[Correlation between pulmonary function, posture, and body composition in patients with asthma]. / Correlação entre função pulmonar, postura e composição corporal em pacientes com asma.

AIM: Asthma may result in postural disorders due to increased activity of accessory respiratory muscles and hyperinflation. Our primary objective was to assess the correlation between pulmonary function and posture in adult patients with asthma. Secondarily, we aimed to study the correlation between body composition and body posture in this group of patients. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study including 34 patients with asthma who were subjected to postural assessment (photogrammetry), pulmonary function testing (spirometry, whole-body plethysmography, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, and respiratory muscle strength), and body composition estimation by means of bioelectrical impedance. RESULTS: Most patients were female (70.6%) with a median age of 32.5 years (range: 23-42 years old). We found a significant correlation between horizontal alignment of head (anterior view) and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC; ρ=-0,37; P=.03), total lung capacity (TLC; ρ=0,42; P=.01), and residual volume (RV; ρ=0,45; P<.001). Bronchial obstruction and respiratory muscle strength variables also correlated with postural assessment measures on the right and left lateral views. Both body mass index and the percentage of fat mass correlated with horizontal alignment of head, horizontal alignment of the pelvis, and the frontal angle of the lower limbs. CONCLUSION: Adult patients with asthma exhibit specific postural disorders that correlate with pulmonary function and body composition. The assessment of postural variables may provide a better pulmonary rehabilitation approach for these patients.

Association among posture, lung function and functional capacity in cystic fibrosis.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlations within pulmonary function, functional capacity, and posture in adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). A secondary aim was to evaluate the correlation between patient quality of life and postural assessment variables. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted on fourteen patients with CF. Patients were subjected to a postural analysis (postural assessment software) and measurements of pulmonary function (spirometry, whole body plethysmography, and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity) and functional capacity (6-min walking test). All patients completed the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R). RESULTS: Most patients were male (57%), and the median age of the patients was 24.5 (22-34). The forced expiratory volume in one second, the 6-min walking distance, total lung capacity, and airway resistance were significantly correlated with the vertical alignment of the chest (ρ = -0.57, P < 0.05; ρ = -0.65, P < 0.01; ρ = 0.54, P < 0.05; and ρ = 0.67, P < 0.01, respectively). The 'physical' domain of the CFQ-R was significantly correlated with the vertical alignment of the chest (ρ = -0.74, P < 0.01), and the 'limitations' domain of the CFQ-R was significantly correlated with the angle of the hip (ρ = -0.55, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study shows that abnormalities in pulmonary function and functional capacity are associated with postural changes in adults with CF. However the severity of the postural abnormalities does not negatively influence the CFQ-R domains.