Objective: To evaluate the effect of chemotherapy on the physical condition of patients with advanced lung cancer. Methods: We evaluated 50 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (in stages IIIB and IV) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status scale scores between zero and two. All patients underwent chemotherapy using paclitaxel and platinum derivatives and were evaluated at three time points (prechemotherapy, postchemotherapy and six months after starting the treatment), at which the ECOG scale, the body mass index (BMI) and the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) were assessed. Results: Of the 50 patients included in the study, 14 died, 5 were excluded due to the worsening of their performance status, and 31 completed the six-month follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference between the time points of assessment for BMI (prechemotherapy vs. postchemotherapy, p = 1.00; and prechemotherapy vs. six months later, p = 0.218) or for 6MWD. Performance status improved, and this was especially due to the increase in the number of asymptomatic patients after the six-month follow-up (p = 0.031). Conclusions: Chemotherapy had a beneficial effect on the performance status of the patients. No significant changes in BMI or 6MWD were found during the study period, which might suggest the maintenance of the physical condition of the patients.

Keywords: Drug therapy; Lung neoplasms; Exercise tolerance.

Objective: Elevated values of body mass index (BMI) have been associated with higher prevalence of asthma in adults. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the association between obesity and asthma severity. Methods: Medical records of two hundred patients older than 20 years of age were evaluated retrospectively. Asthma severity was established after the evaluation of the medical history and diagnosis recorded, spirometry results and the medicines prescribed. BMI was calculated and patients were classified as obese when the BMI was ≥ 30 kg/m2. Results: 23% of the patients presented intermittent asthma, 25.5% presented mild persistent asthma, 24% presented moderate persistent asthma, and 27.5% presented severe persistent asthma. Values of BMI ≤ 29.9 kg/m2 were observed in 68% of the patients and in 32% the BMI was ≥ 30 kg/m2. The odds ratio of the correlation between obesity and asthma severity was 1.17 (95% CI: 0.90-1.53; p > 0.05). Conclusions: In the sample evaluated in this study no correlation between obesity and asthma severity was found for either gender.

Keywords: Asthma; Body mass index, Sex distribution; Obesity.

Objective: Although lean body mass (LBM) has been associated with mortality in patients with COPD, its influence on functional limitation is not clear. The objective of this study was to analyze the cardiopulmonary variables in COPD patients with or without LBM depletion, prior to and after the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Methods: We evaluated COPD patients, 32 with LBM depletion and 36 without. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, spirometry, evaluation of body mass composition and 6MWT, as well as completing questionnaires related to quality of life and perception of dyspnea. Results: No significant differences in the severity of airway obstruction, perception of dyspnea and quality of life scores were found between the groups. The distance covered on the 6MWT was similar in COPD patients with and without LBM depletion (470.3 ± 68.5 m vs. 448.2 ± 89.2 m). However, patients with LBM depletion presented significantly greater differences between baseline and final values in terms of heart rate and Borg scale index for lower limb fatigue. There was a significant positive correlation between distance covered on the 6MWT and FEV1 (r = 0.381, p = 0.01).Conclusions: In the patients studied, functional exercise tolerance and quality of life were unaffected by LBM depletion. However, the patients with LBM depletion presented more pronounced lower limb fatigue during the 6MWT, which underscores the importance of the evaluation and treatment of systemic manifestations in COPD patients.

Keywords: Body mass index; Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Exercise tolerance.

Objective: Adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) improves survival of patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the cisplatin-vinorelbine regimen has been associated with a significant risk of clinically relevant toxicity. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and feasibility of AC for NSCLC patients in a real-world setting. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of patients with stage I-III NSCLC undergoing surgery with curative intent between 2009 and 2018. AC was administered at the discretion of physicians. The patients were divided into two groups: AC group and no AC (control) group. Study outcomes included overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), as well as the safety profile and feasibility of the cisplatin-vinorelbine regimen in a real-world setting. Results: The study involved 231 patients, 80 of whom received AC. Of those, 55 patients received the cisplatin-vinorelbine regimen. Survival analyses stratified by tumor stage showed that patients with stage II NSCLC in the AC group had better RFS (p = 0.036) and OS (p = 0.017) than did those in the no AC group. Among patients with stage III NSCLC in the AC group, RFS was better (p < 0.001) and there was a trend toward improved OS (p = 0.060) in comparison with controls. Of those who received the cisplatin-vinorelbine regimen, 29% had grade 3-4 febrile neutropenia, and 9% died of toxicity. Conclusions: These results support the benefit of AC for NSCLC patients in a real-world setting. However, because the cisplatin-vinorelbine regimen was associated with alarming rates of toxicity, more effective and less toxic alternatives should be investigated.

Keywords: Lung neoplasms; Chemotherapy, adjuvant; Cisplatin/toxicity; Vinorelbine/toxicity.

Objective: To determine the cut-off point for the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) that indicates lower survival time in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in Brazil. Methods: This was retrospective study carried out in two referral centers for IPF. The 6MWT was performed twice, considering the highest value of the 6MWD. Various cut-off points were estimated, in absolute values and in percentage of predicted values, using ROC curves, the Kaplan-Meier method, and data from other studies. Results: The sample comprised 70 patients with IPF. The mean age was 71.9 ± 6.4 years, and 50 patients (71.4%) were male. The mean FVC was 76.6 ± 18.2% of predicted value. The mean SpO2 at rest before and after 6MWT were 93.8 ± 2.5% and 85.3 ± 6.5%, respectively. The median survival time was 44 months (95% CI: 37-51 months). The mean 6MWD was 381 ± 115 m (79.2 ± 24.0% of predicted). After the analyses, the best cut-off points for estimating survival were 6MWD < 330 m and < 70% of predicted. The median survival time of patients with a 6MWD < 330 m was 24 months (95% CI: 3-45 months), whereas that of those with a 6MWD ≥ 330 m was 59 months (95% CI: 41-77 months; p = 0.009). Similarly, the median survival times of those with a 6MWD < 70% and ≥ 70% of predicted, respectively, were 24 months (95% CI: 13-35 months) and 59 months (95% CI: 38-80 months; p = 0.013). Cox multivariate regression models including age, sex, smoking status, SpO2 at the end of the 6MWT, and FVC% showed that 6MWD remained significantly associated with survival (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Values of 6MWD < 330 m and < 70% of predicted value were associated with lower survival time in IPF patients in Brazil.

Keywords: Lung diseases, interstitial; Pulmonary fibrosis; Exercise tolerance.

Objective: To evaluate physical performance on the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and to investigate its relationship with quality of life (QoL). To identify predictors of exercise performance, we also investigated whether six-minute walk distance (6MWD) is associated with clinical and spirometric findings. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (age,  18 years), with at least one respiratory symptom for  2 years and an FEV1  70% of predicted. Patients underwent clinical evaluation, pulmonary function tests, the 6MWT, and QoL assessment with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results: We included 70 patients (48 females). Mean age was 54.5 ± 17.7 years, and mean FEV1 was 44.9 ± 14.5% of predicted. The patients were divided into two groups: 6MWD-low (6MWD below the predicted lower limit; n = 23); and 6MWD-norm (normal 6MWD; n = 47). The following variables were significantly lower in the 6MWD-low group than in the 6MWD-norm group: age; age at diagnosis of bronchiectasis; proportion of former smokers; body mass index (BMI); FEV1% of predicted; and MEP% of predicted. There were no significant differences in the SF-36 scores between the groups. In the logistic regression model, lower age and lower BMI were significantly associated with lower 6MWD. Conclusions: In this sample, there was a high proportion of patients who had a lower than expected 6MWD. Although 6MWD was not related to QoL, it was associated with age and BMI.

Keywords: Bronchiectasis; Quality of life; Respiratory function tests; Exercise tolerance.

For patients with stage III (A or B) non-small cell lung cancer, radiation is still the standard treatment. However, long-term survival remains poor and new alternatives and therapeutic associations are being studied. Recently, chemotherapy has been in focus, with several combinations with radiation therapy and/or surgery. An update of the recently published data about the controversies on whether or not one should combine chemotherapy with radiation in locally advanced lung tumors was done. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens combined with radiation are favorable, with a possible increase in survival of 3% in 2 years and 2% in 5 years. Neither the best drug combination nor the ideal association regimen have been defined yet. The indication of a combined treatment must be based on patient's clinical conditions and on a balance between quality of life, toxicity, and cost of chemotherapy.

Keywords: Lung neoplasms. Radiation therapy. Chemotherapy.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and asthma, according to body mass index (BMI), as well as to evaluate factors associated with physician-diagnosed asthma, in individuals ≥ 40 years of age. Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in Florianópolis, Brazil, with probability sampling. Data were collected during home visits. Demographic data were collected, as were reports of physician-diagnosed asthma, respiratory symptoms, medications in use, and comorbidities. Anthropometric measurements were taken. Individuals also underwent spirometry before and after bronchodilator administration. Individuals were categorized as being of normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2), overweight (25 kg/m2 ≥ BMI < 30 kg/m2), or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Results: A total of 1,026 individuals were evaluated, 274 (26.7%) were of normal weight, 436 (42.5%) were overweight, and 316 (30.8%) were obese. The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 11.0%. The prevalence of obesity was higher in women (p = 0.03), as it was in respondents with ≤ 4 years of schooling (p < 0.001) or a family income of 3-10 times the national minimum wage. Physician-diagnosed asthma was more common among obese individuals than among those who were overweight and those of normal weight (16.1%, 9.9%, and 8.0%, respectively; p = 0.04), as were dyspnea (35.5%, 22.5%, and 17.9%, respectively; p < 0.001) and wheezing in the last year (25.6%, 11.9%, and 14.6%, respectively; p < 0.001). These results were independent of patient smoking status. In addition, obese individuals were three times more likely to report physician-diagnosed asthma than were those of normal weight (p = 0.005). Conclusions: A report of physician-diagnosed asthma showed a significant association with being ≥ 40 years of age and with having a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Being obese tripled the chance of physician-diagnosed asthma.

Keywords: Obesity; Dyspnea; Cough; Asthma; Smoking.

Objective: To evaluate whether a six-minute walk distance (6MWD) of < 80% of the predicted value can predict the occurrence of acute exacerbations of COPD in patients in Brazil over a 2-year period. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study involving 50 COPD patients in Brazil. At enrollment, anthropometric data were collected and patients were assessed for pulmonary function (by spirometry) and functional exercise capacity (by the 6MWD). The patients were subsequently divided into two groups: 6MWD ≤ 80% of predicted and 6MWD > 80% of predicted. The occurrence of acute exacerbations of COPD over 2 years was identified by analyzing medical records and contacting patients by telephone. Results: In the sample as a whole, there was moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction (mean FEV1 = 41 ± 12% of predicted) and the mean 6MWD was 469 ± 60 m (86 ± 10% of predicted). Over the 2-year follow-up period, 25 patients (50%) experienced acute exacerbations of COPD. The Kaplan-Meier method showed that the patients in whom the 6MWD was ≤ 80% of predicted were more likely to have exacerbations than were those in whom the 6MWD was > 80% of predicted (p = 0.01), whereas the Cox regression model showed that the former were 2.6 times as likely to have an exacerbation over a 2-year period as were the latter (p = 0.02). Conclusions: In Brazil, the 6MWD can predict acute exacerbations of COPD over a 2-year period. The risk of experiencing an acute exacerbation of COPD within 2 years is more than twice as high in patients in whom the 6MWD is ≤ 80% of predicted.

Keywords: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Risk groups; Exercise.

Objective: To cross-culturally adapt the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) for use in Brazil and evaluate the reproducibility of the new (Brazilian Portuguese-language) version. Methods: We selected stable patients with clinical and spirometric diagnosis of COPD. Initially, the DASI was translated into Brazilian Portuguese, and the cross-cultural adaptation was performed by an expert committee. Subsequently, 12 patients completed the questionnaire, so that their questions and difficulties could be identified and adjustments could be made. An independent translator back-translated the final version into English, which was then submitted to and approved by the original author. The final Brazilian Portuguese-language version of the DASI was applied to 50 patients at three distinct times. For the assessment of interobserver reproducibility, it was applied twice within a 30-min interval by two different interviewers. For the assessment of intraobserver reproducibility, it was applied again 15 days later by one of the interviewers. Results: The mean age of the patients was 62.3 ± 10.0 years, the mean FEV1 was 45.2 ± 14.7% of the predicted value, and the mean body mass index was 26.8 ± 5.8 kg/m2. The intraclass correlation coefficients for intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility were 0.95 and 0.90, respectively. The correlations between the DASI and the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) domains were all negative and statistically significant. The DASI correlated best with the SGRQ activity domain (r = −0.70), the total SGRQ score (r = −0.66), and the six-minute walk distance (r = 0.55). Conclusions: The Brazilian Portuguese-language version of the DASI is reproducible, fast, and simple, correlating well with the SGRQ.

Keywords: Activities of daily living; Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Reproducibility of results.

A retrospective study using anthropometric data to assess the evolution of nutritional status in lung transplant candidates who are initially malnourished or overweight. We included patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) < 17 kg/m2 (malnourished, n = 10) or > 27 kg/m2 (overweight, n = 20). Each patient subsequently had three appointments with a nutritionist (nutritional interventions). In the malnourished group, there were no significant post-intervention changes in the anthropometric variables. In the overweight group, however, nutritional intervention had a positive impact on weight, BMI and waist circumference.

Keywords: Lung transplantation; Nutritional status; Body mass index; Anthropometry.

Objective: One of the common limitations after COVID-19 pneumonia is the decrease in exercise capacity. The identification of the factors affecting exercise capacity and the assessment of patients at risk are important for determining treatment strategy. This study was conducted to determine the predictors of decreased exercise capacity in long post-COVID-19 patients. Methods: We investigated the association of exercise capacity as measured by the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) with age, sex, spirometric variables, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, quality of life, fatigue, hospital anxiety depression scale, chest X-ray involvement, and hospitalization. The patients were divided into three groups: outpatients, inpatients, and ICU patients. Regression analysis was used to determine which parameters were significant predictors of exercise capacity. Results: Of the 181 patients included in the study, 56 (31%) were female. The mean ISWT in percentage of predicted values (ISWT%pred) was 43.20% in the whole sample, whereas that was 52.89%, 43.71%, and 32.21% in the outpatient, inpatient, and ICU patient groups, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed that predictors of decreased ISWT%pred were sex (ß = 8.089; p = 0.002), mMRC scale score (ß = -7.004; p = 0.001), FVC%pred (ß = 0.151; p = 0.003), and handgrip strength (ß = 0.261; p = 0.030). Conclusions: In long post-COVID-19 patients, sex, perception of dyspnea, restrictive pattern in respiratory function, and decrease in peripheral muscle strength are predictors of reduced exercise capacity that persists three months after COVID-19. In this context, we suggest that pulmonary rehabilitation might be an important therapy for patients after COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Exercise; Muscle strength; Rehabilitation; Walk test.

Objective: To compare FEV1 and FVC, calculated using three sets of reference equations (devised by Polgar & Promadhat, Hsu et al. and Mallozi in 1971, 1979 and 1995, respectively), and to determine whether the three are similar in predicting lung function in children and adolescents with distinct body mass indices (BMIs). Methods: The individuals were separated into four groups in accordance with the reference standards of the National Center for Health Statistics: underweight (UW), normal weight (NW), overweight (OW), and obese (OB). All were then submitted to spirometry. Results: We evaluated 122 healthy children and adolescents, aged 7-14 years. The FVC values predicted for NW females and UW males through the use of the Hsu et al. equation were significantly higher than the measured values, as were the FEV1 values for UW females and males predicted via the Polgar & Promadhat and Hsu et al. equations. In NW females, the FEV1 values predicted via the Polgar & Promadhat equation were significantly higher than were the measured values. Conclusions: In individuals with distinct BMIs, the measured FVC and FEV1 values were not equivalent to those predicted via the Polgar & Promadhat and Hsu et al. equations. The same was not true for the Mallozi equations. The BMI was not a relevant factor for the predictive index of these equations; therefore, the Mallozi equations can be used without alteration for children and adolescents with distinct BMIs.

Keywords: Spirometry; Reference values; Body mass index; Child; Adolescent.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) in predicting extubation failure among adult patients in the intensive care unit and to determine the appropriateness of the classical RSBI cut-off value. Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in the adult intensive care unit of the Botucatu School of Medicine Hospital das Clínicas. The RSBI was evaluated in 73 consecutive patients considered clinically ready for extubation. Results: The classical RSBI cut-off value (105 breaths/min/L) presented a sensitivity of 20% and a specificity of 95% (sum = 115%). Analysis of the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve revealed a better cut-off value (76.5 breaths/min/L), which presented a sensitivity of 66% and a specificity of 74% (sum = 140%). The area under the ROC curve for the RSBI was 0.78. Conclusions: The classical RSBI cut-off value proved inappropriate, predicting only 20% of the cases of extubation failure in our sample. The new cut-off value provided substantial improvement in sensitivity, with an acceptable loss of specificity. The area under the ROC curve indicated that the discriminative power of the RSBI is satisfactory, which justifies the validation of this index for use.

Keywords: Adult; Intensive care; ROC curve; Ventilator weaning; Diagnosis; Respiration, artificial.

Objective: Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. Most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, palliative chemotherapy therefore being the only treatment option. This study was aimed at evaluating the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of advanced-stage NSCLC patients receiving palliative chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel. Methods: This was a multiple case study of advanced-stage NSCLC outpatients receiving chemotherapy at a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire was used in conjunction with its supplemental lung cancer-specific module in order to assess HRQoL. Results: Physical and cognitive functioning scale scores differed significantly among chemotherapy cycles, indicating improved and worsened HRQoL, respectively. The differences regarding the scores for pain, loss of appetite, chest pain, and arm/shoulder pain indicated improved HRQoL. Conclusions: Chemotherapy was found to improve certain aspects of HRQoL in patients with advanced-stage NSCLC.

Keywords: Carcinoma, non-small-cell lung; Quality of life; Palliative care; Carboplatin; Paclitaxel.

Objective: To compare patients with cystic fibrosis and healthy individuals in terms of their functional performance on the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study involving healthy individuals and patients with cystic fibrosis treated at a referral university hospital in the city of Campinas, Brazil. The 6MWT was administered in accordance with the American Thoracic Society guidelines, and it was repeated after a 30-min rest period. For all of the participants, RR, HR, SpO2, and Borg scale scores were obtained. For the cystic fibrosis patients, nutritional status and spirometric values were determined. Patients with pulmonary exacerbation were excluded. Spearman's correlation coefficient and repeated measures ANOVA were used. Results: The cystic fibrosis group comprised 55 patients, and the control group comprised 185 healthy individuals. The mean ages were 12.2 ± 4.3 and 11.3 ± 4.3 years, respectively. The six-minute walk distance (6MWD) was significantly shorter in the cystic fibrosis group than in the control group for both tests (547.2 ± 80.6 m vs. 610.3 ± 53.4 m for the first and 552.2 ± 82.1 m vs. 616.2 ± 58.0 m for the second; p < 0.0001 for both). The 6MWD correlated with age, weight, and height only in the cystic fibrosis group. During the tests, SpO2 remained stable, whereas HR and RR increased. Conclusions: In our sample, functional performance on the 6MWT was poorer among the cystic fibrosis patients than among the healthy controls in the same age bracket, and we found immediate repetition of the test to be unadvisable.

Keywords: Cystic fibrosis; Exercise tolerance; Dyspnea.

Objective: To evaluate the evolution of clinical and epidemiological data, as well as data related to diagnosis, staging, treatment, and survival, among patients undergoing curative surgery for lung cancer at a tertiary referral center in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: This was a retrospective study of cases in the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer database. We selected only cases of patients undergoing curative surgery between January of 2011 and April of 2018. We determined overall and disease-free survival at 36 months and compared the data between two periods (2011-2014 and 2015-2018). Results: Comparing the two periods (N = 437 cases), we observed trends toward increases in the number of female patients, as well as in the proportions of former smokers (44.09% vs. 53.59%), of patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (52.21% vs. 59.72%), and of patients diagnosed at an earlier pathological stage, together with a decrease in 30-day mortality (4.05% vs. 2.39%). There were significant increases in the proportions of cases diagnosed at an earlier clinical stage (p = 0.002) or incidentally (p = 0.003). Although lobectomy was the main surgical technique employed, there was a proportional increase in segmentectomies (2.67% vs. 7.11%; p = 0.026). Overall and disease-free survival rates were 79.4% (95% CI: 74.0-83.9%) and 75.1% (95% CI: 69.1-80.1%), respectively. The difference in overall survival between the periods lost statistical significance when adjusted for pathological stage, the only factor that affected survival (log-rank: p = 0.038 to p = 0.079). Conclusions: The clinical and epidemiological evolution presented in this study corroborates global trends. The decrease in 30-day mortality was probably due to better patient selection and improved surgical techniques.

Keywords: Lung neoplasms/surgery; Lung neoplasms/epidemiology; Lung neoplasms/therapy; Survival analysis; Thoracic surgery; Thoracic surgery, video-assisted.