de interação (p=,364). Vinte e seis (84%) indivíduos normais completaram o teste com cargas resistivas, comparado com apenas 12 (39%) dos pacientes com FC (p<0,001). Os escores de dispneia foram maiores ao final do TC6M do que no repouso (p<0,001), mas não houve diferença entre os grupos (p=0,080) e não houve efeito de interação (p=0,091). SpO2 foi menor nos pacientes com FC (p<0,001) e diminuiu do repouso ao final do TC6M nos pacientes com FC (p<0,001) com efeito de interação (p=0,004). Os escores de dispneia ao final do TC6M correlacionaram-se significativamente com os escores de dispneia induzidos pelo teste com cargas resistivas. Conclusão: a percepção da dispneia em pacientes com FC induzidos por teste com cargas resistivas inspiratórias e pelo TC6M não diferiu dos indivíduos normais. Contudo, os pacientes com FC descontinuaram o teste com cargas resistivas inspiratórias mais frequentemente. Além disso, houve correlação significativa entre o escore de percepção da dispneia induzida pelas cargas resistivas inspiratórias e pelo TC6M. / Objectives: To evaluate dyspnea perception in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients compared with normal subjects, during inspiratory resistive loading and the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Secondarily, to assess the correlation between dyspnea scores induced by resistive loads and those induced by the 6MWT. Methods: cross-sectional study in patients with CF (≥15 years old) and normal subjects. Volunteers underwent inspiratory resistive loading, measurement of maximal respiratory pressures, spirometry, nutritional evaluation, and the 6MWT. Results: Thirty-one CF patients and 31 paired normal subjects were included in the study. As the magnitude of the inspiratory loads increased, dyspnea scores increased (p<.001), but there was no difference between groups in dyspnea score (p=.654) and no group interaction effect (p=.654). SpO2 was lower in CF patients (p<.001) and increased as the magnitude of the loads increased (p<.001), with no interaction effect (p=.364). Twenty-six (84%) normal subjects completed the whole test, compared to only 12 (39%) CF patients (p<.001). Dyspnea scores were higher post-6MWT than at rest (p<.001), but did not differ between groups (p=.080) with no interaction effect (p=.091). SpO2 was lower in CF patients (p<.001) and decreased from resting to post-6MWT in CF patients (p<.001) with an interaction effect (p=.004). Post-6MWT dyspnea scores were significantly correlated with dyspnea scores induced by resistive loads. Conclusion: dyspnea perception in CF patients induced by inspiratory resistive loading and by 6MWT did not differ from normal subjects. However, CF patients discontinued inspiratory resistive loading more frequently. In addition, there were significant correlations between dyspnea perception score induced by inspiratory resistance loading and by the 6MWT.

Objetivos: Avaliar a percepção da dispneia em pacientes com fibrose cística (FC) comparando com indivíduos normais, durante teste com cargas resistivas inspiratórias e durante teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6M). Secundariamente, avaliar a correlação entre os escores de dispneia induzida pelas cargas resistivas e os escores de dispneia provocada pelo TC6M. Métodos: estudo transversal em pacientes com FC (≥15 anos) e indivíduos normais. Os voluntários foram submetidos a teste com cargas resistivas inspiratórias, medida das pressões respiratórias máximas, espirometria, avaliação nutricional e TC6M. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 31 pacientes com FC pareados com 31 indivíduos normais. À medida que a magnitude das cargas resistivas inspiratórias aumentou, os escores de dispneia aumentaram (p<0,001), porém não houve diferença entre grupos quanto ao escore de dispneia (p=0,654) e não houve efeito de interação (p=0,654). SpO2 foi menor em pacientes com FC (p<0,001) e aumentou à medida que a magnitude das cargas aumentou (p<0,001), sem ocorrer efeito de interação (p=,364). Vinte e seis (84%) indivíduos normais completaram o teste com cargas resistivas, comparado com apenas 12 (39%) dos pacientes com FC (p<0,001). Os escores de dispneia foram maiores ao final do TC6M do que no repouso (p<0,001), mas não houve diferença entre os grupos (p=0,080) e não houve efeito de interação (p=0,091). SpO2 foi menor nos pacientes com FC (p<0,001) e diminuiu do repouso ao final do TC6M nos pacientes com FC (p<0,001) com efeito de interação (p=0,004). Os escores de dispneia ao final do TC6M correlacionaram-se significativamente com os escores de dispneia induzidos pelo teste com cargas resistivas. Conclusão: a percepção da dispneia em pacientes com FC induzidos por teste com cargas resistivas inspiratórias e pelo TC6M não diferiu dos indivíduos normais. Contudo, os pacientes com FC descontinuaram o teste com cargas resistivas inspiratórias mais frequentemente. Além disso, houve correlação significativa entre o escore de percepção da dispneia induzida pelas cargas resistivas inspiratórias e pelo TC6M. / Objectives: To evaluate dyspnea perception in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients compared with normal subjects, during inspiratory resistive loading and the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Secondarily, to assess the correlation between dyspnea scores induced by resistive loads and those induced by the 6MWT. Methods: cross-sectional study in patients with CF (≥15 years old) and normal subjects. Volunteers underwent inspiratory resistive loading, measurement of maximal respiratory pressures, spirometry, nutritional evaluation, and the 6MWT. Results: Thirty-one CF patients and 31 paired normal subjects were included in the study. As the magnitude of the inspiratory loads increased, dyspnea scores increased (p<.001), but there was no difference between groups in dyspnea score (p=.654) and no group interaction effect (p=.654). SpO2 was lower in CF patients (p<.001) and increased as the magnitude of the loads increased (p<.001), with no interaction effect (p=.364). Twenty-six (84%) normal subjects completed the whole test, compared to only 12 (39%) CF patients (p<.001). Dyspnea scores were higher post-6MWT than at rest (p<.001), but did not differ between groups (p=.080) with no interaction effect (p=.091). SpO2 was lower in CF patients (p<.001) and decreased from resting to post-6MWT in CF patients (p<.001) with an interaction effect (p=.004). Post-6MWT dyspnea scores were significantly correlated with dyspnea scores induced by resistive loads. Conclusion: dyspnea perception in CF patients induced by inspiratory resistive loading and by 6MWT did not differ from normal subjects. However, CF patients discontinued inspiratory resistive loading more frequently. In addition, there were significant correlations between dyspnea perception score induced by inspiratory resistance loading and by the 6MWT.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A Amburana cearensis à uma planta nativa do sertÃo nordestino, popularmente conhecida como imburana de cerejeira e cumaru, utilizada empiricamente nas afecÃÃes do trato respiratÃrio. O presente estudo duplo-cego, randomizado, paralelo e controlado por placebo, teve como objetivo avaliar a eficÃcia terapÃutica do xarope de Cumaru como terapia complementar em asmÃticos sob tratamento regular com corticÃide inalatÃrio associado ao broncodilatador nas crises. Os pacientes foram incluÃdos no estudo com base na histÃria clÃnica, exame fÃsico e laboratorial foram randomizados em Grupo teste, que recebeu o Xarope de Cumaru e Grupo Placebo, que recebeu o placebo sendo ambos os grupos compostos por 21 pacientes, que ingeriram o xarope na dose de 15 mL trÃs vezes ao dia durante um perÃodo de 15 dias consecutivos. O estudo teve como desfecho primÃrio a mudanÃa na qualidade de vida avaliada atravÃs do questionÃrio de qualidade de vida em asma com atividades padronizadas - AQLQ(S) distribuÃdos em quatro domÃnios: sintomas, limitaÃÃo das atividades, estimulo ambiental e funÃÃo emocional e como desfechos secundÃrios a avaliaÃÃo das provas de funÃÃo pulmonar e a seguranÃa da formulaÃÃo sob investigaÃÃo mediante exames laboratoriais no perÃodo prÃ-tratamento e no primeiro dia apÃs a finalizaÃÃo do tratamento de 15 dias com o Xarope. Todos os pacientes eram procedentes da cidade de Fortaleza, com 96% pertencentes ao sexo feminino. O grau de escolaridade mÃnimo foi o ensino fundamental completo representado por 94,3% da amostra. A fase prÃ-estudo nÃo evidenciou diferenÃas estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos quanto ao gÃnero, IMC, VEF1, PFE, uso de medicaÃÃo resgate, escore total da qualidade devida mensurado pelo AQLQ (S) e presenÃa de comorbidade (p>0,05), entretanto observou-se diferenÃa estatisticamente significante quanto à mÃdia de idade, onde o grupo Cumaru (46,619  10,351) apresentou resultado significativamente maior que o grupo Placebo (37,238  10,319). A melhora na qualidade de vida foi estatisticamente significante no grupo Cumaru quando comparada ao grupo Placebo tanto no aspecto global como para o domÃnio sintomas, limitaÃÃo das atividades, estimulo ambiental e funÃÃo emocional mensurados pelo AQLQ(S) (p<0,05). No grupo Cumaru a proporÃÃo de pacientes com melhora global da qualidade de vida foi significativamente maior (61,90%) que a verificada no grupo placebo (9,52%), com risco relativo de 6,500. A CVF, VEF1; RelaÃÃo VEF1/ CVF e FEF 25-75% da CVF nÃo sofreram modificaÃÃes significativas nos dois grupos estudados (p>0,05) em nenhuma das etapas estudadas. A anÃlise hematolÃgica e bioquÃmica dos pacientes em ambos os grupos nÃo apresentou diferenÃas estatisticamente significantes entre os mesmos em nenhuma das fases estudadas. O xarope de Cumaru foi bem tolerado pelos pacientes e os efeitos adversos observados foram equivalentes aos do grupo placebo. Conclui-se que a administraÃÃo do xarope de Cumaru, na dose 45mL/dia por 15 dias, como terapia complementar proporcionou melhora significativa da qualidade de vida, sem causar toxicidade sistÃmica embora nÃo tenha modificado os parÃmetros espiromÃtricos representando uma alternativa segura para o tratamento da asma. / Amburana cearensis is a medicinal plant common to the Brazilian Northeastern and empirically used as bronchodilatador in respiratory tract diseases including asthma. A clinical trial double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel analyzed in the Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Ceara, Brazil, the therapeutic efficacy of Cumaru syroup as complementar therapy in patients with mild asthma on regular treatment with inhaled corticosteroids. The study had three phases, pre, treatment and post treatment. The patients were included in the study based on clinical history, physical examination and laboratory test and were randomized into group that received Cumaru syrup and the placebo group who received the placebo and both groups consisting of 21 patients who ingested the syrup in the dose 15 mL three times daily for a period of 15 consecutive days. The study had as primary outcome the change in quality of life assessed by questionnaire of quality of life in asthma - with standardized activities - AQLQ (S) distributed in four areas: symptoms, activity limitation, emotional function and environmental stimuli and secondary outcome evaluation made by pulmonary function tests and safety of the formulation under investigation by laboratory tests in the pre-treatment and the first day after completion of treatment for 15 days with the syrup. All patients were from the city of Fortaleza, with 96% belonging to the female and The level of education was the least complete basic education represented 54% of the sample. The pre-study showed no statistically significant differences between groups regarding gender, IMC, FEV1, PEF, use of rescue medication, overall quality score measured by the AQLQ(S) and the presence of hypertension (p> 0.05), however there was statistically significant difference in mean age, where the placebo group showed significantly lower results (37,238  10,319) than the group Cumaru (46,619  10,351). The improvement in quality of life was statistically significant in group Cumaru when compared to the placebo group both in terms of global and for each domain: symptoms, activity limitation, environmental exposure and emotional function measured by the AQLQ(S) (p <0.05). Cumaru group in the proportion of patients with global improvement of quality of life was significantly higher (61.90%) that seen in the placebo group (9.52%), with relative risk of 6500. The FVC, FEV1, for FEV1 / FVC and FEF 25-75% of FVC did not suffer significant changes in both groups (p> 0.05) in any of the stages studied. The Cumaru syrup was well tolerated by patients and adverse events did not show any clinical relevance. The haematological and biochemical analysis of patients in both groups showed no statistically significant differences between them in any of the stages studied. Cumaru syrup was well tolerated by patients and adverse effects observed were equivalent to those in the placebo group. It is concluded that the administration of 45mL/day of Cumaru syrup during 15 days as complementary therapy provided significant improvement in quality of life, without causing systemic toxicity but has not modified the spirometric parameters representing a safe alternative for the treatment of asthma.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:58:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Doutorado_Ricardo_Noal.pdf: 5115920 bytes, checksum: 769b0ebccd0e351c00cd523fb3bbba48 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-06-14 / Obesity, as well as impaired lung function, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Few studies have evaluated the effect of adiposity on lung function in adolescents. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of body mass index and sum of skinfolds (triceps and subscapular) on pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity) of adolescents in the study there longitudinal live births in 1993, Pelotas - Brazil. Teenagers aged between 14 and 15 years were interviewed (n = 4349), follow-up rate of 85.7% of the original cohort, measured (n = 4110) and their lung function measured (n = 4006). It was observed through a cross-sectional analysis, after controlling for confounding factors during the gestational period, the body mass index presents. Overall direct effect on lung function while the sum of skinfolds opposite effect. The longitudinal analysis allowed us to observe that adolescents, regardless of sex, which remained in the lower tertiles of body mass index during follow-up had lower levels of lung function than those who remained in the middle tercile. The boys who remained in the highest tertile of skinfold thickness had lower lung function values. These findings suggest that low body mass index and the large sum of skinfold thicknesses have negative impact on lung function in adolescents. / A obesidade, assim como a redução da função pulmonar, esta associada à morbidade e mortalidade. Poucos estudos avaliaram o efeito da adiposidade sobre a função pulmonar em adolescentes. Esse estudo foi realizado com objetivo de avaliar o efeito do índice de massa corporal e do somatório das pregas cutâneas (tricipital e subescapular) sobre a função pulmonar (volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo e capacidade vital forçada) de adolescentes pertencentes ai estudo longitudinal dos nascidos vivos em 1993, Pelotas Brasil. Os adolescentes com idade entre 14 e 15 anos foram entrevistados (n=4349), taxa de acompanhamento de 85,7% da coorte original, medidos (n=4110) e sua função pulmonar avaliada (n=4006). Observou-se através de uma análise transversal que, após controle para fatores de confusão desde o período gestacional, o índice de massa corporal apresenta de maneira geral efeito direto sobre a função pulmonar ao passo que o somatório de pregas cutâneas efeito inverso. A análise longitudinal permitiu observar que os adolescentes, independentemente do sexo, que permaneceram nos menores tercis do índice de massa corporal durante o acompanhamento apresentaram menores valores de função pulmonar em relação aos que permaneceram no tercil médio. Os meninos que permaneceram no maior tercil de pregas cutâneas apresentaram menores valores de função pulmonar. Esses achados sugerem que o baixo índice de massa corporal e o elevado somatório de pregas cutâneas apresentam impacto negativo sobre a função pulmonar de adolescentes.

No description available.

Thesis (D. Tech. (Clinical Technology )) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013 / The HIV pandemic in South-Africa has created a new form of vulnerability for households with regards to food security and nutritional status which are vital components in the general care of HIV-infected individuals. The risk of nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition are predictors of disease progression and treatment in resource limited settings. Furthermore, HIV affects nutritional status by increasing the energy requirements, reducing food intake, affecting nutrient absorption and metabolism inadequacies due to cytokine activity and diarrhea. Several vitamins and minerals are important in fighting HIV infection because they are required by the immune system and major organs to attack infectious pathogens. Many of these micronutrients have been found to be deficient in HIVinfected persons and several studies were launched worldwide to investigate the feasibility of food assistance and nutrient supplementation. Nutritional supplementation has been advocated in HIV-infected persons especially in lowincome countries such as South Africa. Therefore, a study to evaluate the role of nutritional supplementation in HIV-positive patients becomes necessary, especially in a developing country such as South Africa. It is against this background that the present research was initiated to examine the influence of a nutritional supplement on the immune status and health status of HIVpositive/ AIDS adult individuals. The aim of the investigation was to determine if supplementation with a mixture comprised from specific minerals, vitamins and herbs over a period of one year, affected the haematological status, immune status, viral load and pulmonary function in forty (40) HIV-infected individuals living in the Mangaung Metropolitan, RSA. viii A quantitative, open-labeled, before-after clinical trial was conducted at the Central University of Technology, in Bloemfontein, Free State Province in the RSA. Socio-demographic and dietary intake questionnaires were completed. All data pertaining to anthropometric measurements, haematological status, immune status, viral load and pulmonary function were obtained my means of using standard procedures and technological equipment. The data were subjected to parametric and non-parametric statistical analysis. The results of the present investigation show that the eating pattern of this urbanized group of individuals reflects high energy (KJ) and macronutrient intakes coinciding with sub-optimal intake of Vitamin D and iodine. Of all the haematological variables the only statistical significant changes observed were increases in the median erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (p=0.0219) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (p=0.0245) after six months of nutritional supplementation. At 12 months a statistical significant decrease in the median CD/CD8 ratio (p<0.0048), median Hematocrit concentration (p<0.0312), median mean cell volume (MCV) (p<0.0359), and median RDW (p<0.0273) accompanied a statistically significant increase in the MCHC (p<0.0003) at 12 months after supplementation. At 6 months 89% (CI95%: 73%; 96%) of the individuals showed a decline in viral load counts with a median percentage decline of 34% (CI95%: 73%; 96%). At 12 months 85% [CI95%: 68%; 94%] of the individuals show a decrease in viral load counts with a median percentage decline of 62.9% (CI95%: 50%; 78.6%) following the intake of the supplement. The main findings of the present investigation reveal that 68% (50%-81%) of the individuals show a statistical median increase (p=0.0302) of 16.9% (11.5%; ix 36.1%) in the Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) at six months. A significant decrease (p=0.0484) in the median FEF75 of 28.1% (14%; 35.3%) is observed in 70% (53%-83%) of the individuals after 12 months of exposure to the supplement. No statistical significant changes are observed for FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEF50 over the entire trial period. The present results suggest that a significant measurable decrease in viral load in HIV-infected individuals can be obtained by means of subjecting individuals to a nutritional fortification supplement strategy for 6 months or more.

The aim of this study is definition reference values including reference equations for parameters PImax, PEmax and P0.1 of the normal Czech population aged 14-15 years. 102 subjects were examined for this purpose (55 boys and 47 girls). Except the reference values for boys and girls, this work includes correlations of mouth pressures with anthropometric data and also with other spirometric parameters. In case of boys were found a significant correlation of PEmax parameter with weight, BMI and PEF. In group of boys we also found a correlation of PImax with BMI and PImax with IC. Parameter P0.1 correlates only with VT. In group of girls we found a significant correlations of PImax, PEmax and P0.1 with PEF and MEF25.

Uma das aplicações básicas da engenharia biomédica se refere aos testes de equipamentos de uso clínico, a avaliação de sua natureza, acessibilidade e/ou suas características. No âmbito da avaliação do sistema respiratório, estão disponíveis diferentes parâmetros de referência (PR) para o teste de espirometria, um dos principais testes de função pulmonar, que permite medir: volumes, capacidades e fluxos pulmonares. Estes PR baseiam-se principalmente em dados étnicos, idade e gênero de indivíduos saudáveis, mas havendo diferenças entre populações avaliadas, como no Brasil com sua grande diversidade de raças e etnias, pode haver erro diagnóstico. Em razão disto, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar três dos principais PR utilizados nesta população: PR-P (de Pereira e colaboradores de 2007), PR-K ( de Knudson e colaboradores de 1983) e PR-Q (de Quanjer e colaboradores de 2012). Procedeu-se um estudo exploratório descritivo com 683 indivíduos (180 homens e 503 mulheres) entre 24 e 59 anos, em boas condições de saúde, praticantes de exercícios físicos regulares com frequência mínima de duas vezes por semana. Foi aplicada anamnese, coletados dados de massa, estatura e realizada a espirometria forçada (espirômetro bidirecional - Care Fusion MicroLoop) e as variáveis respiratórias avaliadas foram VEF1, CVF, FEF75 e PFE. Como principais resultados verificou-se que a idade média foi de 42 anos (masculino: 40,6 anos; feminino: 44,4 anos); IMC médio de 26 Kg/m² (masculino: 26,26 Kg/m²; feminino: 26,44 Kg/m²); e tempo da prática de exercícios físicos médio de 52 meses (masculino: 66,9 meses; feminino: 37,9 meses). Ao se analisar a variação dos parâmetros de referência para classificação da função pulmonar entre os três protocolos testados, encontrou-se diferença estatisticamente significativa (p<0,05) entre CVF, VEF1, FEF75 e PFE para os valores previstos e atingidos em todos os PR, além de sinais restritivos e obstrutivos. Para o PR-P, mesmo com indivíduos com características assintomáticas e praticantes de exercícios físicos, 17,2% dos indivíduos foram classificados com algum grau de restrição e 17,3% com obstrução, distanciando-se do PR-K e PR-Q que, respectivamente apresentaram valores para restritivo de 7,0% e 12,8% e para obstrutivos de 7,1% e 4,8%. Conclui-se que os respectivos PR podem induzir a erros, levando a classificações diferentes, podendo um mesmo indivíduo ser considerado em estado de normalidade, restritivo ou obstrutivo, a depender do protocolo escolhido. O estado nutricional interferiu na função respiratória no gênero masculino ao se identificar associação significativa entre o estado nutricional e o teste de função pulmonar, x² = 9,80 (p = 0,04). Desta forma, homens acima do peso tiveram 1,9 vezes mais risco de apresentar o teste de função pulmonar insuficiente, mesmo praticando exercícios físicos regulares. Não houve associação significativa em nenhum dos gêneros entre o teste de função pulmonar e o tempo de prática de exercícios físicos. O teste de correlação de Pearson, confirmou a inexistência de correlação entre as variáveis VEF1, PFE e CVF com o tempo de prática para ambos os gêneros. / One of the basic applications of biomedical engineering refers to the testing of clinical use equipment, the assessment of its nature, accessibility and / or its features. In the evaluation of the respiratory system, are available different parameters of reference (PR) for the spirometry test, one of the main pulmonary function tests, which can measure: volumes, capacities and pulmonary flows. These PR based mainly on ethnic data, age and gender in healthy subjects, but with differences between populations studied, as in Brazil with its great diversity of races and ethnic groups, there may be misdiagnosis. Because of this, the objective of this study was to analyze in this population, three of the most used PR: PR-P (Pereira et al., 2007), PR-K (Knudson et al., 1983) and PR-Q (Quanjer et al., 2012). The procedure was a descriptive exploratory study with 683 subjects (180 men and 503 women) between 24 and 59 years, in good health, regular physical exercises practitioners with minimum frequency of twice a week. Anamnesis was applied, collected data of mass and height, performed forced spirometry (bidirectional spirometer - Care Fusion Microloop) and the following respiratory variables were measured, FEV1, FVC, PEF and FEF75. With the main results it was found that the average age was 42 years (male: 40.6 years; women: 44.4 years); BMI average of 26 kg / m² (male: 26.26 kg / m²; female: 26.44 kg / m²); and time the average physical exercises practice 52 months (male: 66.9 months; female: 37.9 months). When analyzing the variation of the reference parameters for pulmonary function classification between the three protocols tested, we found a statistically significant difference (p <0.05) between FVC, FEV1, PEF and FEF75 to the levels required and achieved in all PR, as well as restrictive and obstructive signs. For the PR-P, even with individuals with asymptomatic characteristics and practitioners of physical exercises, 17.2% of subjects were classified with some degree of restriction and 17.3% with obstruction, away from the PR-K and PR-Q which respectively had values for restrictive of 7.0% and 12.8% and for obstruction of 7.1% and 4.8%. We conclude that these PR may induce to errors, leading to different rating, where one individual can be considered in normal state, restrictive or obstructive, depending on the chosen protocol. It was identified that nutritional status interfere with respiratory function, demonstrating significant association between nutritional status and pulmonary function test for males, x² = 9.80 (p = 0.04). Thus, overweight men had 1.9 times more risk to have the insufficient lung function test, even practicing regular physical exercises. There was no significant association in any of the genres between the pulmonary function test and the time of physical activity. The Pearson correlation test confirmed the lack of correlation between the FEV1, FVC and PEF with practice time for both genders.

Efficient and accurate sensing of various parameters is needed for numerous applications. In this regard, different categories of sensors play a significant role and different applications require diverse sensing mechanisms owing to the operating conditions and field constraints. Among the several sensor methodologies available, optical fiber sensors have found significant attention, because of their advantages such as negligible foot print, small mass, immunity to Electromagnetic Interference, etc. In the category of optical fiber sensors, Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors have found importance in many fields such as health monitoring of civil structures, environmental monitoring involving gas & humidity sensing, monitoring parameters like pressure, tilt, displacement, etc. In the recent times, FBGs have found applications in biomedical, biomechanical and biosensing fields. A FBG is a periodic change of the refractive index of the core of a single mode optical fiber along its longitudinal axis. The periodic modulation in the index of refraction is obtained by exposing a photosensitive germanium-doped silica fiber to an intense UV laser beam. FBGs, in the basic form, can sense strain and temperature. However, in recent years, several newer sensing applications of FBGs have been demonstrated. Some of the main features of the FBG sensor which qualify them for diverse sensing applications are high sensitivity, large operational bandwidth, multiplexing & multi modal sensing capability, etc. In this thesis work, FBG sensor based devices have been developed for newer applications in bio-medical fields for the measurement of force, flow and temperature. Particularly, novel transduction methodologies have been proposed, in order to convert the measurand parameter into a secondary parameter that can be sensed by the FBG sensor. The evaluation of the force required for a spinal needle to penetrate various tissue layers from skin to the epidural space is vital. In this work, a novel technique for dynamic monitoring of force experienced by a spinal needle during lumbar puncture using Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensor has been developed. The Fiber Bragg Grating Force Device (FBGFD) developed, measures the force on the spinal needle due to varied resistance offered by different tissue layers during its traversal. The effect of gauge of the spinal needle used for the lumbar puncture procedure affects the force required for its insertion into the tissue. The FBGFD developed, has been further utilized for a comparative study of the force required for lumbar puncture of various tissue layers with spinal needle of different gauges. The results obtained may serve as a guideline for selection of suitable gauge spinal needle during lumbar puncture minimizing post puncture side effects on patients. The pulmonary function test carried out using a spirometer, provides vital information about the functional status of the respiratory system of the subject. A Fiber Bragg Grating Spirometer (FBGS) has been developed which has the ability to convert the rate of air flow into a shift in wavelength that can be acquired by the FBG sensor. The FBGS can dynamically acquire the complete breathing sequence comprising of the inhalation phase, pause phase and exhalation phase in terms of the air flow rate along with the time duration of each phase. Methods are adopted to analyse and determine important pulmonary parameters using FBGS and compare these parameters with those obtained with a commercially available hospital grade pneumotachograph spirometer. Thermal imaging is one of the emerging non-invasive neuro-imaging techniques which can potentially indicate the boundaries of a brain tumor. The variation in tissue surface temperature is indicative of a tumor existence. In this work a FBG temperature sensor (FBGTS) has been developed for thermography of a simulated tissue using Agar material. The temperature of the embedded heater which mimics a brain tumor along with the surface temperature of the tissue model, is acquired using FBGTSs simultaneously. Further, the surface temperatures are studied for varying heater temperatures as well as varying positions of the heater in the simulated tissue model. To conclude, FBG based devices have been developed in this work, for applications in biomedical domain, with appropriate transduction methodologies for sensing different parameters such as force, flow and temperature.