CAPACIDADE FUNCIONAL E FORÇA MUSCULAR RESPIRATÓRIA EM PESSOAS COM DOENÇA PULMONAR OBSTRUTIVA CRÔNICA.

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a respiratory condition characterized by chronic airway obstruction, usually caused by smoking and exposure to environmental risk factors. It is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, affecting mainly people over 40 years of age and in low- and middle-income countries. COPD can cause a range of symptoms, including coughing, respiratory mucus production, and dyspnea on exertion, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. In addition, COPD is related to other comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health problems, which amplifies its impact on patients' quality of life. Reduced physical capacity and limitation in daily activities are also observed, leading to a sedentary lifestyle and further worsening symptoms. The diagnosis of COPD involves clinical evaluations and pulmonary function tests, such as spirometry, which help to identify airflow limitation and classify the severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can be assessed by the GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) scale, which is based on the assessment of airflow limitation and symptom severity. It mainly uses spirometry, measuring FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) after the use of a bronchodilator, classified into four stages. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of COPD severity (GOLD Scale) on the functional capacity and respiratory muscle strength of patients with COPD. Method: COPD severity was assessed using the GOLD Scale,functional capacity was assessed by performing the Glittre ADL and respiratory muscle strength was assessed by MIP and MEP. Statistical analysis: the comparison between the groups was performed using the Student's t-test. Fisher's exact test was used to compare categorical variables. Statistical analyses were analyzed with a significance level of 5%. Results: A total of 26 patients of both sexes (19 men and 7 women) participated in the study,with a mean age of 72.47±6.7937 (GOLD A/B group) and 67.00±4.60 (GOLD E group), with COPD followed up at the Pulmonology Outpatient Clinic of Humap/Ebserh/UFMS. Regarding the BMI variable, it was observed that there was no difference between the groups studied. It was also observed that there was no difference between the strength of the respiratory muscles of the two groups studied (MIP p = 0.296 and MEP p = 0.368) and a tendency to reduce functional capacity in the patients of group E (p = 0.551) and a trend toward younger age also in patients in the GOLD E group. Conclusion In the studied sample, the severity of COPD did not show an adverse impact on the strength of the muscles, nor on the functional capacity of the trained patients.

Keywords: Physical fitness, severity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.