Body Weight May Have a Role on Neuropathy and Mobility after Moderate to Severe COVID-19: An Exploratory Study.

Background and Objectives: Among the extra-pulmonary manifestations of COVID-19, neuromuscular signs and symptoms are frequent. We aimed to assess the correlation between neuromuscular abnormalities (electrophysiological) and mobility measures (Berg Balance Scale and Timed-Up-and-Go test) twice, at least 6 weeks after hospital discharge and 6 months later, taking into account cognitive performance, nutrition, muscle strength, and submaximal exercise capacity. Materials and Methods: 43 patients (51.4 ± 9.3 years old) accepted to participate in the study; they had a dyspnea score ≤ 3 (Borg scale), and no history of neurology/neuromuscular/orthopedic disorders, but high frequency of overweight/obesity and weight loss during hospital stay. The two evaluations included physical examination, cognitive assessment, nutritional evaluation, muscle strength (hand-grip and quadriceps dynamometry), electromyography, Barthel Index, Six-Minute- Walk-Test (6MWT), Berg Balance Scale and Timed-Up-and-Go test. Bivariate and repeated measures covariance analyses were performed (significance level of 0.05). Results: Electrophysiological abnormalities were evident in 67% of the patients, which were associated with diminished performance on the 6MWT, the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed-Up-and-Go test. At each evaluation and between evaluations, scores on the Berg Balance Scale were related to the body mass index (BMI) at hospital admission and the 6MWT (MANCoVA R ≥ 0.62, p = 0.0001), while the time to perform the Timed-Up-and-Go test was related to the electrophysiological abnormalities, weight loss during hospital stay, sex, handgrip strength, and the 6MWT (MANCoVA, R ≥ 0.62, p < 0.0001). We concluded that, after hospital discharge, patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 may have neuromuscular abnormalities that can be related to BMI/weight loss, and contribute to mobility decrease. In patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 and high BMI/ large weight loss, neuromuscular and intended mobility assessments could be required to provide early rehabilitation. Apart from the 6MWT, handgrip dynamometry and the Timed-Up-and-Go test were useful tools to quickly assess fitness and mobility.

Highlights of the 'I Congress ecancer Choosing Wisely' March 30 and 31, 2022 Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

The ecancer 'Choosing Wisely' conference was held for the first time in Latin America in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The event had more than 150 registered attendees in addition to 22 speakers from different countries and different specialities in the field of oncology, who presented topics on prevention, oncological surgery, clinical oncology and palliative care, in order to demonstrate the current evidence of how to approach a patient in daily clinical practice based on the human resources, materials and drugs available, trying to offer the maximum benefit to the patient based on current scientific evidence. In addition to addressing issues of vital importance in breast cancer, during the 2 days of the event, updated information generated in recent years was presented, the results of which will change clinical practice. All the experts were in favour of developing strategies and methods that help us to properly select treatments to optimise resources and reduce the economic toxicity of the most modern and current treatments. This conference was an event of vital importance because it was the first face-to-face event for ecancer and the physicians after difficult years due to COVID-19.