Chronic adaptations of lung function in breath-hold diving fishermen.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to verify and analyze the existence of chronic adaptations of lung function in free-diving fishermen whose occupation is artisanal fishing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 11 breath-hold diving fishermen and 10 non-breath-hold diving fishermen (control) from the village of Bitupitá in the municipality of Barroquinha (Ceará - Brazil). Anthropometric measurements, chest and abdominal circumferences as well as spirometric and respiratory muscle strength tests were conducted according to the specifications of the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS). In order to compare the measured values versus the predicted values, Student t test was used in the case of parametric test and Wilcoxon test in the case of nonparametric test. To compare the inter-group means Student t test was used for parametric test and Mann-Whitney test for the nonparametric one. The level of significance was set at α = 5%. RESULTS: The forced vital capacity (FVC) (4.9 ± 0.6 l vs. 4.3 ± 0.4 l) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (4.0 ± 0.5 l vs. 3.6 ± 0.3 l) were, respectively, higher in the group of divers compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, in the group of free divers, the measured FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratios were significantly greater than the predicted ones. No differences were found between the measured respiratory pressures. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that breath-hold diving seems to produce chronic adaptations of the respiratory system, resulting in elevated lung volumes with no airway obstruction.

Adaptações crônicas sobre a função pulmonar em indivíduos infectados pela leishmaniose visceral / Chronic adaptations on lung function in individuals infected with Visceral Leishmaniasis

INTRODUÇÃO: Apesar de escassas, as principais alterações cardiopulmonares verificadas durante a infecção com Leishmaniose Visceral (LV) se referem a alterações histológicas e imunológicas e poucos relatos de repercussões funcionais. OBJETIVO: Verificar e analisar a existência de adaptações crônicas na função pulmonar de indivíduos assintomáticos previamente infectados pela LV. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo do tipo transversal descritivo, para o qual foram selecionados todos os indivíduos que contraíram LV em Parnaíba (Piauí, Brasil) entre 2007 e 2010 de acordo com informações do Setor de Epidemiologia do município. De um total de 20 indivíduos com confirmação parasitológica de LV, foram avaliados nove com idades entre 18 e 62 anos entre setembro e outubro de 2011. Excluíram-se indivíduos que não apresentaram diagnóstico parasitológico de LV, doenças ou sintomas cardiorrespiratórios recentes, usuários crônicos de drogas ilícitas e gestantes. Foram realizadas medidas antropométricas e testes de espirometria e de manovacuometria conforme especificações da American Thoracic Society / European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS). Para comparação das médias dos valores medidos e preditos foi realizado Teste t Student para dados dependentes. O nível de significância adotado foi p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: A Capacidade Vital Forçada (CVF) (3,8 ± 0,9 vs. 4,2 ± 0,8 L) e o Volume Expiratório Forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) (3,3 ± 0,7 vs. 3,5 ± 0,7 L) foram estatisticamente menores do que os valores medidos (p < 0,01). A relação VEF1/CVF (87,6 vs. 84,4%) foi maior nos valores medidos (p = 0,08). CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de o número de indivíduos avaliados ser pequeno, os dados indicam que a infecção por LV parece desenvolver adaptações crônicas sobre o sistema respiratório, resultando em volumes pulmonares significativamente diminuídos e uma tendência a padrões respiratórios restritivos.

INTRODUCTION: Although scarce, the main changes observed during cardiopulmonary infection with Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) refer to histological and immunological and few reports of functional repercussions. OBJECTIVE: To verify and analyze the existence of chronic adaptations in pulmonary function in individuals who have been infected by VL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study, which evaluated nine people aged between 18 and 62 years. Anthropometric measurements and spirometry and manometer tests were performed according to the specifications of the American Thoracic Society / European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS). For comparison of the measured and predicted values was performed Student t test for dependent data. The level of significance was p < 0.05. RESULTS: The Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) (3,8 ± 0,9 ± 0,8 vs. 4,2 l) and Forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1) (3,3 ± 0,7 ± 0,7 vs. 3,5 l) were statistically smaller in measured values (p < 0.05). The FEV1/FVC ratio (87.6 vs. 84.4%) was higher in the measured values (p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: The data indicate that infection with VL seems to develop chronic adaptations on the respiratory system, resulting in decreased lung volumes and a tendency to restrictive breathing patterns.