Effects of Aerobic Training in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: Seventy patients classified with AS by the modified New York criteria were included. The patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The intervention group (IG) performed 50 min of walking followed by stretching exercises 3 times a week for 12 weeks. The control group (CG) performed only stretching exercises. The outcome measurements were the Bath indexes [Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), and Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI)], Health Assessment Questionnaire for the Spondyloarthropathies (HAQ-S), AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), the 6-min walk test (6MWT), chest expansion, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36. Aerobic capacity was assessed by ergospirometry on a treadmill. Routine laboratory techniques were used in determining lipid levels. Assessments were performed immediately before randomization and after 6, 12, and 24 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were randomized to the IG and 35 to the CG. There was significant improvement in the BASFI, HAQ-S, BASMI, BASDAI, and ASDAS in both groups (p < 0.05), but did not differ between groups. There was a significant increase in the walking distance in the 6MWT in the IG compared with CG (p < 0.001). The IG showed significant improvement in cardiopulmonary capacity compared with CG. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels did not change in either group. CONCLUSION: In patients with AS, aerobic training improved walking distance and aerobic capacity. Aerobic training did not provide additional benefits in functional capacity, mobility, disease activity, quality of life, and lipid levels when compared with stretching exercises alone.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by abnormalities of vascularization that may cause fibrosis of the skin and other organs and lead to dysfunction. It is therefore essential to have tools capable of evaluating function in individuals with this condition. The aim of this study was to translate the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (SHAQ) into Portuguese, adapt it to Brazilian culture and test its validity and reliability. DESIGN AND SETTING: The validation of SHAQ followed internationally accepted methodology, and was performed in university outpatient clinics. METHODS: SHAQ was translated into Portuguese and back-translated. In the cultural adaptation phase, it was applied to 20 outpatients. Items not understood by 20% of the patients were modified and applied to another 20 outpatients. Twenty patients were interviewed on two different occasions to determine the validity and reliability of the questionnaire: two interviewers on the first occasion and one interviewer 14 days later. To determine the external validity, comparisons were made with Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and short form-36 (SF-36). RESULTS: In the interobserver evaluation, Pearson's correlation coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient were both 0.967. In the intraobserver evaluation, Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.735 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.687. Regarding external validity, SHAQ scores were statistically correlated with all measurements, except the general health domain of SF-36 and the work-related score (Q2) of DASH. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of SHAQ proved to be valid and reliable for assessing function in patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese / Tradução e adaptação cultural do Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire para a língua portuguesa

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by abnormalities of vascularization that may cause fibrosis of the skin and other organs and lead to dysfunction. It is therefore essential to have tools capable of evaluating function in individuals with this condition. The aim of this study was to translate the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (SHAQ) into Portuguese, adapt it to Brazilian culture and test its validity and reliability. DESIGN AND SETTING: The validation of SHAQ followed internationally accepted methodology, and was performed in university outpatient clinics. METHODS: SHAQ was translated into Portuguese and back-translated. In the cultural adaptation phase, it was applied to 20 outpatients. Items not understood by 20% of the patients were modified and applied to another 20 outpatients. Twenty patients were interviewed on two different occasions to determine the validity and reliability of the questionnaire: two interviewers on the first occasion and one interviewer 14 days later. To determine the external validity, comparisons were made with Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and short form-36 (SF-36). RESULTS: In the interobserver evaluation, Pearson's correlation coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient were both 0.967. In the intraobserver evaluation, Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.735 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.687. Regarding external validity, SHAQ scores were statistically correlated with all measurements, except the general health domain of SF-36 and the work-related score (Q2) of DASH. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of SHAQ proved to be valid and reliable for assessing function in patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis. .

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A esclerose sistêmica (ES) é uma doença autoimune caracterizada por anormalidades da vascularização, que podem gerar fibrose da pele e outros órgãos, podendo levar a disfunção. Assim, torna-se imprescindível a elaboração de instrumentos capazes de avaliar a função de indivíduos com ES. O objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir para o português, adaptar à cultura brasileira e testar a validade e confiabilidade do Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (SHAQ). TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: A validação do SHAQ seguiu uma metodologia aceita internacionalmente, e foi realizada nos ambulatórios da universidade. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada tradução e contra-tradução do instrumento. Na fase de adaptação cultural, o SHAQ foi aplicado a 20 pacientes. As questões que apresentaram mais de 20% de incompreensão foram modificadas e aplicadas em outros 20 pacientes. Para validade e confiabilidade, 20 pacientes foram entrevistados em dois momentos: no primeiro, por dois entrevistadores e após 14 dias por um deles. Foram aplicados o Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), o Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) e o short form-36 (SF-36), para a validade externa. RESULTADOS: Na avaliação interobservador, o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson e o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse foram ambos de 0,967. Na avaliação intraobservador o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson foi de 0,735, e o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse foi de 0,687. Na validade externa, os escores do SHAQ foram associados estatisticamente com todos os instrumentos, exceto com o domínio estado geral de saúde do SF-36 e o escore relacionado ao trabalho (Q2) do DASH. CONCLUSÃO: A versão brasileira do SHAQ mostrou ser válida ...