Physical and functional evaluation of patients in palliative care in a university hospital

• Autor(a) principal: Hamouche, Loren
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Outros Autores: Barbosa de Carvalho, Larissa, Cunha Nascimento Amaral, Thamara, Wagner, Debora, Barbosa de Almeida, Leonardo, Fernandes Trevizan, Patricia
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: HU Revista (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.ufjf.br/index.php/hurevista/article/view/34119
• topic: Palliative Care; Functional Physical Performance; Muscle Weakness; Cuidados paliativos. Rendimiento físico funcional. Debilidad muscular.; Cuidados Paliativos; Desempenho Físico Funcional; Debilidade Muscular

Introduction: The knowledge of the physical/functional characteristics of patients in palliative care is essential for the development of the physical therapy treatment plan for this population. Objectives: To characterize the physical and functional condition of patients in palliative care at the University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, Santa Catarina unit. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Thirty one patients were initially screened and twenty seven patients completed the study. All patients underwent the following assessments: level of consciousness (Glasgow Coma Scale); symptoms (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System); airway protection (Peak Flow); peripheral (handgrip and Medical Research Council) and respiratory muscle strength (maximum inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure); functional mobility and performance status (Functional Status Score scale; Palliative Performance Scale and Karnofsky Performance Status). Results: Inspiratory and expiratory muscle weakness were identified, respectively, in 69% and 85% of patients and peripheral muscle weakness was observed in 63% of the sample. Impairment of airway protection occurred in 79% of patients. Impairment of functional mobility was identified in 64% of the sample, while 63% (Palliative Performance Scale) and 67% (Karnofsky Performance Status) showed reduced performance status. Some symptoms of pain, fatigue and dyspnea were reported by 100% of patients who responded to the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System. A very strong association was observed between performance status and functional mobility. Performance status and functional mobility were strongly and/or very strongly associated with peripheral muscle strength, respiratory muscle strength, and airway protection. Conclusion: Most patients had reduced performance status. The patients also presented severe damage of airway protection; respiratory and peripheral muscle weakness; functional impairment; and presence of physical symptoms.