ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To establish correlations between nutritional, functional and respiratory indices of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHOD: Twenty patients (13 appendicular - GA and 7 bulbar - GB) were included in the multidisciplinary study at the Neurological Clinic Ambulatory of the University of Campinas Hospital. RESULTS: Among the GA type significant correlation was observed between maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory (MEP) pressure (r= -0.76), MEP and pulse oxymetry (r=0.58), MIP and percent weight loss ( percentWL; r=0.59), and between MIP, total and subscale respiratory scores (ALSFRS-R) with percentWL. With regard to the GB, correlation was found between MEP and body mass index (BMI) (r=0.97). In both GA and GB correlations were noticed between the BMI and the variables mass (kg), fat ( percent), arm and wrist circumference (cm), and tricipital, subscapular and supra-iliac skinfolds (mm), as well as the arm muscle circumference (cm) and fatty arm muscular area (mm²). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the application of simple anthropometric measurements could be useful in routine monitoring of patients with ALS.
OBJETIVO: Correlacionar os indicadores utilizados na avaliação nutricional, funcional e respiratória de indivíduos com esclerose lateral amiotrófica (ELA). MÉTODO: Vinte pacientes (13 apendiculares - GA e 7 bulbares - GB) foram incluídos no estudo usando parâmetros nutricionais, respiratórios e escala funcional (ALSFRS-R). RESULTADOS: Entre os pacientes do GA, as correlações observadas foram: pressão inspiratória máxima (PImax) e expiratória máxima (PEmax) (r= -0,76); PEmax e oximetria de pulso (r=0,58); PImax e porcentagem de perda de peso ( por centoPP) (r=0,59); e entre PImax, escore ALSFRS-R com por centoPP. No GB, houve correlação entre MEP e índice de massa corporal (IMC) (r=0,97). Em GA e GB, observaram-se correlação entre IMC e as variáveis: massa, gordura ( por cento), circunferência braquial e punho, pregas cutâneas tricipital, subescapular e supra-ilíaca, circunferência muscular do braço (cm), área muscular gordurosa do braço (mm²). CONCLUSÃO: Sugere-se a aplicação deste conjunto de medidas durante a evolução clínica de indivíduos com ELA.