Chronic low back pain and physical activity among patients within the Brazilian National Health System: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: This study was based on filling a gap in our knowledge regarding the issue of what the protective effect of physical exercise on patients within the Brazilian National Health System could be, in relation to low back pain. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of chronic low back pain (CLBP) and to analyze the protective effect of physical exercise among patients over 50 years old attended at primary healthcare units (PHUs). DESIGN AND SETTING: Analytical cross-sectional study at Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) that was conducted in two PHUs (Parque Cedral and Vila Real), located in different regions of the city of Presidente Prudente, Brazil. METHODS: In total, 327 patients were interviewed and evaluated at which retrospective characteristics covering the previous 12 months. The Nordic questionnaire was used to classify CLBP, and the Baecke questionnaire for physical activity level. The body mass index (kg/m2) was calculated using body mass and height values, both collected at the time of the interview. RESULTS: High prevalence of low back pain was found; 175 patients (53.5%) reported having had at least one episode of low back pain in the previous year. Of these, 71 (21.7%) answered yes to all four questions on the Nordic questionnaire and were classified as CLBP. Physical exercise remained associated with CLBP, independent of other factors (odds ratio = 0.35; 95% confidence interval = 0.15-0.80). CONCLUSION: High prevalence of low back pain was identified among PHU users. Physical exercise was associated as an independent protective factor against this pathological condition.

Changes in leisure physical activity, commuting and television watching in men and women users of the Brazilian National Health System in a middle-sized city: 18-months of follow-up / Mudanças na atividade física de lazer, locomoção e tempo de televisão entre homens e mulheres usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde em uma cidade de médio porte: seguimento de 18 meses

Abstract Given the importance of physical activity for health promotion and for the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases, the Unified Health System (SUS) has changed its strategy of action in the last decades, trying to adopt preventive activities, seeking better quality of life of the Brazilian population and reduce costs with treatment of diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns in users of the Brazilian National Unified Health System during 18 months and the impact of sex and time on such variables. One hundred and ninety-eight participants (58 men and 140 women) were evaluated. Physical activity level was assessed using the Baecke questionnaire. Men had higher scores in all physical activity variables compared to women: walking (p-value= 0.013), cycling (p-value= 0.001) and commuting (p-value= 0.007), but not for TV watching (p-value= 0.362). After 18 months, in the overall sample, walking score increased 25.9% (95%CI= 10.6 to 41.1), but not cycling (1.5% [95%CI= -2.7 to 5.7]), commuting (14.4% [95%CI= -0.4 to 29.3]) and TV watching (1.6% [95%CI= -5.7 to 9.1]). Men were usually more active than women in active behaviors, but not in TV watching. However, differences over time were similar between sexes.

Resumo Dada a importância da atividade física para promoção da saúde, assim como para a prevenção de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) mudou a estratégia de atuação nas últimas décadas, procurando adotar atividades preventivas, buscando melhorar a qualidade de vida da população brasileira e diminuir gastos com tratamento de doenças. Objetivou-se investigar as mudanças na prática de atividade física e tempo de televisão em usuários do SUS durante um período de 18 meses e o impacto do sexo e tempo nessas variáveis. Foram avaliados 198 participantes (58 homens e 140 mulheres). Nível de atividade física foi mensurado através do questionário de Baecke. Homens apresentaram maiores escores em todas as variáveis de atividade física: caminhada (p-valor 0,013), ciclismo (p-valor 0,001) e locomoção (p-valor 0,007) do que mulheres, mas não para assistir televisão (p-valor= 0,362). Após 18 meses, em toda a amostra, o escore de caminhada aumentou 25,9% (IC95%= 10,6 - 41,1), mas não ciclismo (1,5% [95%CI= -2,7 - 5,7]), locomoção (14,4% [95%CI= -0,4 - 29,3]) e televisão (1,6% [95%CI= -5,7 - 9,1]). Entre usuários do SUS, homens foram usualmente mais ativos que mulheres em comportamentos ativos, mas não ao assistir televisão. Porém, diferenças ao longo do tempo foram similares entre os sexos.

Association between sleep disorders and chronic diseases in patients of the brazilian national health system / Associação entre distúrbios do sono e doenças crônicas em pacientes do sistema único de saúde

ABSTRACT Many factors are associated with sleep disorders, causing an increase in health spending. The objective of this study was to analyze the association of sleep disorders and non-communicablechronic diseases in patients over 50 years of age, attended by Basic Health Care Units of Presidente Prudente. In total, 363 patients participated. The history of diseases was self-reported through the use of a questionnaire, the level of physical activity was evaluated by the Baecke questionnaire, and sleep quality was assessed using the Mini-Sleep Questionnaire. Anthropometric and body composition data were collected using a stadiometer and scale; patients in the highest (75th) percentile were considered obese. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t test, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression. The results showed that sleep disorders are associated with osteoporosis, arthritis/osteoarthritis, low back pain, depression, and obesity. Additionally, obesity and physical inactivity influence the occurrence of non-communicable chronic diseases.

RESUMO Inúmeros fatores estão associados aos distúrbios do sono ocasionando o aumento nos gastos com saúde. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar a associação dos distúrbios do sono e doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em pacientes com idade superior a 50 anos atendidos por Unidades Básicas de Saúde de Presidente Prudente. Participaram 363 pacientes. O histórico de doenças foi auto relatada a partir da aplicação de questionário, o nível de atividade física foi verificado através do questionário de Baecke, e a qualidade do sono foi avaliada utilizando o Mini-Sleep questionnaire. Dados antropométricos e de composição corporal foram coletados utilizando estadiômetro e balança, foram considerados obesos os pacientes dentro do percentil 75. A análise estatística foi composta pelos testes t de Student, qui-quadrado, e regressão logística binária. Os resultados mostraram que o distúrbio do sono está associado as doenças osteoporose, artrite/artrose, dor lombar, depressão e obesidade. Adicionalmente obesidade e inatividade física influenciam na ocorrência de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis.

Association between osteoporosis, health-related productivity loss and use of hospital services in outpatients of the Brazilian National Health System

Aims: To analyze factors associated with osteoporosis among outpatients of the Brazilian National Health System and to identify their association with hospital and labor economic outcomes. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out in the city of Presidente Prudente / SP. The sample consisted of 542 adults of both sexes and aged ≥ 50 years old. The occurrence of osteoporosis, health-related productivity loss, use of hospital services and level of physical activity were assessed using questionnaires. Statistical analysis was composed of chi-square test, binary logistic regression and Mann-Whitney test. The significance level adopted was p-value <0.05. Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis was 14.4% (95% CI: 11.4% - 17.3%) and it was associated with female sex (p = 0.001), lower economic status (p-value = 0.036) and obesity (p-value = 0.003). Participants with osteoporosis showed a higher incidence of surgery in the last 12 months (OR = 2.13 [1.04 to 4.35]), productivity loss (OR = 1.91 [1.13 to 3.42]) and disability retirement (OR = 2.03 [1.20 to 3.43]). Over the past 12 months, the sum of direct and indirect economic loss was R$ 1,382,630.00. Conclusion: The female sex, lower economic status and obesity were associated with a higher occurrence of osteoporosis, and consequent higher use of hospital services and significant economic losses.(AU)

Predictors of the functional reach test in people with parkinson's disease / Preditores do desempenho no teste de alcance funcional em pessoas com doença de parkinson

ABSTRACT Postural instability, a fundamental signal/symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD), is characterized by the association between postural alignment, joint range of motion, and muscular rigidity. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between performance in the functional reach test (FRT) and associated factors such as joint range of motion and PD clinical features. Twenty-five people with PD in stages 1 and 1.5 of the Hoehn & Yahr scale participated in the study. The analyzed dependent variables were: FRT performance and scores in the items of clinical evaluation of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale: pull-test, motor rigidity, and motor condition were used. The average distance in the FRT was 25.3 cm and the mean anterior-posterior displacement of the center of pressure was 2.69 cm. The ankle range of motion was associated with FRT performance, while postural stability was associated with the anterior-posterior displacement of the center of pressure during the FRT. We conclude that FRT performance in people with PD is determined by the individual level of balance and by the ankle joint amplitude and muscular rigidity and functional alterations due to aging are responsible for FRT performance.

RESUMO A instabilidade postural, um sinal/sintoma cardinal da doença de Parkinson (DP), é caracterizada pela associação entre alinhamento postural, amplitude de movimento e rigidez muscular. O objetivo foi analisar a relação entre o desempenho no teste de alcance funcional (TAF) e fatores relacionados a amplitude de movimento e aspectos clínicos da doença. Participaram 25 pessoas com DP nos estágios 1,0 e 1,5 da Hoehn e Yahr. As variáveis dependentes analisadas foram: desempenho no TAF e as pontuações nos itens da avaliação clínica da UnifiedParkinson'sDisease Rating Scale: teste de retropulsão, rigidez muscular e condição motora. A distância média no TAF foi de 25,3 cm e o deslocamento anteroposterior médio do centro de pressão foi de 2,69 cm. A amplitude de movimento articular do tornozelo está associada ao desempenho no TAF, enquanto a estabilidade postural está associada ao deslocamento anteroposterior do centro de pressão durante o TAF. Conclui-se que o desempenho no TAF em pessoas com DP é determinado pelo nível individual de equilíbrio e pela amplitude articular do tornozelo e a rigidez muscular e alterações funcionais do envelhecimento são responsáveis pelo desempenho no TAF.