Physical and pulmonary capacities of individuals with severe coronavirus disease after hospital discharge: A preliminary cross-sectional study based on cluster analysis

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the physical and pulmonary capacities of hospitalized patients with severe coronavirus disease and its correlation with the time of hospitalization and complications involved. METHODS: A total of 54 patients, aged ≥18 years of both sexes, were evaluated 2-4 months after hospital discharge in São Paulo, Brazil. The physical characteristics analyzed were muscle strength, balance, flexibility, and pulmonary function. The K-means cluster algorithm was used to identify patients with similar physical and pulmonary capacities, related to the time of hospitalization. RESULTS: Two clusters were derived using the K-means algorithm. Patients allocated in cluster 1 had fewer days of hospitalization, intensive care, and intubation than those in cluster 2, which reflected a better physical performance, strength, balance, and pulmonary condition, even 2-4 months after discharge. Days of hospitalization were inversely related to muscle strength, physical performance, and lung function: hand grip D (r=−0.28, p=0.04), Short Physical Performance Battery score (r=−0.28, p=0.03), and forced vital capacity (r=−0.29, p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Patients with a longer hospitalization time and complications progressed with greater loss of physical and pulmonary capacities.

Bone mineral density and body composition in elderly runners: six-year follow-up / Densidade mineral óssea e composição corporal de idosos corredores: follow-up de seis anos

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition over a six-year period in elderly long-distance runners. Methods: We analyzed the medical records of elderly athletes who were long-distance runners, were participants of the IOT-HCFMUSP Orthogeriatric Group, and had their BMD evaluated between 2001 and 2007; of these athletes, 11 were included in the study. Inclusion criteria: athletes should be long-distance runners, should not stop long-distance running during the six-year period, and should have undergone BMD and body composition evaluations. Body composition was evaluated using bone densitometry with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry with a Lunar-DPX device. Results: Over the six-year period, body composition remained stable, but there was a significant increase only in the fat percentage (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Long-distance running may maintain BMD but may lead to an increase in the fat percentage in elderly runners. Level of Evidence II; Prognostic Study - Investigating the Effect of Patient Characteristics on Disease Outcome.

RESUMO Objetivo: Acompanhar a densidade mineral óssea (DMO) e a composição corporal, ao longo de seis anos, em idosos corredores de longa distância. Métodos: analisamos os prontuários médicos de um grupo de atletas idosos, corredores de longa distância, participantes do Grupo de Ortogeriatria do IOT-HC-FMUSP, e reunimos todos os atletas que tiveram a DMO avaliada no ano de 2001 e de 2007, sendo destes, 11 prontuários selecionados. Critérios de inclusão: ser corredor de longa distância; não parar de correr ao longo dos seis anos e ter os dois exames de DMO e composição corporal avaliados. A composição corporal foi avaliada por meio de densitometria óssea, com uma dupla energia de absorção de raios-X (DEXA), em um aparelho LUNAR-DPX. Resultados: Ao longo dos seis anos, a composição corpórea se manteve estável, havendo apenas um aumento significante na gordura expressa em (%) (p=0,003). Conclusão: A corrida de longa distância parece conservar a DMO de idosos corredores, porém com aumento de gordura. Nível do Evidência II; Estudos prognósticos - Investigação do efeito de características de um paciente sobre o desfecho da doença.