Association between contextual and clinical factors and disability in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) develops as a multifaceted and complex disorder, with clinical and functional repercussions. : To investigate the association among contextual factors (personal and environmental) and clinical features and the disability of COPD patients, with emphasis on activity and social participation. : A cross-sectional study with stable COPD participants ( = 47) was conducted to assess personal and clinical characteristics, activity of daily living using the London Chest Activity of Daily Living scale (LCADL), disability by the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.

Functional outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a multivariate analysis.

Background: Multiple factors can influence the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the functioning of patients with COPD, such as personal characteristics and systemic manifestations.

Objective: To evaluate the different factors that can influence the activity and psychosocial impact domains of the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) in COPD patients.

Method: Participants, recruited in a university-based hospital, responded to the SGRQ, and in addition, personal, anthropometric, and clinical data were collected.

Evolution of respiratory muscle strength in post-operative gastroplasty.

Background: Obesity is a worldwide health problem that may also induce respiratory dysfunction. Literature linking weight loss and maximum respiratory pressures is inconclusive.

Objective: To evaluate longitudinally the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) of morbidly obese individuals before and after gastric bypass surgery, and to compare them to a control group matched by sex and age.