Perception of disease severity in adult patients with cystic fibrosis.

Objective: To evaluate the perception of disease severity in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), investigating its relationship with clinical score, radiographic score, respiratory function tests, adherence to treatment and perception of self-care practices.

Methods: Prospective, cross-sectional study involving CF patients treated in a program for adults with CF. The perception of disease severity, adherence to treatment and reported self-care practices were evaluated by means of questionnaires.

[Chronic bacterial infection and echocardiographic parameters indicative of pulmonary hypertension in patients with cystic fibrosis].

Objectives: To examine the relationship between chronic bacterial infection and pulmonary hypertension, using Doppler echocardiography, in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study involving CF patients (>16 years of age) admitted to a program for adults with the disease. The study included 40 patients with a mean age of 23.

[Adherence to treatment in patients with cystic fibrosis].

Objectives: To evaluate the self-reported degree of adherence to treatment in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), investigating associations with characteristics of the disease and with the degree of adherence perceived by health professionals.

Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study involving patients with CF monitored at a Program for Adults with CF. The degree of adherence was evaluated using a questionnaire.

Early prognosis of acute asthma in the emergency room.

Objective: To evaluate clinical and pulmonary function measurements taken in the first fifteen minutes of the assessment of acute asthma in the emergency room and used for prognostic purposes.

Methods: A prospective cohort study involving consecutive patients with acute asthma. Only patients who were between the ages of 12 and 55 and presented peak expiratory flow rates < or = 50% of predicted were included.

Doppler echocardiogram, oxygen saturation and submaximum capacity of exercise in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Study Objectives: To determine the relationship between pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) and submaximum capacity of exercise, using the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), and to investigate the relation between echocardiographic findings and results of 6MWT, clinical scores, chest radiograph scores and lung function tests.

Design: This was a prospective cross-sectional study in patients with CF (16 years and older) with clinical stability, attending the Adult CF Program at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. The patients had Doppler echocardiography and performed a 6MWT.