ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Measurement of exercise capacity is an integral element to assess patients after surgery. Although the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) provides information regarding functional capacity, response to therapy, and prognosis across a range of conditions, its applicability for liver transplant recipients remains to be established. The aim of our study was to examine whether the 6MWT in combination with a subjective rating of perceived exertion (Borg Scale [BS]) could be used to evaluate exercise capacity among patients after liver transplantation (OLT). METHODS: Thirteen consecutive subjects were enrolled in this single-center study during routine rehabilitation of the 6MWT and BS. At days 7 and 14 after OLT seeking to assess objective and subjective exercise capacities, we recorded basic clinical parameters, including body weight, blood pressure, heart rate and temperature. The results as compared between days 7 and 14 were related to the reference values for age-, height- and weight-matched healthy subjects. RESULTS: On day 7, normal 6MWT was achieved by one patient and at day 14-, by three patients. At days 7 and 14, the average distances of 6MWT were 326.7 m and 421 m, respectively (P<.05), indicating a significant increase in exercise capacity. The average BS rating did not change significantly between days 7 and 14, indicating, that the increased exercise capacity was achieved without excessive effort. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that the 6MWT and BS may represent inexpensive and safe assessment methods for exercise capacity after OLT. This evaluation may be helpful to plan and optimize post-OLT rehabilitation.
Subject(s)
Exercise Test/methods , Liver Transplantation/rehabilitation , Adult , Blood Pressure , Exercise Tolerance/physiology , Female , Heart Rate , Humans , Liver Transplantation/physiology , Liver Transplantation/psychology , Male , Middle Aged , Perception , Time Factors , Walking/physiologyABSTRACT
78 children were subjected to an analysis of the genetic and environmental conditions which might predispose them to allergy. Some of the parameters of cellular and humoral immunity were estimated. Among the examined children there was a predominance of boys. 46,9% of all the children had a family history of allergy. Most of the children were bottle fed from birth. Some children had abnormalities of the cell-mediated and humoral immunity.
