Predictive equations for respiratory muscle strength by anthropometric variables.

Unlabelled: Recent studies have pointed out divergences in the predictive quality of reference equations for respiratory muscle strength, alerting the need to introduce into these equation-specific variables for certain target populations.

Objectives: This study proposes predictive equations of respiratory muscle strength by the variables such as body weight and body mass index (BMI = weight/height ).

Materials And Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, and the evaluation was made by the test of maximum static respiratory pressures (MIP and MEP) according to standard protocol of the Brazilian Society of Pneumology and Tisiology.

BODE index and GOLD staging as predictors of 1-year exacerbation risk in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The body mass index/airflow obstruction/dyspnea/exercise capacity (BODE) index and global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) staging system are validated measures to define disease severity and to predict survival in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to investigate the influence of BODE classes (score: 0-2, 3-4, 5-7, and 7-10) and GOLD stages (I, II, III, and IV) on the moderate/severe exacerbation occurrence risk in a cohort of 120 mild/very severe stable patients with COPD.

Methods: Demographics, clinical evaluation, spirometry, peripheral oxygen saturation, body composition, 6-minute walking distance, dyspnea, and quality of life measurements were obtained at baseline.

Influence of lean body mass on cardiopulmonary repercussions during the six-minute walk test in patients with COPD.

Objective: Although lean body mass (LBM) has been associated with mortality in patients with COPD, its influence on functional limitation is not clear. The objective of this study was to analyze the cardiopulmonary variables in COPD patients with or without LBM depletion, prior to and after the six-minute walk test (6MWT).

Methods: We evaluated COPD patients, 32 with LBM depletion and 36 without.

[Relationship between body mass index and asthma severity in adults].

Objective: Elevated values of body mass index (BMI) have been associated with higher prevalence of asthma in adults. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the association between obesity and asthma severity.

Methods: Medical records of two hundred patients older than 20 years of age were evaluated retrospectively.

Systemic manifestations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is progressive and is characterized by abnormal inflammation of the lungs in response to inhalation of noxious particles or toxic gases, especially cigarette smoke. Although this infirmity primarily affects the lungs, diverse extrapulmonary manifestations have been described. The likely mechanisms involved in the local and systemic inflammation seen in this disease include an increase in the number of inflammatory cells (resulting in abnormal production of inflammatory cytokines) and an imbalance between the formation of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant capacity (leading to oxidative stress).