RESUMO Objetivos (i) Avaliar as medições antropométricas e as características clínicas e perfis de qualidade de vida dos pacientes estudados, (ii) determinar a ocorrência e severidade da Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono (AOS) por meio de polissonografia e (iii) identificar os melhores indicadores antropométricos e clínicos para prever a AOS em pacientes obesos que são candidatos à cirurgia bariátrica. Métodos Estudo prospectivo de observação conduzido em uma clínica particular, por meio de amostragem consecutiva de pacientes qualificados para cirurgia bariátrica com IMC ≥ 40 ou IMC de ≥ 35 kg/m² e comorbidades associadas à obesidade. Resultados Inicialmente, 60 pacientes foram selecionados, dos quais 46 concordaram em participar de avaliação pré-operatória. A AOS foi observada em 76% dos pacientes, sendo que 59% deles apresentavam AOS de moderada a grave, com uma predominância de homens nesses grupos. Entre as variáveis que sugerem diferença estatística entre os grupos, a relação cintura/quadril (RCQ) foi o único fator clínico associado à pontuação no índice de apneia-hipopneia (IAH) ≥ 15, com um valor de corte de 0.95. Os resultados mostram que pacientes com uma pontuação acima de 0,95 têm três vezes mais probabilidade de apresentarem apneia de moderada a grave. Conclusão O melhor fator de risco para o prognóstico de AOS de moderada a grave foi apresentado na pontuação de RCQ, com um valor de corte de 0,95 ou acima.

ABSTRACT Objectives (i) To assess the anthropometric measurements, along with the clinical characteristics and quality of life profiles of the studied patients; (ii) To determine the occurrence and severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), using polysomnography; and (iii) To identify the best anthropometric and clinical indicators to predict OSA in obese patients who are candidates for bariatric surgery. Methods a prospective observational study conducted in a private clinic, using consecutive sampling of patients eligible for bariatric surgery with a BMI ≥ 40, or with a BMI of ≥ 35 kg/m² accompanied by comorbidities associated with obesity. Results Sixty patients were initially selected, of whom 46 agreed to take part in the preoperative evaluation. OSA was observed in 76% of patients, 59% of whom had moderate-to-severe OSA, with a predominance of men in these groups. Among the variables suggesting statistical difference between groups, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was the only clinical factor associated with scores the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 15, with a cut-off value of 0.95. The results showed that patients scoring above 0.95 are three times more likely to have moderate-to-severe apnea. Conclusion The best risk factor for the prognostic of moderate-to-severe OSA was presenting a WHR score with a cut-off value of 0.95 or above.

BACKGROUND: High-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation increases exercise tolerance in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD patients). However, it is conceivable that its benefits are more prominent in patients with better-preserved peripheral muscle function and structure. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation in COPD patients with better-preserved peripheral muscle function. Design: Prospective and cross-over study. METHODS: Thirty COPD patients were randomly assigned to either home-based, high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation or sham stimulation for six weeks. The training intensity was adjusted according to each subject's tolerance. Fat-free mass, isometric strength, six-minute walking distance and time to exercise intolerance (Tlim) were assessed. RESULTS: Thirteen (46.4%) patients responded to high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation; that is, they had a post/pre Δ Tlim >10% after stimulation (unimproved after sham stimulation). Responders had a higher baseline fat-free mass and six-minute walking distance than their seventeen (53.6%) non-responding counterparts. Responders trained at higher stimulation intensities; their mean amplitude of stimulation during training was significantly related to their fat-free mass (r = 0.65; p<0.01). Logistic regression revealed that fat-free mass was the single independent predictor of Tlim improvement (odds ratio [95% CI] = 1.15 [1.04-1.26]; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation improved the exercise capacity of COPD patients with better-preserved fat-free mass because they tolerated higher training stimulus levels. These data suggest that early training with high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation before tissue wasting begins might enhance exercise tolerance in patients with less advanced COPD.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o conhecimento da disponibilidade de equipamentos para ventilação não invasiva e o grau de conhecimento, atualização e familiaridade sobre ventilação não invasiva entre médicos, enfermeiros e fisioterapeutas em unidades de terapia intensiva de hospitais públicos, privados e de ensino da região metropolitana de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Preenchimento de questionário no local. RESULTADOS: A disponibilidade de equipamentos para ventilação não invasiva na região metropolitana de São Paulo é elevada, sendo maior nos hospitais privados do que nos de ensino e em ambos é maior do que nos públicos. Nos hospitais públicos predomina o uso de aparelhos de ventilação invasiva adaptados para ventilação não invasiva. Nos hospitais privados predomina o gerador de fluxo e nos hospitais de ensino, os ventiladores específicos para ventilação não invasiva. Todos os fisioterapeutas sentiam-se aptos a instalar a ventilação não invasiva, contra 72,6% dos médicos e 33,3% dos enfermeiros. Médicos e fisioterapeutas tiveram grande percentagem de acertos nas indicações e contra-indicações da ventilação não invasiva, que foi menor para os enfermeiros. Em um ano, mais fisioterapeutas leram artigos científicos e participaram de aulas sobre ventilação não invasiva do que médicos, e estes mais que enfermeiros. CONCLUSÃO: A disponibilidade de equipamentos para ventilação não invasiva é elevada nos hospitais da região metropolitana de São Paulo, com diferenças no tipo de equipamento disponível. Médicos e fisioterapeutas têm elevado grau de acerto nas indicações e contra-indicações de seu uso. Fisioterapeutas sentem-se mais aptos a instalar a ventilação não invasiva e estão mais atualizados do que médicos e enfermeiros.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the availability of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation equipment, as well as the level of expertise and familiarity of physicians, nurses and physiotherapists with noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation in the intensive care units of public, private and teaching hospitals in the greater metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: On-site administration of questionnaires. RESULTS: Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation equipment was widely available and was more commonly found in private hospitals than in teaching hospitals. Such equipment was least available in public hospitals, in which the predominant method was the use of mechanical ventilators designed for invasive ventilation and adapted to noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation. In private hospitals, continuous flow ventilators were more common, whereas, in teaching hospitals, ventilators specifically designed for noninvasive ventilation were typically employed. All physiotherapists felt themselves capable of initiating noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, compared with 72.6% of physicians and 33.3% of nurses. Physicians and physiotherapists presented high percentages of correct answers when asked about the indications and contraindications for the use of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation. Over a one year period, more physiotherapists read articles about noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation and participated in related classes than did physicians, who in turn did so more than did nurses. CONCLUSION: Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation equipment is widely available in the greater metropolitan area of São Paulo, although differences exist among public, private and teaching hospitals in terms of the type of equipment used. Physicians and physiotherapists exhibited considerable knowledge regarding the indications and contraindications for the use of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation. More physiotherapists felt themselves able to initiate noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation, and their knowledge of the subject was more current than was that of physicians or nurses.